Hundreds of youth gather for Carlo Acutis Apostolate youth rally

Friday, Apr. 26, 2024

OREM — More than 500 young Catholics filled St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for a Blessed Carlo Acutis Apostolate Youth Rally on April 20. Most of the participants were St. Francis parishioners, but youth came from eight other parishes across the diocese to join their peers in a day of worship.

During the rally they learned about vocations from various religious men and women, and heard from speakers Father Evan Cummings, a Paulist priest who grew up in Clearfield; and Ben Acosta, a FOCUS missionary. In addition, they sang songs of praise with hip hop musician Communion. Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish, also shared with them the story of the apostolate of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Fr. Vidal is director of the diocese’s Carlo Acutis Apostolate, which is designed to help youth experience the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The rally culminated with a Mass at which Bishop Oscar A. Solis presided. Concelebrating were Fr. Vidal and various priests of the diocese.

“It’s unfortunate that there are a lot of teenagers and young people who are indifferent to the presence of God,” Bishop Solis told the youth in his homily. “So what a magical moment [this rally is] to remind ourselves that God is telling us that God never abandons us, that he’s still with us, no matter what.”

He urged the youth to share their faith and their testimony of the Savior with those around them.

“When God calls you and gives you the witness, you don’t keep it in your heart,” he said. “God gave us the faith in order to proclaim it to the world and to other people, that they will likewise believe that God loves us.”

As they live their faith, it will show on their faces and other people will be drawn to know what makes these Catholic youth different, Bishop Solis told them.

Christians are blessed because they have real heroes to follow – the saints throughout the ages who have lived holy and virtuous lives – instead of Hollywood or sports personalities, the bishop said.

He asked the young people to do two things for him when they returned to their homes: to pray and to seriously consider whether God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life.

“Nothing is impossible with God,” he said. “Give yourself to God, and God will tell you who he wants you to be.”

Many of the youth were touched by the spirit of the rally and being among so many of their Catholic peers.

“I just love seeing everyone from our own religion coming together,” said Maria Vijio, 14, a parishioner at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price. “It’s amazing; it’s just beautiful to see everyone.”

Ruben Martinez, 15, who attends St. Francis of Assisi Parish, enjoyed the talks and presentations, he said. “I want to stick to what I learned and pray more and go to church more.”

Rally organizer Michael Edwards, director of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, expressed appreciation for the many volunteers from St. Francis of Assisi Parish who helped with the event “and made it so God could touch these kids,” he said.