Join the Emmanuel Community for a special pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023 from July 27^th– August 6^th in Lisbon, Portugal.

Anticipation is building for the first World Youth Day in four years which is to be held in Lisbon, Portugal from August 1^st-6^th 2023. Up to a million young pilgrims from all over the world will gather in Lisbon to celebrate their faith and what it means to be a Catholic in the company of Pope Francis.

Lisbon 2023 will be well attended by Irish youth with dioceses and groups from all over the country. It will be an amazing experience to experience the global vision of the church. Not only will there be faith development and events with the Pope, there will be opportunities to experience the vibrancy and culture of Lisbon, socialise and have fun in the sun.

 

World Youth Day began in 1985 when Pope John Paul II felt moved to establish a festival of faith for the youth of the world. He wanted young people to feel accompanied by the church and the pope and learn their concerns, hopes and aspirations. It is held every year at diocesan level and every two to three years as an international meeting. World Youth Day’s purpose is to celebrate the universal church in all its diversity, inspire faith, hope and charity among young people and the host country and foster peace and unity.

 

The theme of this year’s festival is “Mary arose and went with haste”(Lk 1:39) chosen to compliment the theme of the Annunciation at World Youth Day, Panama in 2019. The urgency felt by Mary rushing to her cousin Elizabeth reminds us of Pope Francis’ wish for young pilgrims to be “active and missionary, for this is how they will recognize and witness the presence of the living Christ.” Now more than ever, we need young people on fire with the faith who will help bring people to a living encounter with Jesus.

 

The Emmanuel Community are looking for young people aged 18-30 to join us on our pilgrimage to WYD. Experience three days of preparation at our International Youth Forum in the medieval city of Coimbra from July 27^th– 30^th it will be a time of fellowship and joy with youth from across the world with inspiring workshops, praise and worship and adoration. We will spend a day in Fatima before heading to Lisbon for the week. The cost for the 11 days including accommodation (gym/dorm/host family), food, insurance and WYD ticket is €380. The flight will need to be booked separately.

The closing date is May 21^st. Please contact Rebekah at 086-2108491 if you are interested in coming.