WYD Lisbon 2023, Maria Fischer •
“Dear Pope Francis, why did you choose the theme “Mary arose and went with haste” for this WYD?”, a young woman asks Pope Francis in the “Pope Video” for August 2023. “Because as soon as Mary knew she was going to be the mother of God, she didn’t stay there taking a selfie or showing off. The first thing she did was to set out on a journey, in haste, to serve, to help. You too must learn from her to set out on a journey to help others.“, is the response of Pope Francis. Thousands of young people have set out in haste to be at the World Youth Day, which opened today, August 1, 2023. —
Lisbon patriarch and bishops at the opening mass Photo: Arlindo Homem / WYD Lisbon 2023.
“Mary arose and went with haste” is the motto of World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 (WYD2023), which resounds in our hearts as a call to action, to move from the contemplative to the apostolic, just as our Mother taught us”, commented Elisa Velázquez Yépez in her article about the participation of the Shrine of Costa Rica in the World Youth Day current.
We accompanied, from our homes and workplaces, the youth on their way to Lisbon, which led many Schoenstatters to visit Schoenstatt first, and then, from Lisbon and Aveiro, to Fatima. Some youth went on pilgrimage via Lourdes, others participated in the “Days in the Dioceses” in Portugal…and this afternoon of August 1st all of them went to the opening Mass of WYD, celebrated by the Patriarch of Lisbon, Card. Manuel Clemente, in the Parque Eduardo VII in Lisbon.
Cross and Virgin Mary image at the opening mass
Photo: ©️ Julia Silva / JMJ Lisboa 2023
It is World Youth Day again
“Welcome all! Welcome also in the ecumenical, interreligious, and goodwill breadth that these days have and bring together. I desire for you all to feel “at home,” in this common home where we will live World Youth Day. Welcome!” said Cardinal Manuel Clemente at the beginning of his homily. Just at that moment we received a photo, sent by Fr. Rafael Mota, from Brazil, with a message: “The Patriarch welcomes all the young people”. We are present, thanks to him, connected, networked, live.
“Shared the link of the live transmission with all my contacts,” commented Juan Barbosa, from Argentina. “It is impressive.”
WYD Opening Mass – Photo: Fr. Rafael Mota
Culture of real encounter
“Every encounter we have must begin with a real greeting, in which we exchange words of sincere welcome and full sharing,” the Cardinal ended his homily. “Lisbon welcomes you wholeheartedly, and also the other places where you have been or will be in this Portugal, which is also yours. You are welcomed by the families and institutions that have placed their spaces and services at your disposal. Thanking them all, I glimpse in each one the house of Elizabeth, who welcomed Mary and Jesus whom she brought to her!
Much of this is missing in the world in which we are, when we do not care for others, nor pay attention to those we know.
Let us learn from Mary to greet each and everyone. Let us practice it intensely during this World Youth Day. The new world begins with the newness of each encounter and the sincerity of the greeting we exchange. So that we may be people sharing with people, in mutual and constant visitation!”
General view of the Opening Mass – Photo: ©️ Sebastiao Roxo / JMJ Lisboa 2023
