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El mes de octubre está dedicado al Rosario en relación con la celebración de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, instituida por el papa Pío V porque el 7 de octubre se conmemora la victoria obtenida por los cristianos en la batalla naval de Lepanto en 1571. Esta victoria es atribuida a la Madre de Dios, invocada por la oración del Rosario y cuando lo rezamos nos unimos a la Virgen María meditando los misterios de Cristo porque ella estuvo asociada de un modo especial a la encarnación, la pasión y la gloria de la resurrección del Hijo de Dios. No basta con llevar el Rosario en el cuello, en el bolsillo, o colgado en el automóvil. Es necesario usarlo para orar, como medio para acercarnos más a Dios y crecer en la vida espiritual. En un artículo publicado por ACI Prensa, se afirma que la Iglesia ha querido enriquecer esta devoción con santas indulgencias para quienes lo recitan con las debidas disposiciones de fe y devoción. Según la Concesión 17 del Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (Manual de Indulgencias) de la Penitenciaría Apostólica, se concede indulgencia plenaria al fiel que “recite devotamente el Rosario mariano en una iglesia u oratorio, en familia, en una comunidad religiosa, en una reunión de fieles o, en gene-ral, cuando varios se reúnen con un fin honesto”. También se puede obtener indulgencia plenaria cuando el fiel se une devotamente a la recitación del Rosario transmitido por el Santo Padre a través de la televisión o la radio. En otras circunstancias, la indulgencia será parcial. El documento precisa además que, en la oración vocal, debe añadirse la meditación devota de los misterios. En el rezo público, los misterios deben enunciarse conforme a la costumbre aprobada en el lugar; mientras que, en la recitación privada, basta con que el fiel medite los misterios durante la oración. La indulgencia plenaria puede ganarse una vez al día (excepto en peligro de muerte) y requiere cumplir las condiciones generales establecidas por la Iglesia: • Confesión sacramental. • Comunión eucarística. • Oración por las intenciones del Papa. • Deseo sincero de obtener la indulgencia. Además, la indulgencia puede ofrecerse por un difunto, aplicando así la riqueza espiritual de la Iglesia en favor de las almas del purgatorio. Respecto a la bendición de los rosarios, el artículo de la página web del vaticano señala que de acuerdo con la norma 17 de la doctrina de las indulgencias “si un fielemplea con devoción un objeto de piedad —como un crucifijo, cruz, Rosario, escapulario o medalla— bendecido por un sacerdote, gana una indulgencia parcial”. Asimismo, si el objeto ha sido bendecido por el Santo Padre o por un Obispo, el fiel puede obtener indulgencia plenaria el día de la fiesta de los Santos Apóstoles Pedro y Pablo, añadiendo una fórmula legítima de profesión de fe. El Padre John Phalen, C.S.C., gran propagador del rezo del Rosario en familia, recuerda que usar devotamente un objeto de piedad significa rezar con fe: “Llevar una cruz o un Rosario es, en cierto modo, una profesión de fe. Pero el Rosario, más que un objeto, es una oración. Hay que rezarlo. De lo contrario, se corre el riesgo de tener demasiada fe en el objeto y no en Dios. El objeto nos ayuda a comunicarnos con Él”. En el sitio web católico Desde la Fe también se afirma que no basta con portar el Rosario como adorno o símbolo religioso. Su verdadero valor espiritual está en la oración, que nos une a Cristo por medio de María. El rezo del Rosario es saludar a nuestra Madre repitiendo las palabras con que el ángel Gabriel saludó a María, y las de Isabel cuando la Virgen fue a visitarla antes del nacimiento de Juan el Bautista. A través del Rosario, pedimos la intercesión de la Virgen María ante su Hijo y ante Dios Padre. San Luis María Grignion de Montfort, profundamente enamorado de la Virgen y de esta forma de oración cristocéntrica, recomendaba rezar el Rosario cada día. Enseñaba que esta devoción: 1. Facilita la práctica de las virtudes. 2. Enriquece con gracias y méritos. 3. Aviva el amor a Jesucristo. 4. Nos obtiene de Dios toda clase de bendiciones. El Rosario, rezado con fe y meditado con el corazón, es un camino seguro hacia la gracia y la paz interior.

Ministerio de la Prisión: Fe, dignidad y una nueva oportunidad para quienes regresan a la sociedad Beatriz y Jorge de Varona, juntos iniciaron hace 25 años su apoyo al ministerio de prisión participando como voluntarios. Actualmente esta pareja se mantiene activa en el nuevo ministerio llamado San Dimas que también brinda ayuda a las personas que han estado en prisión para reintegrarse a la sociedad . (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Por Vero Gutiérrez  Editora Asistente   Hace más de veinte años, Jorge de Varona y su esposa Beatriz respondieron al llamado del Padre Jesús Camacho para servir en el Ministerio de la Prisión de la Diócesis de Boise. Todo comenzó en el año 2000, cuando el sacerdote —entonces encargado del ministerio— los invitó, durante una Misa en la parroquia del Sagrado Corazón, a participar como voluntarios. Así iniciaron una misión de servicio que se extendería por dos décadas. Durante ese tiempo, los voluntarios se dieron cuenta de una gran necesidad: muchas personas que salían de prisión, ya fuera por haber cumplido su condena o por libertad condicional, no recibían ayuda alguna para reintegrarse a la sociedad. Sin apoyo, la mayoría terminaba reincidiendo; más del 60% regresaba a prisión. Buscando una solución, algunos miembros del ministerio —entre ellos Dick  Gallegos y  Mike  Gallagher fueron los principales en fundar la conferencia y establecieron una colaboración con San Vicente de Paúl, lo que permitió ofrecer ayuda básica como ropa, artículos de higiene y orientación. En 2012 fundaron la Reentry Conference  en Idaho, que luego inspiró la creación del actual ministerio San Dimas, llamado así en honor al ladrón arrepentido que pidió a Jesús estar con Él en el paraíso. El nuevo ministerio se enfoca en acompañar a quienes salen de prisión, ofreciendo asistencia inmediata con ropa, alimentos y orientación. Además, colaboran con agencias y empresas dispuestas a contratar a personas que buscan una segunda oportunidad en la vida. Aunque no son una agencia de empleo, ayudan con la elaboración de currículums y la conexión con compañías que contratan aprendices en construcción, plomería y electricidad. Las empresas que trabajan en colaboración con este ministerio, explicó de Varona, están conscientes de que se trata de personas que acaban de ser liberadas de la cárcel y están dispuestas a contratarlas. La discriminación hacia las personas que salen de prisión ha disminuido porque saben que son muy buenos empleados y agradecen con su trabajo la confianza que se les otorga nuevamente. Jorge de Varona en la capilla de la estación de Radio Sal y Luz donde continuamente acude para promover los ministerios de prisión. