John Mujica, 18, grieved the death of his younger sister for more than two and a half years before finding enough fortitude to acknowledge the significance of acceptance and the importance of trusting in the Lord.
His sister, Desiree, died at age six in April 2021 from illness stemming from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, sending Mujica into a downward emotional spiral. It wasn’t until December 2023, during a Charismatic Renewal retreat, that Mujica’s spirit was lifted to the point of starting a faith journey that grew stronger and stronger as the months and years went by.
He remains strong of spirit.
“After my sister passed away, my mother’s faith grew even more, she poured back into the Church, she started participating more in youth ministry and she got back into her dance ministry,” Mujica told The Good Newsroom at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Bronx, Monday, Aug. 17. His mother’s continued strong faith, stronger faith, was what largely led to his decision to attend the retreat.
Encountering the Spirit
The church is adjacent to the New York Archdiocese Centro Católico Carismático on East 166th Street in the Bronx. It was at the center where Mujica attended the December 2023 retreat, leading to a faith that grew much stronger than the level of faith he had before Desiree died.
“It was a Saturday night when I participated in that retreat at the Charismatic Center. I started experiencing Jesus, experiencing the Holy Spirit. It was beautiful. I broke down. I felt the presence throughout me,” Mujica said. “It made me realize this is why my parents have dedicated their entire lives to Jesus Christ. This is what I want to do. I want to grow in my faith with Him. I want to help spread His word and His joy. I want to help others grow in their spiritual journey…Now, the way that I forgive, and the way that I process emotions, I feel that everything is completely different.”
Since that Holy Spirit-filled December day, he has been a proactive volunteer at the center, engaging in various leadership tasks, especially during youth retreats. His family parish is Our Lady of Lourdes in Manhattan’s Washington Heights, but he and his family volunteer at the Charismatic Center. He grew up the oldest of three; his brother, Andrew, is 16. Their parents’ strong faith played a key role in overcoming the family’s grief. His parents are Jasmin and Carlos, who is a faith-based rap singer.
A Role Model for Others
Mujica will soon enter his sophomore year at Brooklyn College, majoring in psychology. He plans to pursue a master’s degree and become a mental health therapist. He gave a testimonial about the fall and rise of his faith during the December 2023 retreat, and during a Pentecost Vigil gathering at the center this year. “Being able to walk in Christ has definitely made that path easier,” he told The Good Newsroom.
Madre Jesusnicolle Caraballo, SCR (Siervas de Cristo Resucitado), who is assigned to St. Anthony of Padua and the Charismatic Center, said, “Johnny has had an incredible conversion and spiritual growth, he has developed a love for service, a self-giving love, a love for ministry. He is a role model here (for other teens).”
Madre Jesusnicolle said she attended the Pentecost Vigil gathering this year in which Mujica gave his testimonial, noting she and many others were moved to tears. About 350 people attended. Mujica spoke from the heart, with no written remarks. “He (Johnny) is going to be a powerful instrument for the Lord,” the nun said.