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World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide encounter with the Pope celebrated every three years in a different country. WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter centered on Jesus Christ together with their peers, offering an opportunity to personally experience the universality of the Catholic Church, and to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who are committing their lives to Christ and His Church. The most recent WYD took place in Lisbon, Portugal from 1-6 August, 2O23 and was attended by more than 40 young people from our Diocese. Our diocesan Youth Adviser Lizzie Wakeling led our diocesan WYD group, speaking about the experience she said:
"I cannot begin to say how honoured and privileged I am to have been on a pilgrimage with such an astounding group of young people. Every single one of them brought something unique to the trip, and made it more perfect because of their presence. I want to acknowledge the great work done by the leadership team who supported me so well, their love and care for the young people was outstanding.
"Our clergy had a great time, and it was wonderful to see them engaging with the young adults on so many levels, but it was our seminarians who impressed me the most. They had no idea what to expect and adapted so well to such an overwhelming environment, going on to accompany their fellow pilgrims admirably, answering questions, inspiring conversations and getting involved with all aspects of the journey. My final thanks go to Bishop Richard who joined us direct from Lourdes, we are so blessed to have him as our Shepherd and our guide, he pours himself out for us in ways that we will never know, and I for one am truly grateful."
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Pauline Watts - pictured below second from right - from The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sunningdale shares her experience of World Youth Day below.
"Nothing could have fully prepared me for the experience that was WYD. And why would I ever consider myself a candidate for this trip? At this point in my life, I firmly believed that this ship had long since sailed. But travelling with our diocese (Arundel and Brighton) as a Group Leader gave me that unexpected and amazing opportunity. It was like a gift being presented before me - and I grabbed it with both hands!
"The Opening Mass was incredible; I’ve never seen so many people altogether in one place. And I have to admit that it was a bit overwhelming at first: but then I quickly realised I was part of an outpouring of joy and celebration amongst the 2 million pilgrims who descended upon Lisbon. Everybody heading in the same direction, whether it be to listen to Bishop Barron speak at one of the daily Rise Up encounters or to one of the many activities aimed at celebrating our Faith with music, dance or in quiet contemplation.
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"The Holy Father’s arrival was greeted with wild excitement, genuine happiness and joy. To be in his presence was awesome. There was something in the air. A young person said to me it was like Glastonbury x20 and frankly I’ve never seen such excitement. Bigger than any rock star, Pope Francis greeted the crowds warmly and with humility. Some of our group managed to get close to where he was passing and they could hardly believe it. They felt that he was looking directly at them – such is the power and charisma of the man; he could make an audience of such size feel like they were being addressed individually.
"The Pope’s theme was ‘Mary arose and went with haste' (Lk,1:39). The Madonna, Pope Francis explained in his message for young pilgrims, is the 'model of the youth in movement, not still in front of the mirror to contemplate their own image or trapped in the nets.' She is all outward looking. All of [the Pope's] talks and homilies spoke directly to the hearts of these young people – and equally to the not so young. How is it possible to feel like an individual with 2 million other people around you? His message to the young people was clear: they were to shine, to listen and to not be afraid, and he repeated this several times giving examples. A simple message but very profound within the parameters of today’s society.
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We are all still digesting and processing what the week meant to us each individually. What the young pilgrims expressed to me was that the week had enabled them to:
"Some of the young people had been sponsored and partly funded by various parishes and that was really positive for those who otherwise would not have been able to fund the pilgrimage. And for me personally it was a privilege to be around these young people and to accompany them. I have been a teacher all my life and I love being with young people, they inspire and energise me. On this occasion, their faith inspired me enormously.
"Over the week, I felt a gradual and slow deep awareness that the Lord was present there and then in my life. Not like the lightening bolt when I decided to become a Catholic, but still very affirmative: a slow burn. But it was a trip not without its challenges – lots of walking around the very busy city trying to stay together on our travels, never less than 20,000 steps a day on cobbled paths, leading a large group on a day trip to Fatima, lots of very late nights, incredible heat at 37 degrees. But I loved every minute of it! And as I sit at home writing this, I am missing it enormously.
"Possibly the Pope’s message that resonated most was this one. 'You are not here by chance. May these be days in which we engrave in our hearts that we are loved as we are. Not as we would like to be, but as we are now. This is the starting point of WYD, but above all the starting point of life,” the Pontiff said. “Friends, if God calls you by name, it means that none of us are a number to God.' God sees us all as individuals – what a reassuring message.
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"I know no-one who was not deeply moved by the days we spent in Lisbon. Refreshed in their faith. Resolved to carry on life’s journey according to God’s calling." The Pope’s final words to the young can inspire us all on our journey of faith:
“Dear young people, I would like to look into the eyes of each of you and say: Do not be afraid. I will tell you something else, also very beautiful: it is no longer I, but Jesus himself who is now looking at you. He knows each of your hearts, each of your lives; he knows your joys, your sorrows, your successes and failures. He knows your heart. Today, he says to you, here in Lisbon, at this World Youth Day: “Have no fear, take heart, do not be afraid!”.
Many thanks to Pauline for sharing this wonderful account with us. The next World Youth Day will take place in Seoul in 2027, you can find out more on the WYD website.
