Sharing the Living Memory of Lisbon

A month has passed since the World Youth Day pilgrimage in Lisbon, Portugal. Four pilgrims in the diocese share their memorable stories of Lisbon. Accompanied by stunning photographs, these stories provide a glimpse into their transformative World Youth Day encounters.

• ​Andrew Min: Joy is missionary
• ​Catarina Avila: Go with haste to encounter our Lord
• Elizabeth Spiess: In a field with 2 million Catholics
• ​Cameron Bluekens: The pilgrimage of love and kindness

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Andrew Min: Joy is missionary

World Youth Day crowd at Opening Mass. Photo credit: Andrew Min.

Joy is missionary! So, each of us has the duty to bring that joy to others." ~Pope Francis - WYD Vigil

I had an amazing time at World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal this summer. There were definitely some challenging moments – whether it was enduring the hot weather, navigating through multiple crowds, or staying overnight for the vigil gathering – but all of these experiences contributed to a deeper growth and relationship with Christ.

​I was particularly moved when Pope Francis remarked that “joy is missionary” during the vigil. All of us are invited to be the cause of joy for others, and to use that joy to spread the good news in our community. 

Since returning home, the joy that I experienced at World Youth Day has become my motivation throughout my involvement at St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy and in my home parish at St. Anne’s Korean Catholic Church.

​As a Korean-Canadian, I am proud to hear that the next World Youth Day in 2027 will be held in Seoul, South Korea. I am hopeful that the next pilgrimage will be a vehicle to not only revive the young adult community at my home parish, but to better integrate St. Anne’s Church to the larger Catholic community within the Diocese of Calgary.​

WYD Canadian Delegation Meeting

In front of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro in Braga, Portugal

Submitted by Andrew Min for Faithfully. Andrew was born in South Korea but grew up in Calgary. He studied international economics at UBC, and is currently employed with the federal public service. His home parish is St. Anne’s Korean Catholic Church, a Korean Catholic Church in the Diocese of Calgary. In his spare time, Andrew loves playing hockey and is a certified official with Hockey Alberta. 

​Photos courtesy of Andrew Min.

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Catarina Avila: Go with haste to encounter our Lord

Group photo in the Church of Santa Catarina, Lisbon after Catechesis. Photo credit: Catarina Avila.

We must go with haste to encounter our Lord in the Sacraments and minister to our brothers and sisters as the hands and feet of Christ in the world." ~Catarina Avila

World Youth Day was one of the most profound experiences of my life!

Throughout our journey, I encountered the Lord in so many ways, both big and small. He was there in the loving eyes of the Holy Father, in the resounding holy silence at the vigil, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the veneration of the relics of Sts. Thomas Aquinas, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. John Paul II.

From experiencing the famous Botafumeiro swing in Santiago de Compostela, to visiting the apparition site of Our Lady of Fatima, to each step that I took in our long and arduous treks, the Lord was present with me through it all, filling my soul with many wonderful graces along the way.

Reliquary housing a spinal disc of St. Therese, first class relic.

Catarina and Rui meeting Bishop Mark Edwards of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, Australia at Catechesis.

This pilgrimage has reminded me that our whole lives are pilgrimages. We are pilgrims passing through this world seeking the Lord, uniting ourselves with Him in every step of our journey. By persevering in love and sacrifice for God, we pilgrims will have the joy to be united with our Lord and rest in the abode of His love for all eternity. And so, we must live every day of our lives as joyful and humble pilgrims, accompanied by the Blessed Mother, who helps us through our challenges and brings us ever closer to her Son.

​Just as “Mary rose and went with haste,” (Lk 1:39) so too, we must not delay in our pursuit of Heaven. We must go with haste to encounter our Lord in the Sacraments and minister to our brothers and sisters as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Our group’s view of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

The botafumeiro, largest thurible in the world, and the main altar in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Submitted by Catarina Avila for Faithfully.

Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal.

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Elizabeth Spiess: In a field with 2 million Catholics

The vigil crowd. Photo credit: Elizabeth Spiess.

That is the only time, the only time that we are allowed to look down upon others: when we are offering to help them up.” ~Pope Francis, WYD Vigil 

During my trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, I was most impacted by all the youth there who shared the same faith as I do. Here in Lethbridge, I did go to a Catholic High School, but not many of my peers were Catholic, so seeing so many people who share the same beliefs as me was so amazing! I also thought it was unbelievably special getting to experience Adoration with the Pope.

Being in a field with 2 million other people in complete silence, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, was incredible. One thing the Pope said that really stuck with me was, "the only time that we are allowed to look down upon others is when we are offering to help them up.”

World Youth Day was an amazing experience; I got to meet so many cool people! It's definitely an experience I will never forget!

Gathering around Fr. Santiago at the vigil as he translated the Pope's message into English.

The Pope arrived by boat on Sunday morning after the Vigil.

Finding some relief after a long walk to the Vigil site with a water fight!

Always time for a treat!

Submitted by Elizabeth Spiess for Faithfully. Elizabeth was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has 3 younger siblings. Elizabeth is a member of All Saints Parish, where she currently serves in many ministries. She has just graduated in the spring from Catholic Central High School and is now attending Lethbridge College with the hopes of one day becoming a teacher. She is also playing on the Lethbridge College Women’s Basketball Team, which has been a dream of hers ever since kindergarten. She loves everything basketball, from playing to coaching her younger siblings, as well as reffing. ​Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Spiess. 

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Cameron Bluekens: The pilgrimage of love and kindness

A quick visit to the City of Joy vocation booths - here with the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Photo credit: Cameron Bluekens.

World Youth Day is extremely busy, but the moments I had in silence were one of the things I treasure most." ~Cameron Bluekens

World Youth Day was a good reminder of how God can bring blessings out of both joyful moments as well as struggles. One of the most noticeable things I experienced on the pilgrimage was how the constant kindness and generosity of others reflected Jesus’ own love for me.

There were days when I couldn't even stand unassisted due to muscle fatigue, but my fellow pilgrims were literally there to support me 24/7. This especially moved me one day when I could not stand at Mass, and I had to hang on to someone to receive Communion: I was leaning entirely on them and on the Lord.

Secondly, it brought home how much I need and cherish Mass and prayer. World Youth Day is extremely busy, but the moments I had in silence were some of the things I treasure most, even though my prayer was mostly just being in God’s presence and in the company of the Saints with their relics.

Third, I recognized recently that I was granted the grace I had hoped for: a greater zeal for evangelization rooted in love. Since coming home, I have prayed for others more fervently and have felt a greater desire to share the truth of Catholicism with them simply out of love and concern, knowing that God so desperately wants to draw them to Himself.

Submitted by Cameron Bluekens for Faithfully. Cameron studies Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. She entered the Catholic Church in 2018 and she attends All Saints Parish in Lethbridge. She is passionate about philosophy and music, and loves reading, going for walks, and spending time with other Catholic young adults.

​Photos courtesy of Cameron Bluekens.