Marist Youth: Sparking Faith through Community

Every Tuesday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the L Building dining hall, students gather for Marist Youth with the help of some Marist brothers in order to fellowship, pray, and have fun together while getting closer to God.

What is Marist Youth?

The gathering usually starts off with a quick icebreaker to get students more comfortable and acquainted with each other. Next, students are prompted to pray through activities such as “silent prayer,” a unique type of prayer where students sit quietly with their eyes closed in worship with God.

“For me, silent prayer genuinely feels like the only time that I can quiet my mind and that helps me get closer to God. It’s a very unique way of praying and I’m so glad that I got introduced to it,” says Columbus senior Nicholas Haddad.

Following this, a student from the Marist Youth staff gives a “talk” that involves some portion of their spiritual journey and is relatable to other high school students. This allows for students to then be placed into groups and discuss how the students’ talk impacted and related to them, encouraging emotional interaction and a deepening of relationships between students.

Senior Chris Beceiro giving his weekly talk at 8 p.m. at Columbus to spread the message of his faith Journey with assistance from Marist Youth Leaders.

Last week's speaker, Chris Beceiro, discussed the impact that God has made upon his life.

“It’s great to go up there and talk about my faith and I think that Marist Youth has really given me the courage to do that. Coming here since sophomore year, I’ve really seen my faith grow,” says Beceiro.

Even after Marist Youth is over, it’s not uncommon for students to go share a meal after with the new friends that they’ve made.

Impact on Students

Upon walking into Marist Youth, one may think it to be a simple gathering with not much to do. However, it’s only once one opens up to talk to someone, play a game, or share a spiritual experience that they truly get a taste of what Marist Youth is really about.

“Marist Youth has helped me realize that I can see God not only through prayer but also through friendships and community,” says Carrollton senior Alissa Azcuy.

Though the idea of going to a “faith gathering” may seem like a lot of pressure to some students, the idea surrounding Marist Youth is far from a formal prayer time. Instead, it’s about gathering in love with God’s presence to form relationships that embody what God’s true faith plan is for each one of us.

“It’s taught me how important it is to come together with my friends in a faith environment. And also how important it is for us to help each other grow in our faiths,” says Carrollton senior Wesleigh Vasquez.

It’s evident that for those within school and out of school, Marist Youth creates an environment in which students feel free to embark on their faith journey and lift each other up through community.

Running the Show

Although it’s easy to just look at all the success in building community and faith that Marist Youth has had, one cannot forget all the work of students and faculty that goes into helping set it up.

Students such as senior Luqui Malabet have had God transform their own faith journey and are now called to do the same so that others can have that same transformation.

“I mean God practically saved my life. I was at a pretty low point at one time and God was really the thing that got me through it. So spreading that message and helping other people feel the love that I felt is why I do Marist Youth.”

And it’s this continuous cycle of those finding the faith wanting to spread it that makes Marist Youth such a special place. This is evident in senior Mauricio Gonzalez’s journey.

“I started going at the end of my junior year just because some of my friends told me it was fun. And I fell in love with it after the first time going,” says Gonzalez.

Now serving as a leader, Mauricio has learned a lot about what faith and community does, especially at places like Marist Youth.

“I realized that people need people. And how much easier it is to get up from setbacks when you have people around you when you fall. And even the relationships that I make with people that are grounded in faith seem deeper than ones that aren't.”

For those who are new to praying, there are leaders to stand by as a guide. For those who have already been coming, there’s a community of others to pray and talk with. It seems that whoever you are, there’s something and someone for you at Marist Youth.

Next Steps to Join

If interested in going to Marist Youth, you can join in the L Building dining hall every Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.