Along with Lisbon, Setúbal is also a diocese of hosting. At the Santa Ana College, home of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, there are about 150 pilgrims from the Salesian Youth Movement who are experiencing World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 in an effusive way.
Carlos, a native of Tanzania, is participating for the first time in a World Youth Day and tells us that the experience is “wonderful”. “In addition to being my first time at a WYD, it is also my first time in Europe, it is a visit to a new continent”, he says. Carlos also considers that the meeting of people from different cultures and the encounter with the Pope will certainly “impact the youth”.
“Joy”, is the word that Roseira, coming from Angola, uses to define this World Youth Day. With regard to her expectations, Roseira hopes that this WYD will leave a mark on those who will participate in it: “I hope that this Day will be so impactful for us young people that as soon as we leave here we can witness the love of Christ, lived and shared with all our brothers and sisters”.
Mayra, from Cape Verde, tells us that she sees her coming to WYD as an opportunity to meet new people and from different places, but also as a way to decide if she will continue her studies in Portugal.
The young pilgrims remain firm in their faith and on the journey, as Pope Francis asks them to.
