While YouTube might not be the first place that faithful might look for inspiration, one 10-year-old from Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Sicklerville, is using the online video platform to do just that.
After being introduced to the Rosary through his parish and religious education classes, fifth-grader Johnny Pizzo decided to create instructional videos on YouTube to teach his peers how to pray the Rosary.
“I wanted other kids to learn how to do the Rosary and realize that it’s easy to learn and that it’s relaxing,” said Pizzo. “I think when kids hear the Rosary, they think that it’s going to be really long and hard, but it’s not. It only takes around 22 minutes. It’s just a lot of repetition and it doesn’t take that long to learn and memorize the prayers.”
Through their new family YouTube channel – “Johnny & Josh,” @ThePizzoFamily – Johnny has now created videos focusing on the Sorrowful and the Glorious Mysteries. He plans to create videos for the Luminous and Joyful Mysteries, as well.
The inspiration for the videos came in large part from his own enjoyment of learning and praying the Rosary.
“My faith makes me feel good, and the Rosary makes me feel happy,” he shared. “The Rosary is relaxing for me to do at night before bed. My favorite prayer of the Rosary is Hail Holy Queen. I know I can always lean on my faith during a stressful time.”
Felicita Navarro Morris, the parish director of religious education, said Pizzo and his family have been participating in their family Rosary gatherings, and she was thrilled to learn about the videos he created.
“This is what a saint in the making looks like,” she recalls thinking. “After hearing about Johnny’s video and his hope to share the Rosary with other kids, I couldn’t contain myself.”
Morris has shared the video with other families, and noted that one peer quickly asked when the next installment would be posted online.
“Young people experiencing faith together and evangelizing each other is how we help them to be receptive to the gifts of the Spirit and open to what God has in store for them,” she said.
Johnny’s mother, Kimberly Pizzo, said she has seen her son find comfort and peace in prayer, and that he asked her about creating a YouTube channel to share that comfort with other children.
“I was hesitant at first because of the social media aspects, but God teaches us that we must let our light shine for others,” she said. “I felt that this is Johnny’s way to shine his light, profess his faith and most importantly, help others learn more about the Rosary.”
Kimberly Pizzo grew up Episcopalian, and her husband was born and raised Catholic. She said that seeing her son’s devotion to his Catholic faith at such a young age was one of the things that influenced her own conversion to Catholicism in July.
“Johnny unknowingly inspired me, and I will be forever grateful to him for that,” she said. “We have truly found a home at Saint Charles, and their family CCD events are engaging, interactive and inspiring.”
She added the importance of fostering a strong faith among young people.
“With all the negativity and uncertainty in the world today, I truly believe being rooted in your faith helps keep you grounded,” she said. “When you instill that in children at a young age, this gives them the confidence and armor needed to face the challenges of life. They know that they can always rely on God when all else fails. A good faith foundation starts in the home and is the most important and precious gift you can give a child.”
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Check out Johnny’s videos on how to pray the Rosary: youtube.com/@ThePizzoFamily.
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