High School Youth Spectacular participants make pilgrimage to Cathedral Holy Doors

The Office of Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Corpus Christi held its annual High School Youth Spectacular on Oct. 22 at the American Bank Center. Though the Youth Spectacular has taken place for 34 years, this year’s schedule was different and special because the youth took part in a pilgrimage from the American Bank Center to the Corpus Christi Cathedral to walk through the Holy Doors opened for the Year of Mercy.
 
Bishop Michael Mulvey welcomed and congratulated the pilgrims for their sacrifice as they walked through the “Holy Doors” of the Cathedral. The Spectacular ended with a vigil Mass at the Cathedral.
 
"Overall, the experience for many was enjoyable and prayerful and they were thankful for the opportunity to do this pilgrimage as the Body of Christ," Youth Ministry Director Jaime Reyna said.
 
In addition to the pilgrimage to the Holy Doors, another special feature of the conference was the availability of 10 priests and Bishop Mulvey to hear confessions.  
 
Some 475 youth attended and heard a morning keynote address from Benjamin Nye, theology teacher from St. John Paul II High School, and an afternoon keynote from Bishop Mulvey. The teens and adults also were able to here talks about Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy from Carolina Mcfarland, graduate from the Franciscan University, and Joseph Cipriano, Youth Minister for Most Precious Blood Church.
 
The day is not complete for the youth until they get a chance to play with the large inflatables that always are a crowd pleaser for the youth, Reyna said.
 
Deacon Ed Rowley served as emcee for the conference and the Heath Garcia Band provided praise and worship music.