For Maritza Albarran, the fifth annual Charismatic Revival Festival was the perfect opportunity for Catholics to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives.

“A lot of people, they need to hear about God, and to recognize the Holy Spirit and learn how to receive it,” said Albarran, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton. Albarran was among the many who filled St. Joseph Church, Trenton, for the three-day event organized by the diocesan Hispanic Apostolate Aug. 27-29. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY

“People come because they want to have a personal experience with God,” said Alex Arias, associate director of the Hispanic Apostolate. “It’s going to help them, it’s going to teach them something about the Church.”

From meditative prayer to group song with the band Getsemani, and from powerful preaching to communal meals, the festival provided the 600-900 attendees who turned out each day with opportunities to grow closer both to God and one another.

By far, the most popular aspect of the program was the preaching of Salvador Gomez, a speaker from El Salvador who discussed, among other things, the need for a new Pentecost. Whether engaging members of the audience in activities or using humor and personal stories to connect to guests, Gomez captivated the room during each of his sessions.

“I like the way he talks about God,” said Albarran. “Every time he comes, I come to see him.”

Stuart Lopez, 22, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, helped to videotape segments for Gomez and the Hispanic Apostolate.

“They’re alive,” he said when talking about the reaction of the audience to Gomez’s words. “They’re almost all smiling, (and) all of them had the emotion.” 

Gomez has spoken throughout the diocese for the past five years and around the country for the past 25.

“I’m grateful for what God has done for me, and I want to share it with everyone else,” said Gomez.

“The word gives life but it needs a voice.”

Deacon Alfonso Ramos of St. Joseph Parish said that he also enjoyed listening to Gomez speak. “He preaches hope for people, (and) they like it,” he said. “People get something out of it.” Ramos said that especially given the difficult economic times, people need hope more than ever.

“He is really an instrument of the Lord,” added Arias.

Another aspect of this year’s festival was a taping held Aug. 29 for the Hispanic Apostolate’s television program, which has been renamed “XTO Pa’ Todos,” meaning “Christ for all.”

Segments filmed during the revival will be included in the first episode of the season, which will also feature a new co-host. Ericka Rodriguez, a singer and music teacher who produced a show in Costa Rica, will be joining the show this season.

Rodriguez took part in the festivities, sharing her gift of song with those in attendance. “We’ve got the whole package,” Arias said of her talents and experience in the television industry. “We are very excited that Ericka is here.”

For Marlene Lao-Collins, director of social concerns for the New Jersey Catholic Conference and coordinator of religious education in St. Joseph Parish, the weekend was the perfect chance to celebrate the unity of common faith.

“It builds community, it allows people to look around and say, ‘Wow, there are this many Catholics,’” she said. “We don’t have many opportunities to come together as a community. I would encourage people next year to look for these events and to join us.”

Arias said that the festival also provides a break from the normality that fills daily life. “They want to, for a moment, forget their routines,” he said of those who attended, many with their families.

“This is all about the Holy Spirit,” said Deacon Ramos. “Sometimes you need a push or a kick, and this is one of them.”