On January 8, WYD Lisboa 2023 organized a preparation meeting with volunteers. D. Joaquim Mendes presided over the Eucharist and recalled the words of Pope Francis: “to be a volunteer is to be a craftsman of mercy”.
Over 1,000 volunteers, team heads and volunteer pivots gathered last Sunday for the first preparatory meeting of 2023. The organisation has shared useful information, including on the functions of volunteers, training and other internal initiatives.
The meeting, which took place at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Lisbon, began with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by D. Joaquim Mendes, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon.
In his homily, D. Joaquim Mendes recalled the words of Pope Francis: “to be a volunteer is to be an artisan of mercy”. “I thank God for each one of you, for your willingness, for your generosity, for serving this beautiful project, of the mission of the Church, which is World Youth Day,” he added. Joaquim invited all the volunteers to seek “to be the stars who guide, for the meeting with him, the young people from all over the world who will come to World Youth Day”.
Photos: Pedro Viana/JMJ Lisboa 2023