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) Gracias al trabajo conjunto con el Departamento de Prisiones, ahora los reclusos pueden obtener su identificación y solicitar su tarjeta del Seguro Social antes de ser liberados, eliminando una de las principales barreras para conseguir empleo. Un parteaguas en este ministerio sin duda fue la epidemia del COVID  19, cuando todo se tuvo que cancelar. Después de la pandemia, los voluntarios ya no quisieron continuar colaborando, de tal manera que todo se tuvo que reestructurar y se creó un nuevo ministerio llamado San Dimas, para ayudar a las personas que salen de prisión. Actualmente, el Ministerio San Dimas cuenta con alrededor de doce voluntarios en el condado de Ada, y una conferencia hermana opera en el condado de Canyon, bajo el patrocinio de San Maximiliano Kolbe. Cada mes, brindan apoyo a 30 y hasta 40 personas. Los resultados son alentadores: la tasa de reincidencia entre quienes reciben ayuda es apenas del 18%, mucho menor que el promedio estatal, agregó de Varona. El grupo se reúne el primer y tercer lunes de cada mes en las oficinas principales de San Vicente de Paúl, en 5256 Fairview Avenue, todo su trabajo se coordina por Internet, y los voluntarios visitan a las personas necesitadas para ofrecerles ayuda directa: vales de transporte, artículos básicos, apoyo económico limitado y, sobre todo, acompañamiento humano y espiritual.  Jorge de Varona dijo que muchos de los ciudadanos que han estado en prisión al salir se sienten temerosos, sobre todo aquellos que no tienen familia.  No se discrimina a nadie, añadió, lo único que tienen que hacer es solicitar el apoyo para que reciban ayuda de uno de estos ministerios.  Jorge de Varona explicó que también existe otro grupo de ayuda denominado Reentry Services, el cual, aunque no es parte de la conferencia, pero ayuda específicamente a las personas en su salida de la cárcel con ayuda inmediata el primer día fuera de prisión, llevándolos al lugar donde se van a alojar, les proporcionan ropa, comida o estampas para alimentos.  Pero con la pequeña ayuda que se les proporciona, se tranquilizan y al final no pueden creer que haya personas que los ayuden de esta manera.          “Lo más importante es que las personas se sientan acogidas y dignificadas”, comparte Jorge de Varona. “Muchos tienen miedo de salir y no saber qué hacer, pero cuando encuentran ayuda sincera, recuperan la esperanza.”  Se estima que actualmente a través de este ministerio se brinda ayuda a al menos a 40 personas cada mes.  En algunas ocasiones dijo, pueden ser hasta 6 personas por día. Aunque muchos voluntarios son católicos, el ministerio trabaja hombro a hombro con cristianos de otras denominaciones, unidos por un mismo propósito: servir con amor y restaurar la dignidad de quienes buscan una nueva oportunidad. Los interesados en colaborar pueden hacerlo de diversas maneras: con donaciones económicas a través del sitio svdpidaho.org , con oración por el ministerio o uniéndose como voluntarios, tanto de habla inglesa como española.  Indicó que una de las metas de este programa es que en un futuro cercano puedan dejar todo en manos de los mismos ciudadanos que han tenido que ir a la cárcel y que al salir se reintegren a la sociedad. Para que ellos que han pasado por esta situación sean mucho más empáticos con quienes están ahí y sobre todo que saben cómo ayudarles mejor porque “no es lo mismo ser voluntarios que haber pasado algún tiempo en prisión”. “Nuestra misión es simple”, dice de Varona. “Ayudar a que cada persona que sale de prisión recupere su dignidad, para nosotros no son expresidiarios sino ciudadanos que regresan a la sociedad porque nos interesa mantener la dignidad de la persona y su fe en que Dios nunca abandona a nadie”.

Members of the permanent diaconate program for the Diocese attended the fall formation weekend with Father Tim Segert, parochial vicar, who was one of the speakers. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) By Philip A. Janquart ICR Editor BOISE – On Friday, Oct. 11, the Office of the Diaconate offered its Fall Formation Weekend, with Bishop Peter F. Christensen presiding over a Mass where he installed six Lectors and four Acolytes as they continue their journey through the formation process for the permanent diaconate. Bishop Peter also recognized seven men, who, during this weekend, had officially begun their formation. Father Joe Mcdonald, who presided over Saturday Morning Prayer, admitted into Candidacy eight men who completed their first year of formation. Deacon Salvador Caranza, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, thanked the staff at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Boise, where the Mass was held on Friday and morning prayer and acceptance into Candidacy on Saturday. During his homily at Friday’s installation Mass, Bishop Peter referenced our walk on earth, noting that the Lord always asks more of us and that the work we accomplish is never finished until we are in Heaven, in His presence. “I’ll begin by saying something we all know: and that is, in our life, in our Christian life, and in our walk with the Lord, we don’t ever arrive; the journey doesn’t end. It ends, or becomes complete, when we are forever with Our Lord in His Heavenly Kingdom. “How many times have we said, ‘Just when you think you’ve seen it all?’ In our walk with our Lord, it’s important to realize the fact that we don’t come to a place of arriving – there’s always more to be done.” Aside from full-time jobs and helping to raise families, the Lectors and Candidates were called by the Lord to serve Him in another way, to continue His work in their lives and the lives of others. Installed as Lectors were Nicholas Pettinger, Juan Guillermo Macias, Price Lockard, Leonardo Guillermo (Memo) Gutiérrez, Jerry Craft and David Behrend. Installed as Acolytes were Rodney Geilenfeldt II, Colin Meyer, Keith Meyer, Keith Pettyjohn and Jeremy Westmark. Keith Pettyjohn, a St. Mary’s parishioner in Boise, is president of the board of Salt & Light Radio and also serves as its executive director. He said he had always felt drawn to the diaconate but wanted to wait until the time was right to answer that call and fully commit to the formation process. “With a full-time job, a wife and four kids, I just didn’t have the bandwidth and wasn’t sure if I should pursue it,” he said. “But then I decided, ‘OK, let’s at least discern, go through the discernment process. You know, deacons are the pack mules of the parish … and you learn, through the process, that it isn’t about you; you are there to serve. It’s been humbling and another way of surrendering yourself to whatever God wants you to do.” During his homily, Bishop Peter addressed the Lectors and Acolytes directly. “Those to be installed as Lectors, understand that you are entering into an even deeper call to share in the grace of God’s gift of Sacred Scripture, receiving and proclaiming a transformative Word for yourselves and for those with whom you share this gift of the Living Word of God,” he said. “Those to be installed as Acolytes, understand that you are entering into a deep, lived-faith as you are at the service of the Lord. You will be in close proximity with Him as you partake in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the meal of Christ, His very presence as He desires to offer himself to those who hunger for Him as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, providing life and nourishment forthe World.” In closing, he said, “Walk with our Lord who offers us His yoke, which is easy and a burden that is light for those who join Him, proclaiming His Word and Offering service in His name. And think about the term ‘yoke.’ What is that? I see the yoke as Jesus putting his arm over our shoulders.”

