Sandhurst Youth Ministry Coordinator, Ruth Lawlor, describes the Rise UP Sessions, the arrival of Pope Francis, Stations of the Cross, the WYD Vigil and all the colour and excitement of Lisbon during World Youth Day.

Wednesday 2 August — Rise Up! Encounters Begin

It’s time for the WYD Rise Up! Encounters to begin! These are normally called Catechesis sessions and are run all over the host city and surrounding areas in different languages. Animator teams from around the world host the different catechesis sessions which are all based on a specific theme for each day. Day one for Lisbon was centred around the theme of Integral Ecology.

We chose to head to a beautiful Church, the Coleginho de Santo-Antao-o-Velho, in the civil parish of St Mary Major, which includes Churches in the area around the Lisbon Cathedral. The Church appears to be part of an old college or something similar (a residence for many people?), but that is possibly now part of its history. We were all interested to learn that this Church was the location of St Francis Xavier’s last Mass in Lisbon before he left as a Missionary.

The Animating Team for our Rise Up! Encounter came from the Diocese of Broken Bay, and our own pilgrim Zoe was able to join their choir along with Gen Bryant and her band members. Bishop Danny Meagher, one of the Auxiliary Bishops from Sydney, was the Bishop presenting. It was a rather Australian affair up the front, but we were joined by pilgrims from Ireland, Singapore, and USA, as well as other English-speaking countries. Pilgrims enjoyed music; opportunities to share in small groups; and questions and sharing. We concluded our time together with Mass. Overall, it was an informative and enjoyable event, despite how hot it was inside the Church! And the Parishioners were so welcoming!

Pilgrims split up for the remainder of the day, with time to explore the WYD Festival or what Lisbon has to offer. One group went up the mountains to visit the amazing Sintra, the location of the old Portuguese Summer Palace. Our talented photographer pilgrim, Edward, took some incredible photos from Sintra which made other pilgrims wish they had more time to venture to such beautiful locations.

Another group headed over to Belem to check out the Vocations Fair. Ok, we went to get the original Portuguese Tarts at the Pasteis de Belem, but we also wanted to check out the Vocations Fair! The tarts were well worth the journey, although we were all bemused that the line to buy the tarts was incredibly short, yet the line to get into Burger King would have been a couple of hours long. We had hoped to visit the Jeronimos Monastry and the Belem Tower, but were surprised to see it all blocked off! The Pope was on his way! Disappointment at not seeing these incredible buildings was quickly dissipated as our youngest pilgrims stuck out the hour wait to catch a glimpse of Papa Francisco! The rest of this group decided to head back into the city to try to escape the heat.

Other pilgrims headed towards the beach in Cascais to check out the WYD Festival offerings out that way (and possibly enjoy a bit of surfing!) And I believe one group might have managed to hire a kayak and get out on the water in a different way. Whatever pilgrims chose to do during their afternoon, they were able to meet people from all around the world who had travelled to Lisbon for the same reason as them — to take part in WYD!

The evening had no official WYD events so, again, pilgrims dispersed and went out to explore the city. A river boat cruise proved popular for pilgrims from Sandhurst and many others from around the world. For others it proved the perfect opportunity to get an early night and catch up on sleep!

Thursday 3 August — Welcome to the Pope

This morning began with the 2nd of the Rise Up! Encounters. The focus of the day’s session: Social Friendship. We went back to the same Church as yesterday and were delighted to do so. An incredible inspiring Bishop from Kenya spoke, and I wish I caught his name — I will ask one of the pilgrims to share this in the future! The rest of the session followed a similar pattern to yesterday and was highly enjoyable and provoked some serious thought about how privileged we were to attend WYD, particularly as most young Catholics in Kenya, even if they managed to get the money to attend were not able to obtain a visa. It made us all think about the bigger meaning of Social Friendship in our universal context. This is definitely a topic that Pilgrims will reflect on more going forward.

The afternoon gave people more chances to explore and some decided to take the steep road up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge for some spectacular views over Lisbon, while others decided on a more low-key afternoon. Some delicious food was eaten, some souvenirs were purchased, some caught some of the music on the main WYD stage, and much fun was had by all!

The evening brought with it the Welcome Ceremony for Pope Francis! We decided to split up a bit for this event due to the crowds and the heat. A few headed straight into the crowd and were able to get remarkably close the front. The feeling right in the thick of it was awe inspiring and was probably a highlight for some. Our resident photographer, Edward, was able to spend some time in the Communications area and was able to get some fantastic photos of the event prior to the Pope’s arrival. Others hung back on the edge of the crowd, still feeling the energy from being a part of it, while not being overwhelmed. These pilgrims were able to wave at the Pope as he was driven through the crowds waving. An important moment for them!

