WILLIAMSTOWN – In front of pews packed with high schoolers here at Our Lady of Peace Parish on May 29, the husband and wife team of Jason and Crystalina Evert shared God’s plan for human sexuality and having “Romance Without Regret.”
Chastity speakers Jason and Crystalina have written books on chastity, are on the board of advisors for the National Abstinence Clearinghouse, and have been frequent guests on radio and television programs throughout the country, including Fox News, BBC, and EWTN.
During the hour-long presentation, which was preceded by Mass celebrated by pastor Father Cadmus Mazzarella and worship music performed by 19-year old Williamstown resident Chelsea Music, the Everts addressed issues such as sexual pressure, pornography and modesty.
To the males in the audience, Jason implored them to treat women with honor and dignity. “Love your wife, like Christ loved the Church,” he said.
Crystalina spoke on losing her virginity at the age of 15 to her then-boyfriend. Shortly thereafter, the relationship soured, and she was left hurt and wondering if God could forgive her. “If I couldn’t respect my own body, how could I expect someone else to?” she said.
Today, though, married to Jason, and with five children, Crystalina realizes that “God loves you exactly where you are, whatever you are struggling with.” It is important to remain a pure lifestyle, but if one does lose their virginity out of wedlock, they can start over, she said.
“He accepts you and loves you. Don’t underestimate what he wants to do with your life,” she said.
Following their talk was adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.
“Their message was an inspiring one, a message that not a lot of kids hear,” said Maria Nieto, 22, of Sicklerville and a member of the Our Lady of Peace youth group.
Chris Lewandowski, 24, also a youth group member, agreed with Nieto’s assessment. “The talk was an enlightening one; it’s viable today, in the culture of sex (we live in). It’s the most important thing that young men and women can take in,” he said.
The Evert’s talk in Williamstown was the midpoint of their trip throughout the Camden Diocese to give talks on chastity. The night before, the two spoke to parents at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Hammonton on how they can fulfill their role as the primary sex educators of their children.
The morning after their talk at Our Lady of Peace, the two were at Paul VI High School in Haddon Township, speaking to students. The talk at Paul VI was to be recorded for a future DVD release, which would then be available for youth groups and schools across the country.
Having spoken on the virtue of chastity for more than a decade, to more than 1 million people internationally, Jason has seen the desire youth have to live out God’s call for them.”They’re hungry” for the message, he said.
For more information on Jason and Crystalina, go to www.jasonevert.com, or womenmadenew.com. Jason also has an upcoming website, www.chastityproject.com, in the works.
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