Denver - A remarkable group of nine priests from the Archdiocese of Washington has joined forces to form "Priests in Concert," a musical ensemble aimed at supporting young people in their archdiocese to attend the highly anticipated World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled from August 1–6. The event, which gathers thousands of young Catholics from around the world, promises to be a transformative experience for those attending.
Being members of the Neocatechumenal Way, a Catholic movement focused on evangelization, the "Priests in Concert" band includes Fathers Pawel Sass, Yan Pietryga, Grzegorz Okulewicz, Mattia Cortigiani, Philip Ilg, John Benson, Salulo Vicente, Emanuel Lucero, and Daniele Rebeggiani. All of them share a profound connection with WYD, having discovered their vocations during previous gatherings of this nature.
Father Daniele Rebeggiani, an archdiocesan priest and secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., shed light on the origins of the band and their mission. It all began with a successful music event hosted by several priests after a young adult gathering. Recognizing its potential, the priests decided to rally more members and create a concert series as a fundraising initiative for WYD.
With popular tunes such as "Eye of the Tiger" and "Knocking on Heaven's Door," along with songs from different countries like Spain, Italy, Poland, Mexico, and Portugal, the concerts are a delightful mix of entertainment and spiritual reflection. As a special touch, some performances include vocation stories from the priests themselves or testimonials from young individuals who have previously attended a WYD.
The group's first concert raised an impressive $20,000 through ticket sales and donations. Eager to continue their fundraising efforts, they are gearing up for their next concert on July 21 at St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, Maryland, with the goal of raising an additional $10,000. These funds will help approximately 400 young pilgrims from the local area to embark on their life-changing pilgrimage to WYD in Lisbon.
For Father Rebeggiani and his fellow priests, WYD is more than just a gathering; it holds deep personal significance as a pivotal moment when they discovered their callings to the priesthood. Father Rebeggiani shared his own life-changing experience during the WYD in Cologne, Germany, in 2005, where he reconnected with God after a challenging period in his life.
He expressed his hope that the young pilgrims attending WYD will encounter God's love and feel valued, especially if they come from backgrounds of suffering or hardship. The pilgrimage aims to instil in them a desire to live for God's plans, recognizing the fulfillment and joy that come from aligning one's life with God's purpose.
As "Priests in Concert" continue their musical journey, their efforts embody the spirit of community and faith, uniting to empower the youth of their archdiocese and sending them forth on a profound spiritual adventure at World Youth Day in Lisbon. With music and faith intertwining, this band of priests is making a meaningful impact on the lives of young Catholics and nurturing their spiritual journeys.