Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Garrett Michelsen traveled to the Jubilee of Youth with plans to attend the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, but the event was postponed following the death of Pope Francis. Despite this change, Michelsen described his experience as affirming for his faith and connection to the global Catholic community.

“It was awe inspiring to see how truly catholic, as in universal, the Church is. You see the flags waving and people chanting in all the different languages. You think of Jesus giving us the command to go and baptize all the nations — and we’re doing it. It was cool to see all the different countries and cultures being brought to one celebration of youth,” Michelsen said.

During his trip, he found support among groups from Brazil and Mexico. He noted that language barriers did not prevent meaningful connections: “A lesson I learned was, the more you give then more you receive,” he said about exchanging gifts with a Brazilian group. “All we knew is that we loved each other,” he added. “We didn’t have the words, but we found a way to communicate through laughing and each other’s presence.”

Michelsen met these new friends on a bus ride and later camped out with them after Eucharistic Adoration while waiting for Mass at Tor Vergata. They invited him back to their accommodations with the Sisters of the Poor of St. Catherine of Siena.

As a lay Dominican at age 28, Michelsen visited nearly 30 churches during his stay, including Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church where he prayed before Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s body—someone who served as an inspiration due to their shared Dominican vocation.

He reflected on visiting these historic churches: “Jesus is the same everywhere.” He continued, “Yes, I recognized the beauty. But then every time I saw the tabernacle, it was me thinking Jesus is the exact same in Orlando as He is here. There’s no difference.”

The highlight for Michelsen remained moments centered around Eucharistic worship—whether with new friends or observing church leaders such as Pope Leo XIV during Adoration. He recalled watching Bishop John Noonan pray before the Blessed Sacrament in Orlando: “It was one of the coolest experiences. It brought me so much comfort and love watching my bishop pray. It was beautiful. The same thing came to mind during Adoration at the jubilee when Pope Leo was praying. It’s as if he was teaching us how to pray. It’s beautiful to see your shepherds do that for you, and for Christ,” he said.

Both Blessed Acutis and Blessed Frassati were cited by Michelsen for their reverence toward Eucharist; however, Frassati held particular significance due to their shared background: “He’s manly. He’s like a bro. But he’s just the most humble person you can think of,” said Michelsen.“As St.Pope John Paul II said it so beautifully,'He was a man of beatitudes.' After reflecting on Beatitudes,I knew that is what I want be like.Paul says imitate me like I imitate Christ.And I thought ,imitate Pier Giorgio as he imitates Paul ,who imitates Christ.I want be like this man.”

Michelsen expressed hope that upcoming canonizations would inspire young people:“What I hope canonizations inspire is hope in youth ,for them have hope.In world we think there’s lack faith,but there not.People are willing put their faith anything.There lack hope ,of having hope Christ.”He pointed out challenges facing young people today,such as depression anxiety,and suggested that virtues gained through Baptism could offer support.His desire:“allow hope spurn awaken those theological virtues (faith ,hope,charity) within young people.”

The Diocese of Orlando (https://www.orlandodiocese.org/) has been active since 1968 and serves multiple counties across Central Florida under Bishop James Noonan's leadership.