Mike Martinez stands by Sophie Martinez as she is baptized by Bishop Peter Christensen. (Courtesy photo) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer The seventh annual Sun Valley Tour de Force drew to a close July 20, 2024 under clear skies and ideal racing conditions. The charity event’s “No Speed Limit” high-speed run at Phantom Hill started with the roar of sports cars attempting to beat a record of more than 250 mph. But just after reaching the finish line, Ron Martinez and his friend, Zach Alder, a passenger, crashed at 211 mph. After flipping more than 15 times, Martinez was transported by air to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Doctors had given him no more than a 35% chance of surviving and doubted he would make it beyond 24 hours. “Ron had to be put in a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator for about four weeks,” said Sophie Martinez, Ron’s daughter-in-law. “It was a miracle he survived.” Alder, whose injuries were not as critical, also survived. Sophie had just become engaged to Ron’s son, Mike, about one month before the crash. “We were suddenly thrown into this roller coaster of emotions, and I saw how Mike and his family clung to their faith in the worst of times,” she said. “It was amazing how his mom would pray a rosary every morning with Ron while holding his hand, even when he was in a coma. The Martinez family would pray together every day in the trauma ICU.” Idaho Bishop Peter Christensen, whom she had met at a family dinner before the crash, visited them at the hospital. He anointed Ron and brought him the Eucharist even though the Bishop was still recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, which had resulted in his admittance to the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus just weeks earlier. Seeing such sacrifices of love in Mike’s family, Bishop Peter’s commitment to providing pastoral care, and how their Catholic faith sustained them during such a critical time, solidified her decision to come home to the Catholic Church. “I just knew that I needed to be Catholic,” she said. The journey home Sophie, whose maiden name is Warda, was raised in a nondenominational Christian church in Central Valley, California. Her mother was Catholic, and her father was an evangelical. “Our family was very faithful. I have two brothers and a twin sister, and we were all involved in our church. We had the best childhood,” she explained. “I was very involved with sports, but we always made time for church. We went several nights a week for different youth groups and service projects, and every Sunday, even when we traveled.” Sophie only attended Mass once during her childhood. “During a visit to see my grandma, my mom’s mom, we went to Mass. I knew it was special, but I wasn’t old enough to make a decision about the Catholic Church,” she said. She attended the University of California, Davis, following high school, where she excelled, pursuing a double major in psychology and communications, and gained an internship working for the football team. Mike and Sophie Martinez at the Easter Vigil at St. John's Cathedral. Sophie was baptized and confirmed at the Vigil by Bishop Peter. (Courtesy photo) “I still considered myself religious and prayed, but I stopped feeling God’s presence in my life,” Sophie admitted. In 2019, she went with her family and maternal grandmother to Rome. “We went during a time that was probably the lowest point in my entire life,” she said. “I was sorting out some bad relationships in my life and was at a crossroads. I felt like the trip to Rome with my family was very good timing.” Their time seeing the sights in Rome and Vatican City, Sophie conveyed, was fantastic, but breakfast at the Vatican was the pinnacle of the trip. “Pope Francis came and blessed our food,” she beamed. “I recognized very quickly that it was very special what we were able to do, and I held that very close to my heart.” Despite her experiences in Rome and conversations with her mom and grandma, she still didn’t feel the need to become Catholic. Life takes a turn Sophie graduated from UC Davis in 2020, completing her two degrees in three years, and became a full-time nanny for a coach’s family, for whom she had frequently babysat before. “They were practicing Catholics, but they never pushed their faith,” she said. “They just lived it.” She ultimately moved with them when they relocated to Boise. “I was so close to them that it was a no-brainer to go with them to Boise,” Sophie said. The family joined Sacred Heart Parish in Boise, and the children went to Sacred Heart Catholic School. As she became more involved with the Catholic community through the children, she became more curious about the Church. While the children were in school, she worked for the Boise State University football team and pursued her master’s degree in sports leadership. She also became close friends with the players, especially with quarterback Hank Bachmeier and his then-girlfriend (now fiancée), Jenna Vitamanti. In 2022, Hank and Jenna invited Sophie to go with them to Mass on Easter morning at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. “When I stepped inside the cathedral for the 10 a.m. Mass, I suddenly became so emotional,” Sophie recalled. “I hadn’t felt God’s presence for so many years, but when I walked in there, I felt Him. I pulled my phone out and took a picture, right then, because I didn’t want to forget that moment.” Because it was so crowded, she and her friends had to stand in the back of the church for the Mass, which Bishop Peter celebrated. After the Mass, Hank introduced Sophie to another friend of his, Mike Martinez. Hank was sure that Sophie and Mike would hit it off. Mike was born and raised in Boise and graduated from Bishop Kelly before playing basketball at a small university in Iowa. After completing his degrees in communications and sports management, he began working for the New Orleans Saints. He is currently an assistant to head coach Kellen Moore, a former Boise State quarterback. “Because the Saints were in the offseason, Mike was staying in Boise with his family. About a month after we met, we saw each other at a birthday party for a mutual friend,” Sophie explained. “We sat together and talked about ourselves and football for two hours.” They bumped into each other in McCall during the Fourth of July, and that’s when Mike asked her out on a date. “We went to Bardenay in downtown Boise and the rest is history, as they say. He had to go back to New Orleans, so we had to keep up with our relationship long-distance,” she said. “But we were really drawn to each other: our values, morals and our views on relationships. We also talked a lot about faith. We even talked about Bishop Peter’s homily from Easter.” Sophie finished her master’s at Boise State in 2023 and soon after accepted a job in New Orleans so she could pursue her relationship with Mike. The couple were engaged in June 2024. Not long after, Sophie was introduced to Bishop Peter during a dinner with Mike’s family. “The Church can be intimidating because its history and rituals are so rich, but Bishop Peter put me at ease,” she said. “After meeting him, I knew I wanted to be baptized in the Church. I knew that I didn’t want to get married if it wasn’t in the Church and if it wasn’t Bishop Peter who married us. Because marriage is a union, a team, I did not want to walk into marriage without sorting out my own faith. I wanted to commit to being on the same ground for our future family.” Mike with his father, Ron, at Easter Vigil at St. John's Cathedral.  (Courtesy photo) The crash Mike’s dad was in the near-fatal Sun Valley Tour de Force crash just weeks later. “Ron is doing so much better now,” Sophie said. “It’s a miracle that he’s alive and walking and talking.” Certain that she wanted to become Catholic, she signed up for OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) at a parish in New Orleans. “It was so fulfilling. I was raised knowing the Bible, but I felt like going to OCIA was a fresh start,” she said. “It helped me hack away at some worldly stuff in my life and to really focus on praying and meditating. The blessings that we have in this world are so beautiful and abundant, but we need to know how to let go of them. We need to be ready to go to heaven one day.” When the time came to be baptized, she was concerned that the trip to New Orleans would be too difficult for Ron, who was still recovering from the crash. Not wanting him to miss her baptism, she sought permission from the Archdiocese of New Orleans to be baptized and Confirmed during the Easter Vigil at St. John’s Cathedral in Boise. Permission was granted. Just before the Easter Vigil, Sophie looked again at the photo she took of the cathedral three years earlier. As she looked closely at the people near the altar, she recognized someone very dear to her, whom she did not know at the time of the photo. Mike and Sophie Martinez on their wedding day. (Courtesy photo) “My photo of the cathedral was photobombed by Ron, my future father-in-law,” she said with a chuckle. “There are no coincidences!” Just as she had hoped, Bishop Peter baptized and Confirmed Sophie at the cathedral. He then presided at the wedding Mass for Sophie and Mike on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 28 of this year. “Everything in our lives is God working to bring us all home,” she said.

