Day 1 - Saturday 29 July 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

All of our under 18 pilgrim flight groups have now arrived safe and well into the beautiful town of Tomar, Portugal. With a 9 hour time zone difference, this is being sent as Saturday draws to a close (and after bedtime for our under 18 pilgrims!)

There was both excitement and tears as you farewelled your children at Melbourne Airport. It has certainly been an exhausting journey with our pilgrims enduring long flights, stopovers and layovers in cities across the world before landing in Portugal. Our pilgrims have done well! A special thanks to our pilgrimage coordinators, chaplains, small group leaders and first aiders who have done a magnificent job in leading our pilgrims.

Our under 18 pilgrims have now checked into the beautiful Hotel dos Templários at the heart of Tomar. Pilgrims spent the Saturday evening eating a hearty dinner together before settling into their rooms and getting some rest and relaxation.

Tomorrow, our pilgrims will spend the morning continuing to rest before having a wonderful day in Fatima - a half-hour drive from Tomar - where they will visit the sacred Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

You can also keep in touch with our pilgrimage on Facebook and Instagram.

Our Parent/Family Hotline (+44 7360 666 378) is available if parents or guardians urgently need to contact the Pilgrimage Leadership Team from Thursday 27 July to Thursday 10 August 2023.

We look forward to sharing with you our pilgrims' journey to Fatima in our next daily update!

Please continue to keep our pilgrimage in your prayers as your children keep you in theirs.

The WYD Team