Day 7 & 8 - Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 August 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our World Youth Day pilgrimage leads to this point - the Pilgrim Walk, Vigil, sleep out and Mass at Campo da Graça. Our pilgrims participated in the program wonderfully, whether they walked to Campo da Graça or joined in online.

We prepared for the day with breakfast and packing food, water and supplies to allow us to make our pilgrimage to the final Mass safely and gently, particularly in very warm conditions.

For some pilgrims, who couldn't make it to the final WYD events in person, we had a great program in Marriott including watching the livestream of the main events on a big screen at the hotel.

As we joined the huge throng of pilgrims into the site, we were blessed to be seated close the stage and the altar of the final Mass. Our pilgrims were exceptional in the way they supported each other as they made their journey.

As night fell, the Vigil, led by Pope Francis, commenced. This time of song, prayer and a speech from our Pope culminated in complete silence as 1.5 million pilgrims prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. We heard Pope Francis speak of joy, vocation and lifting others who have fallen.

Before and after the Vigil, we passed the time by sharing meals, swapping souvenirs with pilgrims and playing games. We then slept out under the stars ready for the final Mass.

As the sun rose over the Tagus, we were woken up by music and prepared for morning Mass. Pope Francis arrived and Mass began.

In his homily, Pope Francis asked this question: 'What will we take back with us to the valley of our daily lives?' He offered this challenge for us to 'to shine, to listen, and to be unafraid.'

At the end of Mass, Seoul, South Korea was announced as the next World Youth Day in 2027! As Mass drew to a close, we made our way back to the hotel, welcomed back in celebration, ready for a shower and plenty of rest!

In the evening, the under 18 pilgrims had a meaningful time together of prayer, the Rosary, reflection and a Q&A where pilgrims asked tough and wonderful questions about faith, the Church and life.

Our incredible pilgrimage is almost at an end. Over the next day, pilgrims will leave Portugal and make their journey home to Australia.

If parents or guardians urgently need to contact the Pilgrimage Leadership Team, please call the Parent/Family Hotline (+44 7360 666 378).

The WYD Team