Congratulation to Hadley Jackson, an eighth-grade student at All Saints Catholic School: Her drawing won first place nationally in the Catholic Daughters art contest on the theme “How do I feel when I forgive?” Catholic Daughters Lori Ready-Gorley and Margaret Adams presented her award.

By Peter Brophy For the ICR The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for respectful, truth-seeking dialogue in our deeply divided society. While Kirk’s advocacy resonated with many, it also didn’t for others.  His death compels us to look beyond any single figure or perspective and focus on fostering civic discourse that upholds human dignity, pursues truth, and bridges divides, regardless of political or ideological leanings.   The Catholic Church teaches that natural law, as described in the Catechism, is “the light of understanding placed in us by God,” universal in its precepts and binding on all people. (CCC 1955). This law affirms the sacredness of every human life, reflecting the inherent dignity bestowed by the Creator. The Ten Commandments, as the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church affirms, are a “privileged expression of the natural law,” providing a moral framework that guides individuals and communities toward authentic freedom, justice, and the protection of the preciousness of every human life.   In today’s polarized climate, public discourse often devolves into hostility, drowning out the pursuit of truth and mutual understanding. The Church calls for communication that respects “truth, justice, and the love of neighbor,” condemning speech that profanes or scandalizes. Authentic dialogue, as outlined in the Compendium, is rooted in respect for the conscience of others, solidarity, and the common good. The assassination of a public figure like Kirk, who, regardless of one’s views on his positions, engaged fearlessly yet often respectfully, underscores the consequences of a culture that fails to prioritize civility and charity.   It challenges us to ask: how can we, as Catholics and people of goodwill, model a better way? The Church’s teachings offer a path forward. By affirming the objective moral order revealed by natural law, we uphold human rights, the sanctity of marriage, and the ethical principles of the Decalogue. Yet, these truths must be shared with humility and respect, inviting dialogue rather than division. Freedom of expression, a natural right rooted in human dignity, must be exercised in a way that builds up rather than tears down. As Catholics, we are called to engage with those who hold differing views, not with contempt, but with a commitment to the “truth that sets humanity free” (Jn 8:32).   The loss of any life to violence is a tragedy that wounds the common good. Kirk’s death invites us to recommit to a discourse that honors the dignity of every person, regardless of their beliefs. Let us pray for healing in our society and for the courage to foster conversations that reflect the love of Christ. May we strive for a world where truth and charity walk hand in hand, ensuring that no voice is silenced by division or violence.

Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica is one of the locations staff writer Emily Woodham visited during her recent trip to Europe. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer   I admit I wanted to sleep late on my last morning in France, contemplating making a lazy exit from the City of Light after 11 days of travel.   I thought of the book, The Hobbit , how Bilbo rested in Rivendell before going back to the Shire, and that maybe I should just sleep as much as I could before my journey home. But I had an important appointment for later that morning that I did not want to miss.   I had planned to embark on a shortened version of the Camino de Santiago in Spain since last February. I bought the tickets and made reservations. For months, I prayed a rolling novena to St. James, the patron saint of pilgrims, especially for the Camino. My 18-year-old son and I left Boise on Wednesday, Sept. 17 with a very well-planned itinerary. We were supposed to take a mere 100-kilometer trek from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Our plan was to make it in time for Mass at the cathedral in Santiago on Sept. 25 and then take a plane to Paris for two days of sightseeing.   But that’s not what happened.   When we landed in Paris on the morning of Sept. 18, our plane arrived 30 minutes late, and we missed our connecting flight to Madrid. It took just 30 minutes to create a domino effect on all our other plans. We sighed a prayer to Mother Mary, Seat of Wisdom.   If we continued on to Spain, we’d be winging it because all our reservations now had to change. Or we could wing it in France. As tired as we were, we chose to forgo another plane ride and stick it out among the French.   The saints say pilgrimages give you a new perspective on life. In the ups and downs of the journey, the twists and turns, getting lost, being found and all that lies in between, pilgrimages give us a fresh picture of our journey from birth to death and to the life to come. It’s normal on pilgrimages to encounter the unexpected, to get lost, and for many, even to get sick.   My son became sick and had to go back to the States only two days after we arrived. So, I went against the sound advice never to travel alone.   “Always take a friend with you,” I’ve told my children. “Just like in The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings,  you need a companion for your adventures!” A view of the alter inside the Basilica of St. Theresa of Lisieux. Lisieux is a small city in the region of Normandy in northern France. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham) However, at one point, Frodo and Sam were separated and each had to journey alone. Bilbo also became separated from his party and had to bravely go where no one else could. There are lessons for us when we walk alone that we could not otherwise learn. To be sure, we are made for communion, but to be alone for parts of our journey with just the Lord reminds us that he alone is God. This builds our confidence and trust; it builds our courage to fulfill the mission entrusted to us.   I’m sure I will never hear the end of it from my kids, but I decided to make Jesus, Mary and the saints my only companions as I traveled in Paris, Lourdes, Rouen, Lisieux and Amiens, by foot and train, without a plan. Thankfully, on my unexpected journey, I never met an orc.   