By Gigi Fontanilla - Mary Help of Christians Church

Photography: COURTESY | Janis Sanchez

BOYNTON BEACH | On a chilly Saturday at the end of January, “the Word became flesh” for more than 300 young adults who took part in the annual retreat put on by the seminarians of St. Vincent de Paul.

Now in its sixth year, this was the largest young adult gathering to date, thanks to social media and word of mouth: 320 young adults came from as far away as Jacksonville and Miami for the all-day event, which was organized by 55 seminarians.

“Words cannot describe the feeling,” said Evelyn Pacheco, a catechist and core member of the youth program at Mary Help of Christians Church in Parkland.

This year’s theme, “And the Word Became Flesh,” invited the young adults to focus on the mystery of the Incarnation.

Talks were given by the seminary’s deacons, who witnessed to how God has worked in their lives. Mercedarian Sister Jeanette Estrata spoke to the young adults about “Jesus among us” while the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. And Dominican Father Robert Christian, consultor to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and a scholar-in-residence at the seminary, spoke about the Incarnation.

The day ended with Theology on Tap and a commissioning prayer for missionaries by Deacon Lawrence Peck, a previous organizer of the retreat.

The sacrament of confession was offered for several hours and Mass was con-celebrated by several priests on staff. The seminary’s rector and president, Msgr. David Toups, was the main celebrant and homilist. He delivered an empowering message of hope and encouragement for all the young adults.

The seminarians themselves provided the music during adoration, Mass, and after dinner out in the courtyard. They also served as small group leaders.

A new feature this year was the choice of a post-dinner activity: either listen to the seminarians’ praise and worship team or take a walk to pray and reflect one-on-one with a seminarian or religious sister.

In addition to meals, the young adults received a commemorative T-shirt bearing the theme, “The Word Became Flesh.”

Ania Pierzyk attended the retreat with several friends from her young adult group at St. Patrick Church in Palm Beach Gardens.

“I can always count on them,” she said of her peers, who have become like her extended family. Pierzyk’s parents are still in Poland. “The seminarians did an amazing job,” she added.

Tess Mazzella, who is from Holy Name of Jesus Parish in West Palm Beach, has attended the retreat each of the last six years. The first year, only 80 young adults participated, and the day lasted only through the afternoon and evening.

“It’s been great to seeing the progression and growth of the retreat and what each group of seminarians brings to the planning of the retreat,” she said. “It is always new and refreshing.”

“It was great seeing young adults all over coming together and seeing the seminarians witness,” said Ricky Vazquez, a first time attendee.

Vazquez took part in the Life Teen program as a high schooler at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Pembroke Pines and is now involved with the Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Miami. On weekends, he drives back to St. Max to co-lead the music ministry at the Sunday evening Life Teen Mass.

“This is a great experience for us who are in formation for the priesthood,” said seminarian Kevin Garcia, noting that most seminarians are in the same age group as the young adults, 23-35.

“Not only do we have a chance to minister to the young adults of our state, but we also learn a great deal about organizing such a large event,” Garcia said. “We learn how to collaborate with our brother seminarians, think through countless details, and spiritually create an environment where the retreatants can have an authentic encounter with Christ.”

Gigi Fontanilla is a young adult from St. Andrew Parish in Coral Springs. Freelancer Blanca Morales also contributed to this report.