Abbey Youth Fest beckoning youth on March 10

    To the youth of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of New Orleans,
    Peace be with you and greetings from St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana!
    My name is Joe Bertucci; I am a seminarian from our archdiocese, and I would like to extend to you an invitation to Abbey Youth Fest, a youth rally coordinated by my seminary.
    On March 10, 2012, St. Joseph Abbey Seminary College will host its 12th annual Abbey Youth Fest, which is a full day of contemporary Catholic music, inspiring keynote speakers and the celebration of the Mass. As the sun sets, we unite with the Benedictines in vespers, the evening prayer of the church, and we end the night with candlelight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – all underneath the stars.
    Throughout the festival, you will have the opportunity for personal prayer in an outdoor chapel, confession with visiting priests, a tour of St. Joseph Abbey, and exposure to several religious orders and various ministries who set up information booths to share their charisms with the thousands of Catholic youth in attendance.
    The first time I experienced Abbey Youth Fest was during my first year at St. Joseph Seminary College. There were more than 2,000 teens, all there to participate in one of the largest Catholic youth events held in the South. The day included music from a variety of different and amazing bands, including the seminary band, Covenant Seven, of which I was a member at the time.
    The speakers were phenomenal and knew what they were talking about. There was lots of food, tours of the Abbey church, religious brothers and sisters playing hacky-sack (yeah, you know you want to come just to see that) and outright crazy Catholic young adults hanging out. It was awesome and inspiring.
    In the evening, Mass was celebrated, and the day ended with candlelight adoration – the stars, our candles and the Blessed Sacrament being the only thing illuminating the otherwise pitch black field.
    On behalf of the seminary college, I would like to invite you to be part of this year’s Abbey Youth Fest, and experience this incredibly fun and unique event for yourself. The theme for Abbey Youth Fest 2012 is “Restless,” which is taken from St. Augustine’s, Confessions: “My heart is restless until it rests in you, O Lord.”
    The event will feature Mark Hart, vice president of Life Teen, who is an inspired youth speaker. Catholic musicians L’Angelus and Ayleron will provide a rockin’ good time! The event will provide reflections upon and an experience of the beauty of God.
    For the second consecutive year, a “pre-event” – “Abbey Night Live” – will be March 9, 7 to 9:30 p.m. featuring live music, interactive entertainment, communal prayer, and musician Sarah Kroger and Joe Lombardi (quarterbacks coach for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints). Admission is $5 a person; Register or call for details at (985) 867-2233.
    While the first Benedictine monastery dates to around 530, St. Joseph Abbey was founded in 1889 on more than 1,200 acres. The monks used the land to raise cattle and grow their own food. Now, the wooded areas are used for peaceful walks on the trails, and some of the fields are used to host events like Abbey Youth Fest.
    In our 11-year history with Abbey Youth Fest, we have hosted more than 25,000 teens. Currently, St. Joseph Seminary College has 80 seminarians enrolled – representing 19 dioceses.
    I hope you will be able to join me, seminarians, the Benedictine monks, several priests and religious from all over the country, and thousands of Catholic youth in worshipping our Lord and searching for the vocation to which he calls us.
    For details and pictures from previous festivals, check out AbbeyYouthFest.com and find us on Facebook. You are in my prayers; may our hearts, like St. Augustine’s, find eternal rest in the heart of God.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    In the peace of Christ,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Joe Bertucci