This is the second part of my post about World Youth Day 2023. Here, I will be writing about my experience during the World Youth Day Proper which happened from August 1, 2023 to August 6, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal.
We arrived in Canecas, Portugal on July 31 afternoon. Some of our co-pilgrim were fostered in a school. I was fostered with three girl co-pilgrims to a Portuguese Family who lives near the parish that hosted us. There were also ten boys who stayed in a foster home. What I love most about this day was our four-hour travel from Tavira to Lisbon, then another Uber-ride from Siete Rios to Canecas.
August 1 – Opening Mass 19:00
The next day, August 1, was the start of the WYD proper. There was a Welcoming Mass in the afternoon. In the morning, we visited some tourist spots in Belem. We also participated in the Vocation Festival.
During the Opening Mass at Colino de Encontro (Parque Eduardo VII), the presider reminded us “When the heart is filled, it overflows. Let us learn from Mary to greet every person with sincerity.”
Before reaching the spot were we stayed during the Opening Mass, we literally passed by several lots first. We stepped on some stuff and some pilgrims as well. (Sorry, friends.) We walked a lot when the program ended. This was just the beginning of the other endless walks that we have to face.
August 2 – Rise Up Encounters
This is Canecas in Lisbon, Portugal. It is two-hour travel going to the main venues. But, we didn’t mind travelling far because we are so blessed to experience the meaningful pilgrimage from this beautiful town.
For our Rise Up Encounters, we decided to follow where Cardinal Tagle would be. For this day, he was in Cascais. Cascais offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and leisure activities.
From Canecas, we rode train and buses to reach Cascais. It took us two hours to go to the church where Cardinal Tagle would be giving a talk and pesiding the Mass. I love how warm and affirming his words are.
Here’s what I love most about his homily:
When you have good news, you cannot keep it to yourself. When you encounter God, your face changes. Open your heart. Show your face to the Lord.
If we meet the Lord, our priorities change. How we make decisions, change. When you find your priority, you should be willing to let go of others.
The encounter with the Lord can be disturbing. He wants us to choose. Is he the priority? If so, would we be willing to let go of others? Go home with joy because you have found the Lord.
After that, we went back to Belem and visited the Vocation Festival Sites again. We also tried the pastel that is really hyped in Belem.
August 3, 2023 – 17:45 Welcome Ceremony
Before we headed to the Welcoming Ceremony, we attended the Catechesis near San Antonio de Lisboa first. It took us more than an hour again to reach this wonderful cathedral. This was one of the highlights of my journey. Merely seeing this church made me feel that my WYD is already complete! The details and interiors of this church is just so superb.
St. Anthony was born in 1195 in Lisbon. He became very famous both in Portugal and Italy during his life and he was canonized in 1232, only one year after his death, in Padua. Source here.
I know I needed a photo here because this side was so scenic and nostalgic for some reasons. The cobble stones, the streets, and the railway here just illuminates how rich their culture is.
After attending the English Mass here, we headed back to the main venue for the Welcoming Program. And you know whaaaat, we saw Pope Francis there. He passed right before us! We couldn’t contain the join of seeing him. We just cried after he passed. What a wonderful experience. That completed really my experience.
August 4 – Way of the Cross 18:00
Before we joined the main even for August 4, we went to Cristo Rei. It is a Catholic monument and shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon situated in Almada, Portugal.
Going to Cristo Rei required us to hike and walk for miles. But the view there was worth the hiking. Hehe.
After our quick trip here, we planned to head to the main venue. However, the buses were all full. We waited for quite some time before riding the bus. Hehe. There was an unfortunate thing that happened to us back then, but this unfortunate event led us to meeting this family in their restaurant A Senhorita where we ate our lunch.
And here’s our picture during the Way of the Cross.
August 5-6 – Vigil and Missioning Mass with Pope Francis at Campo de Graca
After two weeks of participating in various activities, we finally reached the highlight of World Youth Day. That is the Vigil and the Missioning Mass with Pope Francis. We need to be at the venue early. So we left our home in Canecas early in the morning, and headed to the field where the vigil and mass will be held.
Going there was a challenge. Walking with thousands of people will surely test your patience. But thank God for the strength and health. Everyone in our group succeeded in walking to the venue.
Our delegation lined up into two. All of us did our best to catch up since walking with tall Europeans and Latinas was really something fun. I mean, we were smaller and shorter than them. So it was like if we don’t walk fast, we’ll be drowned.
We settled down in a good location. It was near the tree. Somehow, we had a shade.
Here are some of the photos of my co-pilgrims and during the vigil.
Here is my favorite part of Pope Francis’ Homily. There’s more here.
“Yet, I would like to tell you that we do not radiate light by putting ourselves in the spotlight, for that type of light is blinding. No, we cannot illumine others by projecting a perfect, well-ordered. No, we radiate light – we shine – by welcoming Jesus into our hearts and learning to love as he does.”
Pope Francis, World Youth Day 2023
Here’s my photo after the Missioning Mass. You know. My heart is indeed full of love and inspiration from the Vigil and the Mass. I know that this experience will be something I will truly treasure for the rest of my life. I may grow old and have white hair, but someday, I will be proud to narrate this story to the future generation.
While writing this post, I am emotional, too. Behind my smile in this photo, I faced a lot of difficulties and moments of giving up already. But God is good. His name is truly mercy. He never allowed me to give up. He was with me every step of the way. I know that in the future, this experience will surely help me make kind decisions.