Before I start talking about my wonderful faith journey — filled with so much adventure, courage, and glory—I would like to start by giving thanks to a few very special people and communities in my life, with whom the Lord has ever so graciously blessed me.

First, I want to acknowledge my loving parents and family, who have supported and helped me throughout my entire faith journey. They have always driven me places, taken good care of me, and have constantly given me more love than I could ever ask for. Next, thank you to my school, Bellarmine College Preparatory, which has given me the opportunity to further explore and to act upon my faith. 

Also, thank you to my home parish of Saint John Vianney, which is home to the kindest and most wonderful people I have ever met. And finally, thank you to the hard-working and gracious hosts who have invited us here today in this holy space.

Being here today in front of everyone is such an honor that it is impossible to describe my gratitude for this recognition. If you had told little 10-year-old me in catechism class 7 years ago that I would be giving this speech, I would not have believed a single thing you said. But well, I am here! 

If I am here in front of you all today, it is because the Lord wanted to show my ten year old self — and all the other youth in the Diocese of San José— that when He calls you to do something great, and you answer, amazing things will happen.

My faith journey began when I attended catechism and Mass, although I admit never really paying attention to the readings, being just a naïve little boy. What I would do was stare at the stained-glass paintings on the walls and try to decipher what was going on in each of them. 

Even so, I always loved serving at Mass! I enjoyed walking down the aisle, looking up at that big Jesus on the cross. I always raised my hand whenever the church needed a volunteer. I still didn’t really understand the significance of what I was doing, but in doing it, it felt right.

As I matured, I started exploring my faith outside of volunteering at church, and I attended a special retreat called Kairos. Kairos is a retreat where a group of Bellarmine boys spend the week away from their worries and schoolwork, dedicating time to getting closer to God. 

On the last full day before we left, our small group would go into our designated room and partake in communal prayer. During this time, there was a cross and a lit candle in the middle of a darkened room. We would take turns passing around the cross and those holding it could pray for anything that was on their hearts.

During that time, and I can only describe it this way: I felt God himself in my heart and soul, taking the worries out of my heart — worries I didn’t even know I had — and I felt him giving me the strength to express this experience out loud. That night I cried in front of my peers. Over the course of the full week, in the presence of God, we grew close enough to open to each other that we cried as young men.

Since then, I have wanted to bring that experience of the presence of God to other people! It was such a wonderful feeling that I felt I had to share it with others, and what better way than giving back to the community that had given me the opportunity to grow so close to God? 

I joined a nonprofit organization in my junior year, which helps families with a hospital-bound child stay closer to their child. Through JW House, I saw God’s work. The people are wonderful, and their work is powerful! Last year, the student board raised 40,000 dollars, which all went back to the community! 

Once I started sharing this gratitude and holy feeling, God became present everywhere in my life as my relationship with him strengthened.

Now, every day before I leave my car to catch the bus, my mom and I pray the “Hail Mary” and the “Our Father” to start the day off strong and keep that strength throughout the day. Whenever I have a big event coming up, I pray; whenever I have a bad day, I pray; whenever I feel stressed, I pray. 

Sometimes I pray even when I do not have anything I need; I do it to show my gratitude for my relationship with God.  I learned a lot about my relationship with God at the Diocesan Youth Retreat.  To all youth who might be confused about what a relationship with God really is, I strongly encourage you to check that retreat out!

But going back to my personal relationship with the Lord, I know that whenever I am feeling down on my luck and feel the pressure of everyday life crawling up my back. I know that I can close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then suddenly I can feel God himself with his hands on my shoulders, taking whatever burden I have on me, onto himself. 

It is powerful, but it is also empowering. When the Lord blesses you with his presence, he is calling you towards servant leadership, to guide the lost, the weak, and the weary to that warm embrace which he has taken you into. When the lord takes our broken hearts and fills them with love, it is our duty as men and women of God to go out and love our neighbors with the same love god has given us. That is why I am here in front of you all today: Christ gives us the power to do great things, but it is up to us to decide what we do with it!  So let us all seize the opportunity to accomplish His will together!  God bless you all!