More than 1,700 young Catholics from 28 countries gathered for the second consecutive year for the Marian Eucharistic Youth Day, with the firm resolve to undertake a new “reconquest”: that of hearts.
Newsroom (10 July 2025, Gaudium Press ) At the foot of the historic shrine in Covadonga, nestled in the rugged Picos de Europa mountains of Spain’s Asturias province, over 1,700 young Catholics from 28 countries converged for the second annual Marian Eucharistic Youth Day (JEMJ). Held from July 4-6, the event carried a bold mission: to ignite a modern “reconquest” of hearts through faith, centered on the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. The “Reconquista” (reconquest) refers to a series of battles over the course of centuries that in 1492 eventually ended the eighth-century Moorish conquest of Spain. The Battle of Covadonga (about 720) is considered the start of the Reconquista when Christian forces in Asturias defeated the Muslim invaders.
On the afternoon of July 4, the shrine’s Holy Cave and majestic basilica buzzed with joy. Pilgrims arrived with backpacks, banners, and rosaries, their songs and embraces filling the mountain air. Over three days, they immersed themselves in Masses, Eucharistic adoration, catechesis, workshops, and a festival that blended deep spirituality with youthful exuberance. Under the theme “I will give you a new heart,” the event radiated hope, showcasing a generation determined to live its faith boldly.
A Movement Rooted in Faith
Organized by the En Marcha JEMJ association with support from the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother and over 200 volunteers, JEMJ is emerging as a cornerstone of Catholic youth activities in Spain. Sister Beatriz Liaño, a member of the Servant Sisters and JEMJ’s media liaison, told ACI Prensa, that the event’s heart lies in fostering a personal encounter with Christ. “It’s a gift from the Virgin Mary to her son, Jesus,” she said, noting the overwhelming demand for Eucharistic adoration that led priests to expose the Blessed Sacrament on the shrine’s esplanade to accommodate all participants.
The event opened with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Juan Carlos Elizalde of Vitoria, joined by over 30 priests. In his homily, Elizalde urged the youth to pursue happiness through their unique vocations. “You are on pilgrimage because you refuse to resign yourself to vegetating,” he said. “The Lord calls us all by name. It’s a question of a new heart.” On July 6, Archbishop Jesús Sanz Montes of Oviedo closed the event, invoking the Reconquista’s spirit to encourage a “reconquest of what is worthwhile” — a life glorifying God and proclaiming the Gospel. He also cautioned against the “deception” of pornography, which he said “kills the soul and perverts the gaze.”
A Saintly Presence
A relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the soon-to-be-canonized “millennial saint,” was a focal point of devotion. A video message from Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, revealed his path to holiness: daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Scripture reading, and praying the rosary, which he called “exorcisms we perform for ourselves.” Friar Marco Gaballo, rector of the Shrine of the Dispossession in Assisi and custodian of Acutis’ relic, described the warm reception in Covadonga as “beautiful,” noting the inspiration drawn from Acutis and soon-to-be-saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, both set for canonization on September 7 in Rome.
The 11 “Martyrs of Damascus,” Franciscan friars and lay brothers killed in 1860, were named JEMJ 2025’s protector saints, their Eucharistic devotion echoing the event’s core.
A Stage for Inspiration
The evening of July 4 featured the premiere of A Famous Nun, a musical about Sister Clare Crockett, a Servant Sister who died in a 2016 Ecuador earthquake at 34. Produced by Catholic Stuff, a youth evangelization YouTube project, the play traced Crockett’s journey from aspiring actress to missionary nun. Ana, the lead actress, told ACI Prensa the performance succeeded “thanks to the Lord’s help,” emphasizing Crockett’s lesson of seeking God’s will. For Nuria Leal, a young presenter from Valencia, Crockett’s example of giving “110%” for souls remains a guiding light.
Voices of the Youth
Nuria, who co-hosted with her brother Nacho, described JEMJ as a transformative experience. “Everything is designed so the Lord constantly touches your heart,” she said, calling it a “rekindling” of faith and a call to share the Eucharist’s message. Mateo Gratacós, an 18-year-old volunteer, highlighted the event’s vibrant community. “Thousands of young people believe in God and the Virgin Mary,” he said, countering stereotypes about youth disengagement. Reflecting on the Holy Cave, he added, “The Virgin is our mother; you feel her presence here.”
A New Reconquest
As JEMJ grows, it signals a resurgence of faith among young Catholics. In Covadonga, where a Christian people was born, these pilgrims are forging a new path — one that seeks not territorial victories but the hearts of a generation, anchored in the Eucharist and the maternal care of the Virgin Mary.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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