A bracelet initiative is showing that prayer works, as more than 3,000 young people in California are participating in World Youth Day in Krakow.

In an official send-off, My Saint My Hero joined Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez and Bishop Robert Barron in distributing bracelets to the young devotees who were Krakow-bound.

Based in San Pedro, Calif., My Saint My Hero was founded by Amy D’Ambra and Christine Rich as a prayer community that offers women meaningful work. For instance, they employ artisans in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who hand weave the “Blessing Bracelets.”

The jewelry collection has quite an international presence. It was part of World Meeting of Families last fall.

Co-founder Rich expressed her hope that this “helps young pilgrims from L.A. and the U.S.A. connect to the world.”

How? The bracelets have been given in sets of two: one for the pilgrim to wear and the other to be given to another pilgrim, so as to connect them in prayer.

Throughout the WYD festivities and beyond, the stories of these young pilgrims will be shared.

As D’Ambra said, “We’ve asked them … to tell us their stories, the proof that prayer works.”

The company is co-sponsoring the official “PRAY Team,” related to Angelus News and Los Angeles-area syndicated shows of Immaculate Heart Radio, as well.

Adrian Marquez Alarcon, 30, is the director of media relations of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and is in Krakow with a group of 90 pilgrims from the archdiocese. 

“Faith and prayer is what connects World Youth Day pilgrims to each other, regardless of language or background,” he told the Register.

“During their journeys, they will create bonds with fellow pilgrims, and this serves as a reminder to remain connected in prayer during WYD and beyond. Archbishop Gomez blessed the bracelets for the Los Angeles delegation of pilgrims last Sunday, during a special farewell Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.”

These young pilgrims are not just sharing in the youth-filled Catholic event in St. John Paul II’s homeland — in the midst of the Jubilee Year of Mercy — and seeing Pope Francis this week.

World Youth Day will also mean remembering the fruits that prayer has the power to bring into their lives.

“I came on this pilgrimage with my sister and gave her my bracelet,” said Adam Marquez, 26, from Whittier, Calif., and St. Francis Xavier parish. “She isn’t a new friend, but we’ve created a deeper bond on pilgrimage, and we will remember our WYD experience for the rest of our lives.”

Fifteen-year-old Roxanna Flores of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Pacoima, Calif., told the Register, “I gave my bracelet to Bared from a small town in South Carolina. Although I may not see him again, I know that we’re connected in prayer through our wonderful WYD experience.”