ECyD Rome Testimony

How can I even begin to describe Rome for me? I was invited last year, signed up, got my flights, and let it fade to the back burner. I knew it was coming closer but I never thought about how I was going to Rome. Me, a fifteen year old kid who only speaks english, was going to the international convention. Come Christmas and I finally realized that I was “representing” America there. That’s a pretty large amount of stress for a teenager, “What if they don’t speak English?” or “what if I don’t get along with them” were the ever present worries. Yet as soon as I arrived, My fears were completely forgotten as I was instantly welcomed into a team of ECyD members from around the world. Mexico, Brazil, Italy, France, The Philippines, USA, and Chile were all represented in Team 6. 

I got invited to the International ECyD Team Leader Convention over the previous summer. In summary, we were there to grow closer to Christ and to realize that ECyD was more than just your own country. We were also given the opportunity to see the heart of the church in Rome. We visited too many churches to count and even got to hear the Pope’s new years angelus and following prayer. 

We were given plenty of time to relax and have fun as well as focus on prayer and becoming better prepared to run our clubs. The talks were well structured and designed to make us think and challenge us. For example, we had several talks about leadership and a very thought provoking talk on morality and gender ideology. I grew spiritually from these conferences and became more assured of my own beliefs.

During the first conference, every country had to come up with a word to describe ECyD, America’s was united. The reason we chose united was because every person at the convention felt like a family member. All of us bonded over our shared experiences in ECyD like running clubs and realizing that all of our struggles were the same in a way I’ve never done with anyone else before. These teenagers overcame every boundary in order to form a relationship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Our conferences were always thought provoking and led to me questioning myself and how to better deepen my relationship with Christ. I’ve never left a retreat or event with as deep convictions as I did from Rome.

Over time these convictions have only grown deeper of how I must live my life. One of the best moments was during adoration when I totally surrendered to God and felt this wave of assurance and complete serenity overtake me. I didn’t feel anything except wanting to stay there and keep this feeling for as long as possible. I’ve learned from that experience that when surrendering totally, we gain complete freedom. This paradox is only made possible by God.. During confession the priest told me that “when you go to Mary with empty hands, she hands you the Baby Jesus to hold” and I totally agree with him. The convention has changed me in so many ways even I don’t know.

-Matt Block
ECyD Member