Pilgrims of the Malankara Exarchate at World Youth Day 2013

This summer, Malankara Catholic youth from the Exarchate accompanied youth from all over the world for the World Youth Day celebrations occurring in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in keeping with the practice of participating in the last four World Youth Day Celebrations. They joined about 3.5 million others from around the world converging upon Copacabana Beach, with Holy Father Pope Francis proclaiming that "This week Rio has become the centre of the Church, its heart both youthful and vibrant, because you have responded generously and courageously to the invitation that Christ has made to you to be with him and to become his friends."

MCYM members of the Syro-Malankara Exarchate traveled with the youth of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago accompanied by the Jesus Youth movement. All the pilgrims gathered in Detroit for a preparatory gathering, and they were able to participate in Malankara Qurbana celebrated by Rev. Dr. Saji G. Mukkoot and Rev. Fr. Mathai Mannoorvadekakkethil. As in past trips, all the pilgrims also attended a Youth Festival that prepares pilgrims on the road to World Youth Day.

Pilgrims began their mornings with catechesis sessions led by various Bishops, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass, followed by various exhibitions, talks, concerts, and festivals.

This trip was especially blessed in that one of our pilgrims in the journey was the newly ordained Fr. Michael Edathil. Although our Syro-Malankara Church is one of the smallest in the Church today, our Church was a shining light as Fr. Michael was warmly introduced by many Bishops as the first native priest of our Church in America, and he concelebrated in the Masses at World Youth Day, and offered Holy Qurbana as per the Malankara tradition for the pilgrims on the journey.

The sense of belongingness is overwhelming when our youth stand shoulder to shoulder in communion with millions of others of the universal Catholic Church. The next WYD venue will be held in Krakow, Poland, and we look onward to celebrating our faith once again in 2016!