World Youth Day – Summary Texts
Throughout World Youth Day – there were many moments where pilgrims listened to many different topics.
A crowd of 1.5 million young people participated in the Vigil of WYD Lisbon. During the week the pilgrims travelling with AMRI attended the Opening Ceremony in Park Edwuardo, which hosted many events including the Welcome Ceremony for Pope Francis. AMRI was represented on the main stage with our pilgrim Charlene Duff who was selected to carry the Irish Flag .
We were based in the chapel of Nossa Senhor do Bom Sucesso which has been home to Dominican sisters since 1639. Its history dates back to the 1600’s when it was impossible for Irish women to pursue a religious vocation in Ireland. The chapel was a fitting space for young people from all over Ireland to host many other countries for Catechesis and RISE UP
Indeed Lisbon has hosted Irish Dominicans for centuries. In the seventeen century it was the base and a refuge for Dominican Friars seeking good formation in religious life and a nursery for missionaries and martyrs.
Throughout the WYD week our pilgrims explored the city and the WYD festival programmes. Some attended the City of Joy – a Vocational Expo. The wider AMRI family participated in immersion programmes associated with their Orders. Pilgrims attend Dominican, Capuchin, Spiritan, Vincentian, Redemportists, Oblate and many other events. All Irish pilgrims gathered for prayer together led by members of all our diocesan and religious groups. On Saturday and Sunday all pilgrims attended the Vigil with Pope Francis, where they heard him challenge them not to ‘be afraid – but to be fearless’ in talking about their faith.
Our pilgrims will return home transformed almost like the story of the Transfiguration which was the Gospel read on Sunday 6th August. Some will return to Ireland and some of our missionaries will return to their home countries. Our pilgrim alumni will keep in touch and continue to explore ways of connecting in their faith.
Below you can find further links to key texts and gallery images.
Our volunteer AMRI media team provided summaries and sound bytes relayed to pilgrims. For the full texts and vides go to World Youth Day Central for everything
To view Gallery – WYD Vigil and Final Mass Gallery , Rise Up Catechesis Days Gallery – WYD Gallery At a Glance
Later – we will publish Testimonies and Reflections from Pilgrims – here.
