Two days ago, I returned from a pilgrimage with a group of youth, who participated in the World Youth Day. We spent 15 days going from Ars, France, all the way down to Lisbon, Portugal, where the event took place. It was amazing to experience, together with these young men and women, the excitement of spending some days with the Pope.
The pilgrimage was filled with difficult experiences of all kind: our travel agency did not make many of the reservations we had expected it would; it was very hot; the laws that regulate the work of the bus drivers are very strict, and they have all kinds of limitations; we had to walk a lot under a scorching sun; wherever we went it was crowded and many other things of this kind. In other words, many things went wrong, according to what we had planned.
However, all of it was worth it in the end because the joy we experienced was priceless and very authentic. I could recount so many beautiful experiences, but I will share with you the three places and events that struck me the most.
Fatima
On Saturday August 5th, the Pope went to Fatima. There was an immense crowd accompanying him as he paid a visit to the place where the Blessed Virgin appeared to the three young shepherds, more than a century ago. It was amazing to see the devotion of the people who were there, especially that of the youth. The Pope prayed the rosary, and I was moved to see young people kneeling, in deep contemplation, praying the Our Father and the Hail Mary, in so many different languages. There was certainly a very powerful presence there, and it was a moment of great communion.
Lisbon
That same day, in the evening, we accompanied the Pope in a vigil of prayer, in Lisbon. There were around 1.5 million people there. The words of the Pope were very encouraging, and he invited us all not to be afraid, and to believe that we were loved as we were. The announcement of the love of God for us resounded with great strength in that place, and despite the tiredness and the scorching heat, we all received those words with great consolation. What struck me the most that evening was that, at a certain moment, there was an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and a time of adoration. As I said, there were over a million and a half people, most of them youth. During the time of adoration there was an absolute and complete silence. It was edifying to see the youth surrender to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and to connect with him in deep prayer and contemplation. I was moved to see kids kneeling on a rocky, muddy ground to pray to Jesus. I will never forget that experience.
Message of Hope and Love
Finally, on Sunday August 6th, we celebrated the Mass with the Holy Father. The Pope again took advantage of this precious moment to encourage us all in our struggles, and to deliver a message of hope and love. The kids were very attentive, and actively participated in the Eucharist. It was awesome to see how that open space became like a gigantic church, where we all joined in worship and exultation, as we all received the Word of God, and his Body.
As I said at the beginning, I am already back from this experience, entering again into the normal routine of my life. However, I must say that having spent some days with the Holy Father has strengthened my faith, and has given me a lot of hope, as I witnessed the youth living their faith and taking their lives seriously. I hope the Lord gives me life and health to get ready to join him again for the next WYD, which will be in South Korea, in 2027. I am sure that, with his help, I shall be there, witnessing the marvels of this great event.
