WILMER JOEL
A young Marshallese had an opportunity of a lifetime when she met the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
Jimua Abon was one of the few chosen youth to accompany the Pope to the vigil in Lisbon, Portugal, for the 37th World Youth Day.
Every two to three years, the Pope hosts World Youth Day, which brings together young people from all over the world. This was the second time the Marshall Islands had participated in this national youth event, which lasted for six days.
She was one of 18 Catholic youth who earlier this month represented RMI. Monsignor Father Ariel and six adults were the chaperones for the RMI youth representatives. They joined more than two million youth from across the globe.
She said the youth on her team chose her to accompany the Pope. Jimua asserted that when she accompanied his holiness, she did not just represent the Marshall Islands but the entire Pacific.
Jimua, who is 21 years old and from the island of Jaluit, is the daughter of Habna and Cathleen Abon. Her jowi (clan) is Rilobaren. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in business with a specialization in management from the College of the Marshall Islands. In addition to her plans to enroll at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, she interns at the Ministry of Transportation, Communication, and Information Technology.
Jimua told the Journal that she never imagined herself standing next to the Pope. “My thoughts at that time were blank,” she said. “I sensed the Pope’s aura; I was shaking and sweating, and I almost fainted. Seeing him closer made my heart pound more.”
The Catholic Church, according to her, regards the Pope with universal awe because he “represents a direct line back to Jesus.”
Jimua said the experience strengthened her faith and changed her life. She hopes that her story will live on in the minds of young people so that it can strengthen their tomak (faith). The next World Youth Day is set to take place in 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.