During my first days in Paris, I attended Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, where St. Louise de Marillac and St. Catherine Laboure are interred (two of my favorite saints). I went to Mass at St. Sulpice and visited St. Etienne-du-Mont (St. Stephen’s of the Mount), which has St. Genevieve’s tomb (another favorite saint). I stumbled upon St. Severin’s Church. I attended Mass at Notre Dame and heard the newly restored bells ring out beautifully.   Despite all these wonderful, holy sites, while on the train to Lourdes on Sunday, Sept. 21, I felt a bit heavy. I was thankful to be in France and to be on my way to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a place I had longed to visit since I was a little girl. Yet still, I wondered if I had truly done the right thing in choosing to stay in France.   All the saints say to flee from doubt and discouragement. However, I kept wondering if I was being foolish and setting myself up for something more akin to Mordor than to Rivendell. I went to the grotto, where Bernadette saw Our Lady, but my heart still struggled with a lack of confidence in my decisions. I prayed for direction and encouragement.   The next morning, I went to daily Mass at the Sanctuary. To my surprise, as I stepped into the line for Communion, Beth Ann Kavanaugh, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, also stepped in line from the pew opposite mine. We immediately hugged each other. The Grotto at Lourdes — officially called the Grotto of Massabielle — is the small cave in Lourdes, France, where St. Bernadette Soubirous reported 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858.  (ICR photo/Emily Woodham) We were overjoyed at our providential meeting. She was in Lourdes with her husband, Cole, to volunteer for two weeks. She was supposed to be working that morning, but the Religious Sister in charge told her to take the day off. Unsure of what she should do, she decided to attend Mass. Of course, I wasn’t supposed to be in Lourdes at all, let alone Mass at the Sanctuary. Seeing her and having lunch with her and Cole was just the encouragement I needed, that the Lord had my every step in his loving hands. I went to Confession that afternoon, and all the worry and doubt were lifted.   From Lourdes, I took the train to Rouen. I visited the Church of St. Joan of Arc and the site where she was martyred, followed by Mass at the Cathedral of Rouen. I took a day trip to Lisieux and marveled at the thought that I was walking where St. Thérèse had walked. I went to her house, her parish church (St. Peter’s Cathedral), and the basilica. Then, finally, I went to Carmel and visited her at her tomb.   I visited the cathedral in Amiens, the largest and best-preserved Gothic cathedral in France—its statues and art survived the demolition and defacing of churches during the French Revolution. I went to the cathedral specifically to see the tomb of St. Honoré, patron saint of bakers, a saint I have loved long before I became Catholic. I could have spent hours more at the cathedral learning about all their relics and art. They even have a relic of St. John the Baptist!   All the churches and relics served as a constant reminder of the importance of perseverance, especially in the little things of life. It was striking to see two churches of nearly the same age in the same city, yet one was well-maintained and looked gorgeous, despite the centuries, while the other was neglected and in disrepair. The contrast was like a parable of the importance of where we put our time, treasure and talent. It matters that we are prudent; it matters that we persevere. If we don’t take care of the little things, we will end up with big problems.   I returned to Paris on Thursday, Sept. 25, the one thing I had in my original plans from the beginning of the year.   I visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, and so many churches in between. With stories of saints on my mind, I walked for miles each day, praying, lighting candles and giving alms. I thought of the billions of faithful throughout time, from the first disciples of Jesus to the present day, and how for two millennia we have all found comfort in sauntering through countryside and cities to venerate relics, light candles and pray. However, there are so many churches in France, so many saints’ tombs I didn’t have nearly enough time to visit. Inside the Church of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, France. (ICR photo/Emily Woodham) The night before my last day, I wondered how to spend my time. I had not visited any museums or secular historic sites. I walked past them all to follow my heart to altars and stained glass. And then I remembered that I wanted to see St. Vincent de Paul. I looked up his chapel online, and it was ablaze with an announcement for a big Mass to celebrate his feast day. I had forgotten that his feast day was Sept. 27!   This was all the more momentous because they were celebrating the 400th anniversary of his founding of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians).   All my ideas for other things to do during my last day in Paris vanished. I knew I had a divine appointment with yet another wonderful saint.   When, at last, I knelt down at his tomb and was face to face with St. Vincent de Paul (his body is entombed in wax), I had nothing but inexplicable joy. I arrived at the chapel early and was able to be all alone with him in the special alcove above the altar. As I looked into his face, I felt like all of time slipped away. At each sacrifice of the Holy Mass is a glimpse into eternity, and I had that same sense of the eternal as I looked at him. Then it struck me once again the importance of perseverance and how it is made possible with love.   All the saints’ lives are marked by love. Their love is not a messy, “sloppy agape” love. Their love is not a disordered love that makes idols out of people or ideologies; their love is not lazy nor scrupulous; their love was marked by courage and strength; their love was heroic.   If love is, as St. Thomas Aquinas said, to will the good of the other for the sake of the other, then it is far deeper than making people happy, and it’s far broader than any political or social agenda. After all, our true home, the ultimate end of our pilgrimage, is nothing less than heaven.   Life is an unexpected journey. May we all have the grace to persevere to the end with heroic love and courage.

