BRAZIL, Priscila Bernardo. At the insistence of my friends, I decided to write a testimony about what World Youth Day Rio 2013 and the International Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth Meeting – Cor Unum – meant for me. I have put things in order and hope that everyone can see themselves in this and increasingly become true instruments at the hands of our Blessed Mother.
Last week someone congratulated me for participating in WYD, because I was a fighter! This is why I decided to share my experiences leading up to WYD.
In 2012 I made up my mind that I would be in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013
In 2012, I made up my mind that I would be in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013. I started working to make sure that this would happen – paying the instalments to attend the Cor Unum meeting, the preparations, invitations to form part of the various committees, the work, everything got underway. But in December, I encountered the first obstacle: I was hospitalized for five days and I left the hospital without knowing what had made me so sick.
2013 had started and I believed I was alright. I felt 100%. But there were other obstacles, and I realized that something was wrong with me. I started asking myself: is it just my body or is the spiritual also beginning to fail?
This is when I set up my Home Shrine and this strengthened me spiritually. Through all this I underwent tests and more tests, saw various trusted specialists to find out what had happened to me months earlier.
I went to the doctor’s office to find out the result of all the tests: I carry an auto-immune disease
One day I went to the doctor’s office to hear the result of all the tests: I carry an auto-immune disease. I would have to take anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants for the rest of my life. The doctor also told me to give up on the WYD because I wouldn’t cope. I’m disobedient, everyone knows that…that’s when I decided: not only will I go, but I’ll also be a volunteer! I’ll place everything into the hands of our Queen, and she’ll take perfect care! I travelled to Atibaia on 14 July 2013 and this is when my World Youth Day began. This was the period of my life when I truly got to know myself. I learned my limits, met new people who became incredibly special to me, I learned the real meaning of Schoenstatt – even if I thought I knew it earlier – and I set my heart on new conquests!
I was sick three times between 14 and 29 July from the side effects of my medication…unfortunately I took the prize for being the sickest of the group …or was it fortunately? Exactly that! Fortunately! I was part of a group, and this meant that I took first place among the thirty girls who were also part of the group! But I didn’t give up, I helped to make history!
It was a difficult time but I was secure
I recognize that it was a difficult time, because I decided not to go around telling everyone what had happened. This was also because during this time my grandmother was ill and passed away, meaning that I had to be strong to support my father and aunt, who were constantly at the hospital, hoping for some improvement, and I, in the midst of all information of the prognosis knew how difficult she could be! But what could I do? Why should I give up? It wasn’t worth it! Nothing can shake my faith, if I believe that it is strong!!! Nothing would be worth that!! I went prepared to walk 26km, to go without food, without a shower, to renounce anything I needed. And I needed to renounce some other things, even during WYD!
But I have nothing to complain about! Only to be thankful!
The Blessed Mother gave me this chance and I’m here to tell you all of this. Thanks to her, everything turned out well, I am here telling you all of this and moved by the fact that I DID NOT GIVE UP! The biggest lesson of these sixteen days? It is worth it! Everything is worth it! The sacrifices, a smile even when nothing is ok, a hug when all you want to do is cry, everything!
I am enormously grateful to each person who was by my side during this WYD. And through every moment of my life. I love all of you very much! You were, each in your own way, important people in my life!
English translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
