Day 5 - Wednesday 2 August 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

After the high of the Opening Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday was a more gentle day as we prepared for the days ahead.

After another wonderful breakfast we headed out to Quinta da Granj, a park, for our first Rise Up! Encounter session.

These morning sessions involve testimony from young speakers, live music, catechesis (a teaching talk by a bishop) finishing with Mass. Throughout Lisbon, there are many of these sessions in different languages. We arrived at the English-speaking session to hear from Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston.

Archbishop Comensoli had an impromptu catechesis session with our Melbourne pilgrims exploring Mary's 'yes' to God's call at the Annunication and Visitation and held a wide-ranging Q&A with our pilgrims answering their many sincere questions about faith and life. We finished the morning with Mass alongside many other English-speaking pilgrims from USA, UK etc. It was a great opportunity to meet with many young pilgrims from across the world.

In their small groups, our under 18 pilgrims went for a supermarket and pharmacy run to ensure they have food, water and supplies in preparation for the walks and events in the days ahead. Throughout Lisbon, there are restaurants and cafes that offer special pilgrim packs with nourishing meals. Our pilgrims had lunch in small groups.

Afterwards, we arrived back in the Marriott for a time of rest, relaxation and dinner.

The highlight of the night was a talent show! Amongst the under 18 cohort are absolutely brilliant, talented singers and musicians. Our pilgrims enjoyed the show and were great at supporting their peers performing! The night closed with a moving and heartfelt testimony from one of our leaders and a time of prayer and song. It was a beautiful moment that our pilgrims experienced and a great beginning to the next few days ahead!

The next few days will see WYD in full swing as we will welcome the Pope, explore WYD events throughout Lisbon, celebrate the Stations of the Cross and head into our final Pilgrim Walk, Vigil and Sunday Mass.

Keep in touch with our pilgrimage on Facebook and Instagram.

A reminder that if parents or guardians urgently need to contact the Pilgrimage Leadership Team, they should call the Parent/Family Hotline (+44 7360 666 378).

The WYD Team