Lc 17, 11- 19 Domingo vigésimo octavo del tiempo ordinario En este Evangelio la Iglesia nos invita a reflexionar sobre un episodio aparentemente común: Jesús sana a unos enfermos, en concreto a unos leprosos. Como sucede en todas las escenas evangélicas, el mensaje perdura hasta nuestros días para orientar nuestras vidas. Jesús se deja interrumpir y asediar por unos leprosos: Iba a entrar en un pueblo, cuando vinieron a su encuentro diez leprosos…” En estos casos, Jesús, nunca se negaba, ni ponía pretextos. Era “el hombre para los demás”, para los marginados y abandonados. Es necesario traer a colación el significado que tenía la lepra en el Antiguo Testamento: para la ley, la lepra es una impureza contagiosa, por lo que el leproso es excluido de la comunidad hasta su curación y su “purificación ritual”, que exige un sacrificio por “el pecado” (Lev 13-14). Esta lepra es “la plaga” por excelencia, contagiosa, con la que Dios castiga a los pecadores. Se amenaza con ella a Israel (Dt 27, 28). Los egipcios son víctimas de ella (Ex 9,9 ), así como Miriam (Núm 12, 10-15) y Ozías (2 Cr 26, 19-23). Es, pues, en principio un castigo por el pecado. Cuando Jesús cura a los leprosos (Mt 8, 1-4; Lc 17, 11-19), triunfa sobre la llaga por excelencia y cura a los hombres de ella, cuyas enfermedades (Mt 8,17). Al purificar a los leprosos y reintegrarlos a la comunidad, cancela con un gesto milagroso la separación entre lo puro y lo impuro: “Tenemos un Sumo Sacerdote que ha entrado en el mismo cielo; este es Jesús, el Hijo de Dios” (Hebreos 4,14). Jesús es el siervo doliente de la visión profética de Isaías, que, aunque inocente, carga con los pecados, que serán sanados por sus llagas (Is 53, 3-12). Jesús, respetuoso con las instituciones y normas religiosas de su época, dice a los leprosos sanados: “Vayan a presentarse a los sacerdotes …”. Después de hacerlo, solo uno de los diez, samaritano y considerado impío e indigno de Dios, vuelve para dar gracias. Este hecho nos revela la gratuidad del amor de Dios y la fe del samaritano. Jesús pregunta ¿No ha vuelto más que este extranjero para dar gloria a Dios?. “Levántate y vete; tu fe te ha salvado”. La fe nos hace ver que estamos en manos de Dios, y que todo lo que nos sucede forma parte de un plan de amor. Esta visión contrasta con la actitud mercantilista, en la que no hay lugar para lo gratuito. Todo se intercambia, se presta, se debe o se exige. Cada cual tiene lo que se merece, lo que se ha ganado con su propio esfuerzo. A nadie se le regala nada. Nuestra fe nos dice que, Dios todopoderoso, Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, nos ha liberado del pecado y nos ha dado la vida nueva por el agua y el Espíritu Santo, nos une a su pueblo para que seamos siempre miembros de Cristo, Sacerdote, Cristo Profeta y Cristo Rey. Por lo cual decimos: En verdad es justo y necesario, es nuestro deber y salvación, darte gracias siempre y en todo lugar, Dios Padre Santo, Todopoderoso y eterno.

Padre Germán Ruis Rebollo, acompañado de un grupo de cursillistas, tras su nombramiento como director espiritual del movimiento. “El Cursillo- dijo Padre Ruis,- es una forma concreta y alegre de ser Iglesia en el mundo. “Dios no se cansa de esperarnos”. Con estas palabras, el Padre Germán Ruís Rebollo resume el corazón de su misión al aceptar ser el nuevo director espiritual del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad en la Diócesis de Boise. Su historia personal con el Cursillo, que comenzó en México hace más de una década, hoy lo impulsa a acompañar a quienes buscan vivir la fe con alegría y compromiso. Fue el pasado 17 de abril de 2025, cuando el Obispo Bishop Peter invitó al Padre Germán Ruís como nuevo director espiritual del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad en la Diócesis de Boise para la comunidad Hispano – Latina. Actualmente, el Padre Ruís se desempeña también como administrador de la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús en Emmet. Padre Germán Ruis Rebollo El Padre Germán nació el 28 de mayo de 1984 en Michoacán, México, y fue ordenado el 9 de junio de 2011 en la Arquidiócesis de Morelia con otros once jóvenes. En sus primeros siete años de sacerdocio en México, el Padre Germán estuvo ejerciendo su ministerio en diferentes parroquias y también como formador en el Seminario de aquella diócesis. Hace tres años, el Padre Germán aceptó la invitación del Obispo Peter para venir a apoyar a esta Diócesis, porque incluso tenía la residencia permanente en Estados Unidos que adquirió cuando era muy joven gracias a que su padre trabajó muchos años en Chicago. Al llegar a Idaho, fue nombrado vicario parroquial en la Parroquia de Saint John Paul II, en Idaho Falls y después como vicario de la Parroquia de Our Lady of The Valley. El 16 de septiembre de 2022, el Padre Germán se hizo ciudadano estadounidense. Cuando aún era vicario en Our Lady of The Valley, el Padre Germán comenzó a recibir comentarios y sugerencias de los fieles para apoyar al Movimiento de Cursillos, dirigido anteriormente por el Padre José Ramírez. Después de un tiempo de discernimiento y oración, el Padre Ruis aceptó este llamado, convencido de que el Señor lo invitaba a servir en este movimiento. El encuentro personal del Padre Germán con Cursillos se remonta al año 2010, en Morelia, Michoacán, México, cuando vivió su propio cursillo junto con otros seminaristas en la Casa San Luis. Aquella experiencia marcó su camino espiritual, pues le permitió profundizar en el amor de Dios y fortalecer su compromiso de vivir la fe en comunidad y en servicio a los demás. Para él, ser director espiritual de un movimiento laical como Cursillos significa caminar junto a los laicos, escucharlos, acompañarlos y recordar que todos somos discípulos en misión. “El director espiritual no está para dirigir desde arriba, sino para alentar, sostener y ayudar a discernir la voluntad de Dios en la vida cotidiana”, señala el Padre Germán. El Padre Ruis describe el carisma de Cursillos como un carisma profundamente evangelizador: llevar el amor de Cristo a los ambientes cotidianos a través de la amistad, el testimonio y la comunidad. En este sentido, subraya que el movimiento es una forma concreta y alegre de ser Iglesia en el mundo. En la Diócesis de Boise, donde la diversidad cultural plantea grandes retos y oportunidades, el nuevo director espiritual ve a Cursillos como un puente entre la Iglesia y las personas alejadas, un motor de renovación espiritual y una plataforma para la formación de líderes cristianos para que vivan su fe con coherencia y alegría en todos los ambientes. Padre Germán, reconoce también que los desafíos actuales son grandes, especialmente la indiferencia religiosa y el individualismo. Particularmente, en la comunidad latina, dijo también existen ruptu- ras familiares por el trabajo, el estudio y la cultura materialista; sin embargo, confía en la fortaleza de la comunidad hispana, y la facilidad que tiene para crear comunidad, su sentido de religiosidad. Agradeció además que cuentan con el apoyo de diáconos y sacerdotes para enfrentar estas dificultades. Los hombres del cursillo número 162 celebrado en febrero de 2025, junto con los sacerdotes Francisco Flores, Mark Uhlenkott y Nelson Cintra de la parroquia de Saint John Paul II en Idaho Falls. (Foto cortesía/ Héctor Gómez). El acompañamiento espiritual, asegura, será clave en esta nueva etapa. Para él no se trata de algo opcional, sino de un elemento esencial del cre- cimiento en la fe: escuchar, orientar, orar juntos y ayudar a cada persona a descubrir cómo Dios actúa en su vida concreta. Por eso, planea animar la vida espiritual de los servidores, líderes y participantes mediante retiros, momentos de oración, dirección espiritual en las escuelas y una formación constante. Finalmente, el Padre Ruis dirige un mensaje especial a aquellos cursillistas que se sienten desanimados o alejados: “Dios no se cansa de esperarlos. Aunque se hayan alejado, el Señor sigue creyendo en ustedes. El cursillo que vivieron no fue una casualidad, fue una semilla. Y aunque a veces parezca dormida, puede volver a florecer. ¡Vuelvan a la comunidad, vuelvan al amor de Dios!”.