Others headed slightly away from the event, towards one of the large screens set up so that pilgrims could watch from further back. They may not have caught the Pope in person, but they were able to closely follow the event and had a much more relaxed crowd to hang out with. The final group made the decision to look out from the Hotel windows — our hotel was in such a prime location that the Pope actually went past the front door! The hotel staff were quite impressed! This group were able to watch the event from both the window and on the TV with an English Translation. No matter which experiences the Pilgrims had of the event, we can all agree the Pope’s address to the crowd at this Ceremony was inspiring. We encourage everyone to read it! But the highlight from the speech, particularly hearing so many voices join in with the Pope’s cry, was:

Everyone, everyone, everyone!
“In the Church there is room for everyone... There is room for everyone! All together now, everyone, repeat with me in your own language: Everyone, everyone, everyone.
I can't hear you: again! Everyone, everyone, everyone.”

Hearing the crowd call out “Everyone” in their own language, with the Pope repeating “Totus, Totus, Totus” will stay with me for a long time.

Please go and read the Pope’s speech: Apostolic Journey to Portugal: Welcome Ceremony (“Parque Eduardo VII”, 3 August 2023) | Francis (vatican.va)

Friday 4 August – Stations of the Cross

Our third Rise Up! Encounter led our group to a different, larger, outdoor location a short journey away via the wonderful public transport system (it held up remarkably well during the week considering the WYD pilgrims at least doubled the population of Lisbon!). The final theme focused on God’s Merciful Love and included an experience of Adoration. Pilgrims were beyond excited to hear Bishop Robert Barron speak, and it is probably one of our pilgrim’s (Mason) highlights to be able to altar serve for the Mass.

The afternoon provided further time to explore, with the added task for the pilgrims to find “cool” Portuguese snacks to share at a picnic later that evening. They did not disappoint with the fun food items they found. (Sea Urchin Pâté is an interesting food experience!)

Heading back into the crowd, snacks in hand, we found a place in the shade on the edge of the growing crowd, with a great view of one of the large screens, and the opportunity to walk right up to the fence as the Pope was driven by, not once, but twice! Every single Pilgrim has now been within a few metres of Pope Francis! The buzz was real amongst the Pilgrims as we became taste testers and judged our favourite food items before we settled in to take part in the Stations of the Cross.

It can be difficult at these events to fully immerse yourself in the prayer when you can’t understand the language, but each pilgrim found a way to engage in a meaningful way as we all meditated on the Way of the Cross brought to life with incredible movement and dance on the stage and screen.

Pope Francis provided another beautiful, simple, inspiring speech which is well worth checking out. Apostolic Journey to Portugal: Stations of the Cross with Young People (“Parque Eduardo VII”, 4 August 2023) | Francis (vatican.va)

The pilgrims again split into two groups after making our way back to the hotel- those that needed sleep, and those that wanted to go and experience the Ecumenical Worship event, The Change. Catholic musician Matt Maher, Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, and a large number of Christian musicians and speakers joined together to pray with the Catholic young people attending World Youth Day. The Stadium, filled with approx. 10,000 people from different Christian Churches, felt alive with the Spirit. A pilgrim’s highlight of the evening was the stadium all singing Oceans together. It was a very special event.

Saturday 5 August – Pilgrimage Walk and WYD Vigil

The WYD Vigil requires some planning and a few tactical choices had to be made to secure a space large enough for the whole group to camp out together. It also should be noted that some severe heat warnings had been issued meaning extra planning for pilgrim wellbeing needed to take place. Two pilgrims (who both happen to be pregnant!) opted to stay at the hotel rather than risk being stuck in the 40-degree heat with no shade – definitely not safe for them!

A group of six wonderful pilgrims left early in the morning to be the forward party. They walk through the beautiful empty streets of the tourist areas in Lisbon. They walked along the river, through industrial parts of the city, they walked past beautiful parks and the Lisbon aquarium. They stopped briefly at McDonalds for a quick breakfast (very little was open that early so please excuse the choice!) They collected food bags which weighed over 3kg per pilgrim and carried them further than they would have liked! They chatted and enjoyed the journey. It was a wonderful moment of pilgrimage and companionship. Finally, they arrived at our destination and managed to find a spot for the whole group to join them whenever they eventually arrived! Now, just to keep the spot safe in the heat of the day!

The remaining pilgrims set out later in the day after breakfast and a celebration of Mass to begin the journey. They most likely had a similar journey to the pilgrims that left earlier in the day but with more people around them and possibly more difficult walking in the heat. Eventually they too made it to the Vigil site and the group were reunited, ready for whatever the evening had to offer.

There were so many people! We were so close to the front of the site that we could see the stage. We heard that other groups had to walk for a further 2-3 hours to find their section and set up camp, so we were feeling very privileged. Surrounded by other pilgrims from around the world and Australia (there were many Australian groups in our section). We napped, chatted with each other, explored the site, and played a bit of “footy”, and card games with some Portuguese teenagers. There was music on the main stage, and chanting going on all around us. It was an experience that pilgrims will never forget!

