WYD Volunteer from Panama gives testimony to Pope

(Vatican Radio) A volunteer from Panama at the World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow gave a testimony to Pope Francis about the rewards and challenges of being a volunteer at these gatherings.  Christian Gregorio Ruiz Luque spoke of how being a WYD volunteer was a way to transmit a little bit of God’s mercy to those who ask for help and this helps to change not only one’s own life but also the lives of those being helped.  In short, he said, serving as a volunteer is a way to grow in holiness by exercising mercy.

Please find below a translation into English of the volunteer’s testimony to Pope Francis:

Dear Pope Francis

I wanted to make a really big mess for the Lord, which you asked of us in Rio de Janeiro, and now look at the trouble I’ve gotten myself into: I have to give a testimony in front of the Pope.

My name is Cristian Gregorio Ruiz Luque. I am from Panama. I was born in Chitré, a province of Herrera. I am the son of Crispulo Ruiz Cajar (q.e.G.e) and Josefina Virginia Luque Fuentes. I am happily married to Ana Cecilia Rodriguez Cepeda. I’m a candidate for the permanent diaconate in my country, for which I am preparing.

God has truly blessed me by giving me the opportunity to participate in every World Youth Day since the one celebrated in Toronto in 2002. Within that blessing is the fact that I’ve served as a volunteer during these occasions, including during this one in Krakow.

Because of my past World Youth Days, especially the one in Rio the Janeiro, I came here ready and prepared to be a more dynamic and demanding volunteer, by being in the sectors, offering my support in the packing of kits, or helping pilgrims with transportation issues –  and doing all of this with my wife by my side, with whom I shared a World Youth Day as a volunteer for the first time. But God, in his infinite wisdom, gave me an easier and less complicated task: first, helping in the selection and packing of the pilgrim kit envelopes, and then welcoming everyone by giving documents to pilgrims and volunteers who assisted in catechesis and other events in Tauron Arena, and in the same place, helping the Sisters of Life in their task of guiding all of the assistants during communion to the priests.

Being a World Youth Day volunteer is a way to transmit at least a little bit of God’s mercy to those who ask for help, either by being a pilgrim, a local resident, a volunteer, etc.

And even though this work can sometimes be difficult by testing one’s patience and faith through volunteering, in the end, remembering that you are serving Jesus makes such an impact that, almost inconspicuously, being a volunteer changes not only one’s life, but also the lives of those being helped, as well as the work environment. In short, serving as a volunteer is a way to grow in holiness by exercising mercy.

But what you give, you also receive: gratitude from pilgrims, sharpening abilities and acquiring others, and growing in virtues.

Holy Father, I will take with me from this World Youth Day each and every experience that I shared with my volunteer brothers and sisters, with my wife, with my compatriots – both  volunteers and pilgrims –  who were here and those who followed us on social media. And my wish is that when I return to my country, God will allow me to keep serving through my lay job and in my pastoral work, so that I can become a true disciple and missionary, living the joy of the gospel, praising the Lord by taking care of nature and loving, first and foremost, my family.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to be here. And you, Pope Francis, for motivating us all to wear our t-shirt with joy, and personally, for pushing me to say, like Joshua: "as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."