El padre Germán Osorio, rector de la catedral, sostiene la cruz mientras los feligreses hispanos, conmovidos, pasan para venerar la reliquia de la Vera Cruz . (Foto ICR/Vero Gutiérrez)   Vero Gutiérrez  Editora Asistente En una jornada llena de oración, fervor y profunda religiosidad, la comunidad hispana participó en la celebración del Jubileo 2025 en la Catedral de Saint John the Evangelist. El Padre Germán Osorio, Rector de la Catedral, presidió la Misa Jubilar y durante la homilía destacó que Jesús es el fundamento de nuestra esperanza. Invitó a todos los feligreses a vivir este camino jubilar de la mano de la Virgen María, Madre de la Esperanza, y exhortó a acoger el don de las indulgencias, asumiendo el reto de vivir con una esperanza activa y contagiosa, capaz de iluminar a los demás. Tomando como referencia el Evangelio de Mateo, donde Jesús se confronta con los fariseos (Mt 21,23-27), el Padre Osorio explicó que la pregunta de Jesús —“¿Con el poder o la autoridad de quién hago todas estas cosas?”— no solo se dirigía a los fariseos, sino que sigue interpelando a cada creyente hoy. “¿De dónde procede la fuerza que guía nuestra vida cristiana? ¿Quién es el centro de nuestra fe y de nuestra esperanza?”, cuestionó. El Padre Osorio subrayó que la Iglesia invita a vivir este Año Jubilar como un tiempo de gracia, renovación y esperanza. “No es un simple aniversario, sino un tiempo de Dios —dijo— donde se nos recuerda que nuestra esperanza no está en estructuras humanas ni en cálculos políticos, sino en la autoridad y en el amor de Jesucristo resucitado”. Una familia se une en oración ante la  Cruz Jubilar que contiene una reliquia de la Verdadera Cruz, buscando fuerza y bendición a través de su fe . (Foto ICR/Vero Gutiérrez)   (Fotos del ICR/Vero Gutiérrez) La jornada jubilar comenzó a las 6:30 p.m. con el sacramento de la Reconciliación, uno de los requisitos establecidos por la Iglesia Católica para poder obtener la indulgencia plenaria. Más tarde, en procesión desde el atrio hacia el interior de la catedral, el Padre Germán Osorio y el Padre Tim Segert, vicario parroquial, cargaron la Cruz Jubilar. A mitad de la nave, los fieles se detuvieron para venerar la reliquia de la Cruz verdadera antes de comenzar la Celebración Eucarística. Esta Cruz, que permanecerá expuesta durante todo el año. Durante su homilía, el Padre Osorio explicó que durante este camino jubilar, la Iglesia nos abre el tesoro de las indulgencias.  Reconoció además que en ocasiones se malinterpreta este don, pero en realidad es un signo de la misericordia de Dios. Las indulgencias son un signo de la misericordia divina y no un premio que se gana. “Son una gracia que se recibe —dijo—, la posibilidad de experimentar más plenamente la fuerza de Cristo, que borra no solo la culpa, sino también las huellas del pecado en nuestra vida. Es como si el Señor nos preguntara de nuevo: ‘¿Con qué poder puedes sanar tu corazón?’. La respuesta es clara: con el poder de Cristo”. El reto para nosotros  Padre Osorio, con énfasis, planteó a la comunidad el reto de vivir con coherencia esa esperanza. Recordó nuevamente el pasaje evangélico de la Liturgia de la Palabra en este día, donde Jesús no discute con los fariseos para ganar una batalla dialéctica, sino para mostrar que su autoridad viene del Padre y estaba respaldada por las obras del amor.  En nuestro caso, aseguró el Padre nos toca dar testimonio de esa autoridad de Cristo en el mundo. Con una vida de oración que alimente nuestra esperanza, con gestos concretos de caridad y reconciliación, y con la decisión de acoger las gracias jubilares —confesión, Eucaristía, indulgencias— como medios para crecer en santidad.  “El reto —subrayó— es vivir de tal manera que, cuando otros nos pregunten por la autoridad de nuestra fe, puedan ver que no se trata de nuestras fuerzas, sino de la presencia viva de Cristo en nosotros”. En la parte final de la homilía, el Padre Germán Osorio indicó que hoy Jesús nos invita a reconocerlo como la fuente de toda autoridad y la raíz de nuestra esperanza. Al finalizar la Misa se realizó una Hora Santa con el Santísimo Sacramento expuesto sobre el altar hasta las 9:45 p.m., en un ambiente de cantos y alabanzas dirigidos por el Padre Germán Osorio y el responsable del ministerio hispano de la Catedral, Oscar Sánchez. Durante todo el año jubilar, la reliquia de la Cruz permanecerá expuesta en la Catedral de Saint John the Evangelist para que los peregrinos puedan obtener indulgencias plenarias. También se podrá hacer en la iglesia de Saint Joseph en Pocatello, dentro de la Diócesis de Boise.   Para obtener la indulgencia Plenaria   Es importante estar en Gracia de Dios mediante la confesión (Una sola confesión puede servir para varias indulgencias, pero tiene que estas en gracia en el momento) Comunión Eucarística (Debe recibir una para cada indulgencia), Oración por las intenciones del Papa (Se puede rezar un Padre Nuestro, Ave María y Gloria). Desapego total de todo pecado, incluso venial.