Just a side note for those interested — Lisbon decided to put some really good infrastructure into the whole site. A lot of plumbing was infrastructure had been installed. Pilgrims could refill their own bottles at the water stations in each section and use incredible sewered toilets which stayed remarkably clean given the number of people using them. There was barely a line to get to a toilet and not a porta-loo in sight! Very different, and much more sustainable options, than has been the case at previous WYD Vigil Sites! It was impressive!

Finally, as the sun set, excitement began to grow. The WYD Cross and Icon arrived via boats on the river and were then processed to the main stage. The Pope arrived to great fanfare and welcome, and a now familiar chant filled the air: “Esta e a juventude do papa”, This is the Pope’s Youth. We truly feel like we are the Pope Francis generation.

Again, Pope Francis had inspiring words to share. It’s hard to capture what it’s like to hear him speak so naturally and so in touch with his audience, but here’s a favourite part:

“Mary’s joy is twofold: she had just received the angel’s message that she would welcome the Redeemer of the world, and she was also given the news that her cousin was pregnant. This is interesting: instead of thinking about herself, she thinks of the other. Why? Because joy is missionary, joy is not just for one person, it is for sharing something with others. Let me ask you: those of you here, who have come to meet others, to find Christ’s message, to find life’s beautiful meaning, will you keep all this for yourselves or will you share it with others? What do you think? Surely it is for sharing with others, because joy is missionary! Let us all repeat that, together: joy is missionary! And so we share this joy with others.”

Apostolic Journey to Portugal: Vigil with Young People (“Parque Tejo” , 5 August 2023) | Francis (vatican.va)

And then, the whole crowd, estimated to be close to 1.5 million people, joined together in Adoration. This is always an experience that impacts pilgrims in different ways, just as it does for all people. But to look around and see everyone in silent prayer all together definitely impacted every pilgrim in some way. It is hard to explain what it feels like in those moments. There is a connection with the Universal Church that is hard to replicate.

And finally, time to sleep  — or so we thought (and were told to do via the loudspeakers!) but instead, the Screens began to show The Letter. I know this is a great documentary, but I’m not sure how many in that crowd did watch it that evening! I am pretty sure I fell asleep about 5 minutes in. It had been a long, hot, exhausting day and all the pilgrims were tired! Maybe this is something pilgrims will watch with their parishes at some point (hint, hint! It’s a possible idea for a Parish social event!)

Sunday 6 August – World Youth Day Mass

As the sun rose, the Sandhurst Pilgrims made the difficult choice to pack up and leave before the sun came up. Several pilgrims had suffered with something close to heatstroke the previous day; a forecasted temperature of 42 degrees; no access to shade; and a very long journey back to the hotel, potentially stuck in the crowd if we exited at the same time as everyone else — all led to the decision to return to our accommodation.

Not to fear! We got back to the hotel with plenty of time for quick showers and breakfast before gathering as a group in the Hotel Bar to watch the Mass on TV with the English translation playing. Fr Jackson was able to celebrate Mass earlier in the morning, so we could also participate in Communion along with those at the Vigil Site. It may not be the experience we expected or planned on, but it allowed our pilgrim group to stay safe and form closer connections with each other— there is definitely now a strong young adults community in Sandhurst thanks to the opportunities experiencing the WYD Pilgrimage together!

Once again, Pope Francis’ homily is worth a read: Apostolic Journey to Portugal: Holy Mass for World Youth Day at “Parque Tejo” (Lisbon, 6 August 2023) | Francis (vatican.va)

The Feast of the Transfiguration provided the Pope with a beautiful message and something for us all bring back with us: “Now, we can also ask an important question: What will we take back with us as we resume our daily lives? I would like to answer this question with three verbs, drawing from the Gospel we have heard: to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid. What will we take back with us? I would respond with these three words: to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid.”

I hope that all our Sandhurst pilgrims are able to respond to Pope Francis’ words and find their own ways to shine, listen and be unafraid as they continue on their faith journeys after the pilgrimage experience is over.

The remainder of the day saw the pilgrims spend their final time in Lisbon. More exploring took place, beaches were visited, Portuguese food was consumed, and there was definite sadness to be leaving the WYD week behind. It can be challenging to leave behind these mountaintop experiences and return to normal lives changes by the experience but finding nothing changes back home. The Transfiguration is the perfect Gospel to provide the pilgrims some insight into this. But rather than jumping on a plane and heading back to our everyday lives, we still have time to reflect and retreat as we continue our pilgrimage to Avila, Spain.

The final part of the Sandhurst WYD Pilgrimage will cover the last few days of our pilgrimage, including visiting Salamanca, Avila and Segovia.