Come and Gone! This took place August 1-6, 2023. There is something special about it locally. We were part of it, and we thank Ms. Amy Rodriguez for it. Amy is a parishioner. She is part of our Young Adult Ministry (YAM). She led a group of about 30 young adults to the World Youth Day in Portugal.
~ Fr. Mike
My name is Amy Rodriguez, and I recently had the blessing of leading a group of 30 young adults to World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal. I am happy to share with you a few of my experiences.
If you’re unfamiliar with World Youth Day, it’s a week-long event for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, grow in their faith, and meet other Catholic youth from around the world! It was instituted by St. Pope John Paul II in 1986 and has been faithfully carried on by his successors. Since its founding, World Youth Day has been such a gift not only to the youth, but to the whole Church. Jesus Christ has transformed the lives and hearts of young people through World Youth Day, including mine. Ever since my last WYD experience in 2019, I knew I wanted to bring as many young adults as possible to experience this great pilgrimage.
Our time in Lisbon and Fatima was wonderful! The atmosphere was vibrant and exciting, full of joy with young pilgrims from around the world singing songs of praise to God in the streets, in the parks, on the subways, pretty much anywhere and everywhere. Many in our group were able to greet and make friends with pilgrims from Iraq, South Korea, France, and Mexico to name a few. Of course, being united with Pope Francis, was also a great joy.
I highly recommend Catholic young adults to experience WYD at least once if they are able! The next WYD will take place in South Korea. I look forward to the grace God will bestow upon Asia, the youth of the world, and the Church in 2027.