Thousands of American Pilgrims Celebrate World Youth Day in Lisbon
American Pilgrims Attend World Youth Day in Lisbon
Tens of thousands of young American pilgrims embarked on a journey to Lisbon, Portugal, for the six-day World Youth Day event held from August 1 to August 6.
Attendees described the experience as “a dream,” “a blessing,” and “incredible.”
World Youth Day is a global event that occurs approximately every three years, offering young people a profound encounter with Jesus Christ through various activities such as liturgical celebrations, faith sharing, catechetical sessions, networking, and prayer with the Holy Father.
Record American Participation
With over 28,600 young adults from 1,300 groups registered for the event, the United States witnessed a substantial increase in attendance compared to the 2019 World Youth Day in Panama.
These numbers come from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), indicating a significant upsurge in enthusiasm among American youth to engage with the global faith community.
Highlights of the Pilgrimage
Stacy Escobar, 26, expressed her experience at World Youth Day as “like a dream.”
Traveling with a group from the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, she recalled a particularly moving moment during an outdoor eucharistic adoration event tailored for American travelers.
The event showcased the eucharistic host glowing in the monstrance against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, with attendees from the United States gathered in diverse unity.
Father John Garabedian, only two months into his priesthood, led a group of young people from the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, to Lisbon.
He found encouragement in Pope Francis’ message that God calls individuals by name and can utilize them, even in their imperfections and inexperience.
Garabedian was heartened by witnessing the faith of other young adults who made the journey to Lisbon.
Up Close with Pope Francis
Savannah Dudzik, 22, from Florida, shared that her most memorable moment was being able to see Pope Francis up close.
She marveled at the excitement generated by a man in his 80s, attributing it to his role as a witness to the word of God.
Dudzik emphasized that World Youth Day reinforced the notion that the Catholic Church is a universal community.
Blessed Encounters and Spiritual Growth
Julie Lattouf, 30, participated in World Youth Day with almost 40 young adults from the Maronite Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn and the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles.
She viewed the event as a “blessing,” emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and relationship with God.
Lattouf found herself in the Church of St. Anthony, a destination she had longed to visit due to her devotion to the saint.
Texas’ Enthusiastic Participation
The state of Texas made a notable contribution, with the Diocese of Dallas alone accounting for about 1,000 pilgrims.
Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas played a key role by leading a eucharistic procession and Holy Hour for a group of 10,000 American pilgrims.
The director of youth, young adult, and campus ministries for the Diocese of Dallas, Josh Salinas, highlighted the desire for a sense of community among participants.
A Life-Changing Experience
Eduardo de la Cruz, 31, described his trip to World Youth Day as “the trip of a lifetime.”
The parishioner from Texas noted the impact of the event on his discernment journey toward the priesthood.
The experience strengthened his resolve, gave him confidence, and prompted him to explore joining the Dominican order.
Brad and Chanel Moran, a married couple from Dallas, attended their first World Youth Day and their first visit to Europe.
They sought spiritual enrichment, a stronger marriage, and a sense of community with fellow Catholics.
The couple found the homilies and Mass celebrations deeply moving and considered their visit to Fátima particularly impactful.
Witnessing the Joy of Unity
The Morans marveled at the unity among diverse cultures and backgrounds, emphasizing the shared worship of the same God through Jesus.
The vibrant atmosphere, joyful singing, and sense of unity portrayed the essence of the universal Church.
Despite the physical challenges of the pilgrimage, the experience resonated with the heavenly concept of praising Jesus through song, leaving the pilgrims with a glimpse of that divine reality.
