Powerful, Uplifting, Unforgettable, Diverse, Altering, Astonishing! These are all words used by the U.S. Spiritan-led groups who traveled to Portugal for two weeks before and during World Youth Day. 

Bringing together students and staff from Holy Ghost Prep and Duquesne University along with 3 U.S. Spiritans, Fr. Honest Munishi, C.S.Sp., Fr. Daniel Sormani, C.S.Sp., and seminarian Matt Broeren, C.S.Sp., this was a transformative journey that had strong Spiritan influences. 

Before the week of World Youth Day began in Lisbon, Portugal, the pilgrims gathered with other Spiritans in the Province of Portugal for a time of Familia Una (One Family). They stayed with host families, participated in activities, made friends from all over the world and visited sites like the Camino de Santiago and Our Lady of Fatima Shrine.

 “The Familia Una experience was uniquely Spiritan. The time we spent in community with our friends from Taiwan, Portugal, and other countries - especially our activity times and evening services - will always live in my heart. Having been part of the Spiritan community for the majority of my formative years as a Holy Ghost Prep student and a Duquesne student, I was delighted to meet more Spiritan priests, lay, and sisters in Portugal. I truly consider the wonderful people I met on this trip as new members of my family - our family!” said Tony Carbino, Masters student at Duquesne.



It was an amazing time to experience other cultures and build new friendships. The Party of Nations was one of the favorite activities from this Pre-WYD time. 

“It was so heartwarming and joyful seeing how everyone was so proud to share their culture and teach us about it as well as seeing how excited others were to learn about other cultures,” said Duquesne junior Elisha Schoeneck.

“It was especially fun to share in the nations party with every group’s cuisine and dancing,” said Duquesne senior Hannah Valenty.

Many of the pilgrims also remarked about how welcomed and loved they felt with their host families and how many friends they met from so many different backgrounds. 

“It was wonderful getting to know all of our hosts and fellow guests. Everyone from the Spiritan coordinators to my host family were so welcoming. Some of my favorite memories are simply getting to know these people and learn about their culture and daily lives,” said Valenty.

“The most memorable part was the amazing kindness and care we received from the families, and also bonding with those from other countries,” said Jackson Culhane, 10th grader from Holy Ghost Prep.

“The most memorable part of the Braga experience was the new friends I made. Even after our group departed from Braga, we continued to stay in touch with the Portuguese and Taiwanese students we met. Our host family even called us on our way to the airport to make sure everything was going well for us,” said Emma Polen, a senior at Duquesne. 

“The experience was awesome because the warm and joyful welcome of everyone we met, the sense of God calling us together to be ‘one familia/ Familia Una’, the sharing, prayer and laughter, inspired awe at the great love of God shown through God’s people!” said Fr. Dan Sormani, C.S.Sp.

The students visited Barcelos, Caniero, and Fatima and then traveled on to Lisbon for the World Youth Day activities. There were 345,000 registered pilgrims and over 25,000 volunteers for the events. The sheer amount of people, all gathered together with one purpose was notable to the pilgrims. 

When asked what was the most memorable part of World Youth Day, participants answered the following: 

“...meeting people from around the world and all coming together to celebrate one God!” -

“...Seeing everyone who share our faith together in one place.”

“...The most memorable part was seeing the amount of people who were all there for the pope.”

“...The Opening Mass because it was the first time we saw how many people were there for World Youth Day and it was amazing.”

“...So hard to pick out just one moment from WYD, but getting to participate in a Mass with over one million other people celebrated by the Pope was amazing!” 

“It was very powerful to be in the presence of ~1.5 million other youths like myself from all over the world! In true Spiritan fashion, this experience widened my world vision.”

The number of people did cause challenges for pilgrims. But the welcoming environment left students feeling supported even when things didn’t go as planned. 

“Our first day in Lisbon, the buses were so crowded that our group got onto different buses and got separated! Luckily, a group of Spanish pilgrims my age was on the bus I found myself on, and they helped me and a fellow Duquesne pilgrim make our way back to where we needed to be. Their joyful assistance was a huge comfort when everything else seemed so big and overwhelming,” said Polen.

There were many opportunities for confession, adoration, music and worship during World Youth Day. The Pope gave many memorable and inspiring talks throughout the events, emphasizing that the church is for everyone. 

“You are not here by accident. The Lord has called you, not only in these days, but from the very beginning of your days. He called you by name. Let us listen to the word of God that called us by name. Try to imagine these three words written in large letters. Then consider that they were written within you, on your hearts, as if setting the direction of your lives, the meaning of who you are: you have been called by name. Each of us is called by name. You, you and you, all of us here, myself included: all of us have been called by name. Not impersonally, but by name. Think of this: Jesus called me by name,” said Pope Francis in his Welcome Ceremony address on August 3. 

“Everything was so kind and vulnerable, I had never heard Catholicism talked about with such empathy. I love the idea of each person being ‘called by name’ into the church,” said Gwendolyn Sobkowiak, Duquesne sophomore. 

With so many people and experiences, new experiences and surprises were everywhere. From sleeping outside overnight, to new foods, friends and languages, everyone experienced things they never had before.

“Every moment was filled with a new experience, planned or unplanned. It was wonderful to have a day planned and then be filled with surprises by just being at the right place at the right time. WYD is an event like no other adventure,” said Valenty.

“My experience included a brand new culture in a completely different continent. I also got the chance to meet kids my age that were from all around the world. I also saw the Pope which is pretty unique,” said Oscar Herrera, an 11th Grader at Holy Ghost Prep. 

“I would describe my experience as an ‘adventure.’ Portugal was my first time being in a foreign country without my parents to guide me, and I was stepping into unknown territory. It was a learning experience, but throughout the trip, I met new people, encountered different cultures, and really strengthened the connection that I have with the Spiritan family,” said Josh Manangan,  10th grader at Holy Ghost Prep. 

“Another memorable moment was my surprise encounter with the Pope. A friend and I were waiting for the bathrooms at the World Youth Day overnight vigil, and we saw a line of policemen forming near where we stood. We hopped out of line to see what the police were doing, and a few minutes later, the Pope drove right by where we were standing! That was the closest I had ever seen the Pope, and it was a great way to end our World Youth Day experience,” said Polen.

Overall many of the pilgrims said the experience was unforgettable. 

“I watched my wonderful teenage young men be filled with the Spirit, be prayerful and caring, learn from others...they grew before my eyes and heart, and I will always be thankful for such a blessed experience!” said Fr. Dan Sormani, C.S.Sp.