For 25 years within the Archdiocese of Montreal and 30 years engaged in mission among young people, Isabel Correa, Senior Director, Evangelization and Christian Life and Youth Ministry, Faith Education, Adult Catechumenate looks back on a journey marked by encounters, fidelity and trust in God. From her first experiences in catechism to World Youth Days, she testifies to the richness of supporting young people and the importance of giving them an active place in the life of the Church. A mission that she sees as a path shared between generations, cultures and vocations, where everyone has something to transmit and receive.

1.This year, you are celebrating 25 years with the Archdiocese of Montreal and 30 years of commitment to the mission among young people. When you look back on this journey, what comes to mind first?

First and foremost, an immense THANK YOU to the Lord! It all began with an invitation to provide catechesis. Who would have thought that an initial "yes" would lead me this far?

I think, above all, of the young people, the families, and those who placed their trust in me—sometimes even before I had confidence in myself—most notably Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, who believed in my abilities and encouraged me to serve the Church by working with young people.

And, most importantly, I have never walked this path alone! My thanks go to our *Mission Jeunesse* (Youth Ministry) coordination team and to Holly Kirsten Eugenio, the associate director, with whom I have had the joy of working for over 16 years. So many projects, challenges, unexpected turns, and moments of grace! I am also grateful to our extraordinary team of volunteers. Some have been with us for nearly 15 years; having once received, they are now giving back to new generations.

This joyful, hope-filled faithfulness is the fruit of a wonderful team. I am merely one instrument among many—it is the Lord who is at work!

2.Over the years, you have accompanied several generations of young people. What has left the deepest impression on you through your encounters with them and in the way they live out their faith?

Young people never cease to surprise me with their generosity, their creativity, and their thirst for authenticity. We often talk about what we should pass on to them, but how much they, in turn, teach us! Saint John Bosco is a profound source of inspiration for me. He reminds us that it is not enough to love young people; they must also *feel* that they are loved. Together with Saint Dominic Savio, he shows us that holiness is something attainable in everyday life.

I try to follow this simple recipe for holiness:

1.
Live in joy! Not a superficial joy where everything is always going perfectly, but a deep joy, nourished by the Resurrection of Christ.

2.
Make Jesus and Mary my best friends. Cultivate this personal relationship, entrust them with my joys, my concerns, and my decisions, and learn to place my trust in them.

3.
Do the ordinary things in life in an extraordinary way—with love, generosity, and faithfulness, even when no one is watching!
 

Young people are the protagonists of the mission, yet we move forward together—young and old alike—with our feet on the ground, while our hearts and eyes are turned toward heaven!

I like to say that young people are my ticket to heaven: they help me to become a better person and to grow in faith.

3.You have also played a significant role in organizing World Youth Day (WYD) at the national level. What experience or moment from your time with WYD left a particularly deep impression on you?

There are so many! But for me, it all began at WYD in Denver in 1993. I had my reservations. Then, at the gathering in Cherry Creek—surrounded by young people from all over the world—I realized something profound: I was not alone in living out my faith. I belonged to a universal, living, and youthful Church.

Since then, I have experienced several WYD events as a pilgrim, a coordinator, and a leader—most notably as part of the Canadian coordination team for Panama and Lisbon.

Beyond the grand celebrations, what stays with me most are the individual encounters: a young person daring to pray, discovering forgiveness, or coming to understand their own place within the Church. WYD makes the communion of saints tangible.

For me, these events also serve as a school for solidarity, leadership, and the formation of disciples. This is why it is so important to accompany young people before, during, and after the event. We aren’t just preparing them for a single occasion; we are forming disciples who are called to become missionaries. Often, the mission truly begins only once they return home!

4.The Service for Evangelization and Christian Life now brings together Youth Mission, Faith Education, and the Catechumenate for adults. How do you see the connection between these different dimensions of evangelization?

To me, it is all one single mission: to accompany people in their encounter with Christ, throughout their entire lives. Faith is not a series of programs; it is a living relationship. The child discovering faith within their family; parents and grandparents who—through their love, their witness, and their everyday actions—play an irreplaceable role in passing on the faith; the adolescent beginning to grapple with profound questions; the young adult seeking their vocation; or the adult requesting baptism—each person is at a distinct stage along this journey. And each has something to offer and something to receive. This is the true beauty of a faith that is lived, shared, and nurtured from one generation to the next.

Whenever possible, I strive to ensure that our teams and working groups are multilingual, multicultural, intergenerational, and diverse in terms of vocations—bringing together individuals who possess a variety of charisms.

Dialogue between generations and the training of those who provide guidance are essential.

Building the communion of the saints means creating bridges between people, communities, and the various stages of life.

One Church, a single mission, and many paths to encounter Christ!

5.After 25 years with the Archdiocese, what has changed the most in how we accompany young people and offer them a path of faith? And what, by contrast, remains essential?

So much has changed! When I started, there was no Instagram or TikTok… and yet, we still managed to connect! Today, paths of faith are more diverse, and we cannot assume that all young people share the same points of reference.

But one thing has not changed: young people need to be loved, listened to, welcomed, and taken seriously. They need authentic relationships, credible witnesses, and communities where they can belong, contribute, and grow.

I have learned that while it is often faster to do things yourself, it is far more meaningful to do them *with* young people! This requires patience and the willingness to entrust them with real responsibilities.

The formation of disciples and leaders—especially those who accompany young people, such as youth ministers, catechists, volunteers, and coordinators—has always been at the heart of my ministry. Generosity is a precious gift, but accompaniment also requires discernment, skills, and a deep spiritual life.

In my view, a good leader does not seek to become indispensable. The true test? Seeing how those we have trained go on to form a third generation of leaders. That is a mission that grows well beyond us!

6.As you continue your mission, what hope do you hold for the Church in Montreal and for the young people today who are seeking to find meaning in their lives and deepen their faith?

I dream of a living, welcoming, and missionary Church—a place where young people are recognized as protagonists, and where generations, cultures, and vocations collaborate and grow together in

holiness. My hope is to help form young people who will take their place within the Church and, together with others, transform the world.

As we journey toward WYD Seoul 2027, I hear Christ’s invitation: “Take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33). And looking ahead to 2033—when we will mark the 2,000th anniversary of our Redemption—I am convinced that the younger generations will play an essential role.

The Lord is already at work. The most wonderful surprises may still lie ahead! For as long as He grants me the grace to do so, I will continue to walk, pray, laugh, learn, and grow alongside young people.

Ultimately, what we are celebrating is not just my 25 years, but 25 years of encounters, passing on the faith, and the Lord’s own faithfulness—all experienced together.

To Him be all the glory!