Youth minister: Pope emphasized ‘the gift young people are to the Church’

Rachel Gilman, center, director of youth ministry for the archdiocese, shares the joy of taking part in World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023 with her friends, Marissa Paradiso. left, and Jen Linder. (Submitted photo)

By Mike Krokos

It should come as no surprise that Rachel Gilman has fond memories of the times she was in the presence of Pope Francis.

What might be surprising is the fact that the archdiocesan director of youth ministry saw the late pontiff on multiple occasions during overseas journeys.

“I got goose bumps every time,” said Gilman, who has been in her position with the archdiocese for nearly two years. Previously, she was the director of youth ministry at Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

While studying abroad in England, she travelled to Rome in 2013 after Pope Francis was elected, attended Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square and took part in a papal audience. In 2023, she was among the estimated 1.5 million people who attended World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. She also was among a group from

Holy Spirit Parish who went on a pilgrimage to Rome a few years ago, where they also attended an audience.

“Our pilgrimage company, the director knew his stuff and got us into the front row of our section, and [Pope Francis] drove by in his popemobile right in front of us,” Gilman said, smiling as she reminisced about that day. “That was awesome! It was the first time I got to see him up close.”

Gilman, 33, also got to see the pope “up close” during World Youth Day in Portugal. As she and her group were camping out for the Vigil Mass, “he drove by all the sections, and he drove by our section a couple of times.”

The director of youth ministry admitted seeing the pope in person still has a profound impact on her. “There’s something … it’s like no other feeling to be in the presence of the leader of your Church who feels so far away normally,” she said, “but then, it feels so real, all of a sudden.”

Gilman remembered feeling that way when she was in St. Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday Mass with Pope Francis in 2013.

“I remember feeling like, ‘Holy cow, this is the universal Church,’ ” she said. “It made more sense being in his presence … of realizing this person exists, not just this idea of this leader, but he’s a humble man right in front of me.”

During World Youth Day in Portugal, Gilman especially recalled how the late pope connected with those in attendance through his simple, yet profound, words.

“I remember his emphasizing the gift young people are to the Church and that we should be heard, and that the Church needs us,” she said. “As a young adult, and working for the Church as a young person, to hear our pope say that in your presence, that was really powerful. It was a reminder of my place and my importance in the Church.”

Gilman said the pontiff will also be remembered for the witness he offered through his ministry to the entire Church. “He felt very human to me, in the sense of [how] he was always very accessible to people,” she said.

“He also recognized the lost, the vulnerable and the outsiders so much that you couldn’t help but feel valued,” she continued.

At World Youth Day in Portugal, Pope Francis reminded those in attendance, “In the Church there is room for everyone. ‘Father, but I am a wretch, is there room for me?’ There is room for everyone! All together now, everyone, repeat with me in your own language: Everyone, everyone, everyone!”

As she reflected on Pope Francis’ papal ministry from 2013-25, Gilman was grateful for the time he led the Church as its universal shepherd. She also said the unusual way into which he was elected into his role—after Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly resigned in 2013—will be remembered as well.

“The gifts of Pope Benedict [XVI] were right for his time,” she said, “and I feel the gifts of Pope Francis were right for his time.” †

 

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