Earlier this year, the Fe y Vida Institute organized a group from across the country to travel to Rome for the Jubilee. Fe y Vida equips pastoral ministers, young adult leaders and parents for the New Evangelization of young Latino people across the U.S. Hernandez, a parishioner of St. Anthony Parish in Kyle and Our Lady of Wisdom Parish at Texas State University, was excited to be on the trip, which changed dramatically when Pope Francis died on Easter Monday.

“When we heard about the pope’s death I was upset, but then I said to myself that I was now able to see a pope’s funeral, which is not something you see every day,” Hernandez said.

Also on the trip was Yazmin Mani Malone, the Pastoral Juvenil Hispana associate in the Diocese of Austin’s Youth, Young Adults and Campus Ministry Office. She helped plan the trip, which was altered very quickly with the Holy Father’s death.

“As I boarded the plane, I remembered a quote from Pope Francis who said, ‘God is a God of surprises’ and yes, what a surprise!” she said.

Viewing Pope Francis lying in state in a simple wooden coffin inside St. Peter's Basilica was something Yazmin will never forget.

“My heart was racing as we walked toward St. Peter’s then passed through the Holy Doors,” she said. “The Vatican had it designed where your attention and focus was to see Pope Francis. For an instant I did see him, and all I said was, ‘Pope Francis, pray for jovenes.’”

Yazmin’s husband, David, was also on the trip, and he felt honored to be there as well.

“Not many people are called to be present at such a unique and rare event. May he rest in perpetual peace,” David said.

Two priests led the bilingual pilgrimage, which included visits to St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, Scala Santa and the neighboring St. John Lateran Basilica and St. Mary Major Basilica, where Pope Francis was laid to rest.

Hernandez said his favorite parts of the trip included visiting Assisi and St. Claire Basilica and eating pizza!

The Texas State University junior said along the way he learned all about Blessed Carlos Acutis and said seeing his uncorrupt young body, dressed in casual college-like clothing, was a one-of-a-kind experience.

At first, Hernandez was not sure what to think of Blessed Carlo, who died at the young age of 15, but as he learned more about the future saint who was devoted to the Eucharist, he realized what an inspiration Blessed Carlo is.

“I think he will continue to motivate young followers of Christ to seek Christ in all they do,” Hernandez said. “Like he said, ‘the Eucharist is the highway to heaven.’”

The Vatican has not announced the rescheduled date of the canonization of Blessed Carlo, who continues to inspire young adults from all over the world.

Hernandez, a college student who plays soccer, likes to fish, has a part-time job and plays the violin, is learning the guitar and is very involved in both his hometown parish and his university parish. He encourages people who cannot travel to Rome to visit one of the pilgrimage sites in Central Texas to celebrate the Year of Jubilee. Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish, where Hernandez is active during the school year, is one of the 11 local sites, where one can receive a plenary indulgence (see Page 19 for details).

“Our Lady of Wisdom Parish is awesome,” Hernandez said. “Everyone should visit it sometime.”

Maybe a visit to a vibrant parish or maybe a visit to Rome is all it takes to bring one home, Yazmin said.

“One moment that strikes my heart again and again is standing in St. Peter’s Basilica and remembering the saying that all roads lead to Rome,” she said. “I felt myself outside of time yet still in the present: seeing so many happy joyous vocations and knowing that God’s plan for all of humanity is sainthood.”