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Drug use, gang affiliation and casual sex are issues faced by inner city youth all over the world. Exposure does not automatically signify surrender to these temptations. Many young people are saying no to temptation and yes to God. More than 600 Hispanic youth who have chosen a righteous path had their faith on display as part of a colorful procession along the streets of the Fordham section of the Bronx.
Faith March 2017 was part of a daylong retreat hosted on the grounds of Our Lady of Refuge Church Oct. 21. The retreat was initiated by youths, many of whom carried banners, sang songs and held hands in a show of solidarity during the mile-long stretch. Participants from as far away as Ohio, West Virginia and Massachusetts took part in the march, which began in front of Our Saviour Church and ended at the gates of OLR.
At Our Lady of Refuge, the young people heard preaching from Father Agustino Torres, C.F.R. They also participated in a Holy Hour and Mass.
The rally denounced the many evils afflicting society. Auxiliary Bishop John Jenik, the longtime pastor of Our Lady of Refuge, told CNY that negative influences are prevalent in the streets of his parish. “This is a very bad neighborhood, and our children deal with things no one their age should have to deal with,” the bishop said.
“It’s a time right now that their youth is being taken away from them at an early age. This area is the second in the city in terms of drug arrests, it’s the highest in the Bronx…To see something positive like this happening in these streets is refreshing,” Bishop Jenik said.
“Today is a great day, because we are seeing young people not be afraid to talk about their relationship with Christ, and to openly demonstrate their faith is a great thing,” Bishop Jenik said.
The march was organized by the Missionary Sisters of the Word. Local superior Sister Adriana Rodriguez told CNY that young people are in danger of losing their family values, and many are out of touch with the Word of God.
“This march is to proclaim faith we want to manifest this faith, we are trying to show that there are still youths that are following the Word of God. That there are still youths that are looking towards the Word of God and that yearn to have a personal relationship with our Lord and, of course, we hope that this open demonstration of faith can lead to inspiring other,” Sister Adriana said.
Sister Adriana is one of five Missionary Sisters of the Word, all natives of Mexico, now serving in the Bronx parishes of Our Lady of Refuge, Our Saviour, Our Lady of Mercy, St. Simon Stock and St. Lucy.
The sisters have done door-to-door evangelization to encourage residents to attend Sunday Mass. Father Tulio Ramirez, MXY, pastor of Our Saviour, feels that such grassroots efforts are essential and that youthful energy is needed in evangelization.
“My hope is that the traditions that have been instilled first by their parents and strengthened here by our Catholic teaching will continue to give our young people the courage to participate in events like this, and that they spread their faith to friends and friends of friends and are not afraid to preach their faith and to live their faith,” Father Ramirez said.
Jose Vasquez, 22, was one of more than 50 young adults and teens who traveled to the Bronx from Most Holy Redeemer parish in Boston.
“I grew up going to church with my parents back in Honduras, and then when we immigrated here to the U.S. and I got older, I stopped going. I found it boring. I started hanging out too much, drinking and clubbing, but that life got tiresome quick for me. My life changed when I was invited to a retreat at our parish by a friend.
“That day, I realized that there was more to life than just nightlife and partying. Being a youth group member has given me a purpose, and I try to pass my experiences to other youths in my parish,” Vasquez said.
