Young Texas man among 24 to be confirmed by pope at WYD closing Mass

Published: 2008-07-02

PERTH, Australia (CNS) -- A young man from the Diocese of Austin, Texas, will be among 24 people who will be confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI during the July 20 closing Mass for World Youth Day in Sydney. Juan Martinez, a member of St. Margaret Mary Church in Cedar Park, Texas, said he was asked to be part of the ceremony by Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Austin. The 18-year-old Mexican immigrant who arrived in the U.S. nine years ago will be among the 14 Australians and 10 young people from other countries who will be anointed with holy oil after Pope Benedict invokes the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The 24 also will receive Communion from the pope. One of the young Australians to be confirmed, Shannon Kyrwood, 25, said it is "mind-blowing" just to think that the pope will confirm her, and does not expect to fully grasp it until the sleep-out at Royal Randwick Racecourse the night before the Mass. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Kyrwood.

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