A group of friends from north Idaho parishes take time to pose for a picture while traveling to Centergurg, Ohio for the Damascus Summer Camp for youth last summer. About 35 north Idaho youth attended the camp. (Courtesy photo) By Bryan Saye For the ICR   How do 35 Catholic youth from northern Idaho end up together in the Midwest, more than 2,000 miles from home?   With the help of a few key players, involvement across several parishes and one northern Idaho apostolate, they were able to organize a weeklong trip this summer to Centerburg, Ohio, near Columbus, for the annual Damascus Summer Camp for youth.   Launched in 2001 as a parish-based initiative in the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, Damascus is described as an ongoing mission to bring youth closer to their Catholic faith. It is named after the experience of St. Paul the Apostle, who underwent a dramatic and profound conversion to Christianity while traveling to Damascus.   “Our mission is to awaken, empower and equip a generation to live the adventure of the Catholic faith through world-class programs and an environment of encounter,” the organization states on its website.   The trip to Damascus all started with Jeff Zember, a member of both Saint Thomas the Apostle and Saint Pius X parishes in northern Idaho. He’s attended the Damascus camp privately the last few years, taking his children and a few of their friends. He describes the camp as “absolutely ‘best in class’ Catholic on all accounts.”   The camp’s mix of adventure, spirituality and encounter environment leads to transformational experiences, he said.   The camp “[It’s] situated on about 500 acres,” Zember told the [ITAL./]   Idaho Catholic Register (ICR).  “They have a bunch of high-adventure stuff … like rock climbing, swimming in the pool, a huge swing and paintball. They buckle it with a deep spiritual connection and all things Catholic – engaging in the sacrament, adoration, processions and confessions.”   Still, a campus full of activities wouldn’t be enough without devout and energetic Catholic men and women to engage the youth.   As Zember pointed out, “The missionaries are at the heart of it. The campus would be hollow if it weren’t for the missionaries … They have a very intentional faith formation in the way they serve these youth every week.”   And by “every week,” Zember referred to the nine groups of 500 youth that come through the camp every summer. That’s 4,500 people – not counting chaperones – who visit Damascus over a stretch of nine weeks.   Through simple word-of-mouth communication from Catholic youth who had experienced the excitement and spirituality at Damascus in years past, the tri-parish youth of northern Idaho, which includes Saint Thomas the Apostle, Saint Pius X and Saint Joan of Arc parishes, all jumped on board.   The trip But organizing a trip across country is a little different from just taking a few family friends. Thankfully, Zember didn’t have to do it on his own. He approached Wes Miller, coordinator for youth ministry at Saint Pius X Parish, who had also been to Damascus a few years prior.   Miller spent two and a half days at the camp, rather than the whole week, though his trip was anything but accidental. Wanting to improve as a youth minister, he’d heard about Damascus and decided to see what it was all about.   He asked himself, “Within youth ministry, how can we improve?”   “As a church, we’re trying to respond to the needs of our youth in the year 2025. I caught wind of what Damascus is doing. They’re doing it really well,” he said.   During his visit, he was able to see both the physical and spiritual elements that made Damascus work. On the physical level, he saw “the nuts and bolts behind what [they] do,” he said. “It’s a lot of high-energy activities during the day, [like] rope courses and all the water activities. [The missionaries are] trying to build relationships with the kids and have a good time.” Miller continued by describing the more spiritual aspects he witnessed during his second day at Damascus:   “[I was] seeing the spiritual component of it and getting to know the leaders, getting to pray with the different missionaries and having them pray for me,” he explained. “I’m getting to the heart of what they’re doing there. The culture that they’ve built at Damascus is so palpable – it’s the air that you breathe while you’re there. Every single person that you talk to carries a genuine love for Christ.”   While Miller didn’t act in any official capacity as coordinator of youth ministry, he was able to provide some space for Zember to speak during the youth groups. Zember introduced them to Damascus and started gathering contact information from young people and their parents who might be interested in attending.   With 35 youth signed up, the next step would be to address the logistics.   Enter Jason Chavez and his apostolate, CommunioCDA. He’d been on the trip to Damascus with Miller two years ago and shared the same desire to give the area’s youth a chance to visit the camp.   Chavez cited the communal nature of the youth of northern Idaho while planning the trip.   “It wasn’t just [one parish]; it was all these kids in north Idaho,” he explained. “It wasn’t about the parishes; it was about these kids coming together … [kids] who wanted to encounter Christ.”   With his apostolate focused on serving all Catholic youth in northern Idaho rather than any single parish, he was able to organize a fundraising event to help cover expenses. Hosted by Saint Pius X Parish, the evening featured food, fellowship, and faith formation. Youth were invited and encouraged to bring their friends along.   Despite raising nearly $2,000, Chavez wanted to highlight the communal nature of the event.   “I think the greater thing was everybody showing up, the community [coming] together, the kids talking, [and] the parents . . . kind of breaking down those walls of parishes and being there for the kids,” he said.   The team decided to choose the ninth and final week of Damascus’s summer camp schedule, Aug. 3-8. It was good timing since there were no northern Idaho sports going on to otherwise conflict with the camp.   The trip was just as successful as the organizers had hoped, the youth coming back spiritually on fire. They didn’t simply take the experience and let it settle; they came back ready to bring that spirit of evangelization and encounter.   “We had a great turnout,” Miller said, recalling the first youth group night following the camp. “These young adults and older teens came back to the youth group with a different mindset of being on mission. That’s the fruit that I’m seeing.”   He specifically recalled one young man, Joseph Girard, a 16-year-old high school student who credits the Damascus trip with a deepening of his faith. While he enjoyed the activities – specifically the “ropes course, having fun at the lake and doing paintball” – he felt an especially powerful connection to the counselors and missionaries who made it all possible.   “[I loved] being surrounded by God-fearing campers and counselors,” he said. “I don’t think I experienced such a powerful adoration in my life before.”   When asked what made the adoration so memorable, his words returned immediately to the community around him.   “It was just the people [who] were on fire for the Lord,” he said. “We were doing praise and worship while the Eucharist was being shown up close. The counselors there were really outgoing, really easy to get along with. You wanted to be friends with them and get to know them. Doing activities with your brothers and sisters in Christ made the spiritual times even more powerful, I think.”   After Damascus, he’s noticed profound changes in his personal and spiritual life, inspiring him to switch from a public high school in Coeur d’Alene to Coeur du Christ Academy.   He’s already applied to return to Damascus next summer as a volunteer. He’s excited even to work in a behind-the-scenes capacity, whether it’s cooking or cleaning, just to have a chance to get back.   On the spiritual side, he’s seen an increase in his appreciation for the Mass and prayer.   “I was still a practicing Catholic before, but it felt like I was going through the motions,” he explained. “When I was at Mass or when I was saying the rosary, sometimes it felt more like a burden than something I did devoutly. After Damascus, it’s made me appreciate the Mass more and appreciate my prayer life more.”   He finished with some words of wisdom: “I don’t go to Mass because it ‘feels good.’ I go because I love God, and I love my Creator. Damascus helped me realize that.”