Editor's note: This is the second part of a series. Check the May 19 edition of The Catholic Week online at mobarch.org to read the first installment.
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”
— Jeremiah 29:11
When I was notified that I was accepted into the Called to Witness program, I also learned the names of the people that I would be traveling with to El Salvador. I recognized one name in the group but the rest I did not know by name. We all had experience in youth ministry, so that was something in common. Over several months leading up to the journey, there would be several conference calls to get to know each other and the program. The people that would share this experience with me were unknown for the most part but would be forever a part of an incredible journey! To this day, I still feel a special connection to each and every one of the participants.
A day or two before one of the conference calls, it was announced that Archbishop Oscar Romero would be beatified in El Salvador three days after our journey was scheduled to conclude. Beatification is the second stage in the process of proclaiming a person a saint. I was disappointed that we would not be there for the beatification but still very excited for the opportunity to be in the same location where the celebration would take place only a few days after my departure.
During the conference call, the beatification came up in the discussion. We had already agreed to the amount that we were going to pay for the trip, and it would cost a little bit more to try to stay an extra three days and be present for the beatification.
Everyone on the call wanted to be a part of the celebration. This would not be easy due to the fact that hundreds of thousands were expected, and rooms might be difficult to book. A couple of days later, we were excited to learn that the changes were made, and our trips and lives would be changed.
This was an awesome opportunity to celebrate with the people of El Salvador for the next step on the road to canonization for Archbishop Romero.
We continued to meet and prepare for the journey. Prior to flying to El Salvador, we would meet in Baltimore at the offices of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for a full day of orientation.
When I went to check in for my flight to Baltimore the day before, I was told that there was a problem with my flight. I was no longer on the flight that would take me to Baltimore and there were very little options. I told my contact at CRS, and he quickly worked on the situation.
He called me back very shortly with good news that I was on a new flight and would be able to make it to Baltimore in time for the orientation. It was an anxious moment but quickly resolved.
The orientation was excellent and very useful in preparing for our time in the country. We learned a lot about Catholic Relief Services. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the people that I would accompany on this trip. The next day, we would board our plane to Houston and then to El Salvador. I had a lot of emotions that night and did not get a lot of sleep. I was excited and anxious but ready to begin the journey.
The next day we boarded the plane and set off for El Salvador. After a brief layover in Houston, we were heading to our destination.
Next time: Arriving in El Salvador
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected]
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