Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the Eucharistic Marian Youth Day (JEMJ) of Covadonga at the beginning of July was "an immense grace. Above all, to see the Lord at work in the hearts of the young people," who this year numbered about 1,700, of 28 nationalities, with 200 volunteers and 40 priests.
WYD 2025 offered participants a novelty that was not available last year: a perpetual adoration chapel. where, "at any time of the day or night, young people could pray before Jesus in the Eucharist".
"The initiative has proved to be a real success," notes the Sister Beatriz Liaño. "The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the adoration chapel located in front of the Basilica of Covadonga and it was impressive to try to enter and not find material space where to kneel".
The young people wanted to remain close to the Blessed Sacrament
"The young people wanted to remain close to the exposed Blessed Sacrament, to the point that we had to set up a second chapel for adoration (in the early hours of the morning) because there was no room for them in the Holy Cave," he explains.
On the night of Saturday, July 5-6, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the Holy Cave at the end of the Adoration Vigil. The young people were invited to spend time, in shifts, throughout the night, adoring the Lord. "The response was so great that the priests who were on vigil, offering the young people the sacrament of confession, had to step out and re-expose the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel to welcome the young people who wanted to be with the Lord and could not fit in the Holy Cave."
Sister Beatriz comments: "Contemplating them, one could only say: Blessed be the Lord. Objective accomplished. These young people now know where the source is where they can quench their thirst for love and happiness: in the Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist".
Internet down at startup
In fact, the WYD started on Friday despite the last minute unforeseen events, because the Internet was down. "Minutes before the opening of the reception of the young people, the entire internet of the sanctuary of Covadonga was down, threatening to make it impossible to broadcast the events," explained the organization.
"The night before, an unexpectedly strong storm had forced the cancellation of the final rehearsals of this year's choir and festival. The difficulties did not deter the two hundred volunteers who had been working for days to get everything ready to welcome the 1,700 young people registered from 28 different nationalities", emphasize the promoters. "In fact, the forecasts were exceeded, to the point of exhausting the food packages and almost the capacity of this year's accommodation".
Relic of Carlo Acutis and his legacy
The Holy Mass of opening Juan Carlos Elizalde, Bishop of Vitoria. On the first day, minutes before the start of the solemn entrance of the relic of the Heart of Jesus, Bishop Juan Carlos Elizalde, Bishop of Vitoria, presided. Carlo Acutis on the esplanade, it was possible to listen to the video message sent by Antonia Salzano, mother of the future Italian saint.
In the evening came the JEMJ Festival presented by Catholic Stuff, which featured the premiere of 'A Famous Nun. Clare Crockett, a life put on stage'. The performance "really touched the hearts of the young people who vibrated to the rhythm of the fears, the illusions, the struggles and the victory of God's grace in the heart of the Irish nun".
Marco Gaballo, OFM Cap., Rector of the Sanctuary of Despojo (Assisi) and custodian of the relic of the heart of Carlo Acutis. Friar Marco Caballo spoke to the young people on "The Heart of Carlo Acutis".The Eucharistic legacy of Carlo Acutis"and proposed Carlo "as an example of a teenager with a heart full of light".
WYD July 2026: "Do whatever He tells you".
Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, began with a time of Eucharistic adoration. Fr. Alonso helped the young participants of the WYD to place themselves in the presence of the Lord with their prayer points.
At 12:00 noon, the holy mass began Closing Mass Jesús Sanz Montes, Archbishop of Oviedo, with more than forty priests in attendance. At the end of the celebration, Rafael Alonso, who was celebrating his 45th anniversary as a priest, announced the date of the next JEMJOn July 10, 11 and 12, 2026, again in Covadonga, under the motto "Do whatever He tells you".
"La Santina has already signed up," said Monsignor Sanz jokingly at the conclusion, after the thanksgiving. To the Brothers and Sisters of the Home of the Mother, to all the volunteers and to the Choir of voices and instruments, with whom "we have been able to pray several times, more than the two that St. Augustine owed". To the priests and deacons, to so many sisters of different charisms, to the abbot, priests of the Chapter and sisters who work in the Shrine. Rafael Alonso, for his birthday as a priest.
