In a world suffering from “diseases of the soul,” like pride, hatred and violence, the young people who traveled to Portugal for World Youth Day showed that another way of living and interacting is possible, Pope Francis said upon returning to Rome.
World Youth Day was not a vacation, but “an encounter with the living Christ in the Church,” the pope said Aug. 9, as he shared some reflections on his trip to Fátima and Lisbon for World Youth Day, an event that saw 1.5 million people gather for a prayer vigil and for Mass. In addition to the large events with young people from around the world, the pope said he had an opportunity for smaller, more intimate meetings, including with a group of young people from Ukraine, “who shared stories that were painful.”
Seminarians, priests and laity from the Diocese of Camden were among those who traveled to Portugal for World Youth Day, which was Aug. 1-6. Each day, the Diocese’s seminarians and priests shared their reflections, photos and prayers on all diocesan and Catholic Star Herald social media platforms.
Among those to attend World Youth Day: Father Adam Cichoski, diocesan director of vocations and rector of Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; Father Joshua Nevitt, associate director of vocations; Father Edward Friel, pastor of Mary Queen of All Saints, Pennsauken; Transitional Deacon Ricardo Lozano Cruz, and seminarians Vincent Asselta, Theo Deluhery, Nicholas Esposito, Michael Leason, Timothy Mulranen, Nickolas Naticchione and Thomas Piro.
Deacon Ricardo Cruz said he was inspired early on in his travels, as soon as “[I] saw the magnificent and amazing view of Lisbon from the plane when we landed around 11 a.m.” As they left the airport, Father Nevitt offered “a very welcoming, hospitable, caring and very prayerful smile to all. This was the kickoff of our memorable experience in Lisbon.”
Following are further reflections from the seminarians as they traveled Portugal, visited churches and shrines including Our Lady of Fatima, sat in on catechesis talks and attended Mass with Pope Francis.
“This World Youth Day has shown me that not only is the Church universal, it is very much alive. … I am truly inspired by the youth of the Church so willing to reach out and engage with others from all over the world. … As the Holy Father remarked, ‘There is room in the Church for everyone … Todos! Todos! Todos!’” ~ Nicholas Esposito
“We visited the famous monastery of Saint Jerome. Though we couldn’t go in the monastery, we found many other pilgrims on our trek who we talked, laughed and prayed with together. …
“Later, we had Mass with thousands of young people celebrated by Cardinal Manuel do Nascimento Clemente [of Lisbon]. There were two captivating moments to me. The first was hearing the music and voices of the Church’s young people! The voices of joy with haste in their hearts to approach the Lord in great numbers gave me chills. Also, introducing myself to so many people around the world, getting to know, pray, and sing with them touched my heart.” ~ Theo Deluhery
“[Today], we had the afternoon free to participate in various WYD activities held throughout Lisbon. My classmate Tom Piro and I decided to walk around to see a couple of beautiful European churches. One of the churches Tom and I visited was the Church of Saint Sebastian [in Lagos], which was absolutely breathtaking! While I was praying, I was not only fascinated by the beautiful ancient architecture, but I was amazed at how many people decided to spend time in prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. This just reassured me that nobody is here to have a party. People are here to unite together in Christ as a Church in order to spread the Gospel message ‘to all corners of the earth,’ as Jesus commanded.”
“The beauty of seeing men and women of my generation pray so devoutly gives me great hope that our Church still and will always remain the Church established by Jesus himself! That is why we come here to unite as young people so Christ can be made present to us, not just in Portugal, but around the whole world!” ~ Timothy Mulranen
“After spending time exploring the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, we shopped around in the town as we talked with others from different countries, including Lithuania, Italy and Madagascar. Later, we embarked on a journey walking the Stations of the Cross as Father Friel led us in prayer. This very path was the same one that the girls who Mary appeared to in Fatima also walked. … As we see and meet more and more young Catholics from around the world, my vocation, and I’m sure the vocations of my brother seminarians, continues to be strengthened!” ~ Vincent Asselta
“We began the [today] early by participating in another catechesis session. This time, the session was led by Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minn. He spoke … on the necessity and characteristics of prayer and silence. He extolled the pilgrims to take time to pray and build up genuine friendship with God – in the depths and silence of one’s heart.
“[Later that day] we traveled throughout Lisbon to venerate the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Mary Magdalene at two churches run by French and Portuguese Dominicans. …
“As evening approached we, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from every nation, convened upon Lisbon’s central parks for the Pope’s arrival and the Stations of the Cross. The popemobile drove so close to where we were at by the gated paths!” ~ Michael Leason
“We began our day with Holy Mass, and some of us went out shopping to prepare for the overnight vigil. It is a tradition for the gathered youth to camp in the field where Mass will be celebrated by the Holy Father the following day.
“We made our way to the camp with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world. As we marched our way down the streets of Lisbon, we could hear the numerous chants and anthems of other countries gathered together to pray with our Holy Father. While at the park, we had opportunities to meet other young people and learn about the different countries and their own journeys of faith. … We also spotted some scouts building trenches along the sections in the field to make sure no water came into the camp during the night.
“We concluded the day by listening to Pope Francis and praying with him before the Blessed Sacrament. Our Holy Father spoke of Mary making haste to help Elizabeth with her own pregnancy. God did not command Mary to help Elizabeth. Instead, Mary made haste because she was filled with joy! We are not called to fulfill obligations. We are called to be happy! Those who hear the message of Christ and believe in him are the ones filled with joy and desire to share that same joy with others.” ~ Thomas Piro
“We are preparing to return home, unafraid to rise up as witnesses of the Gospel of God’s love with these words of the Holy Father in mind, ‘It is Jesus Himself who is looking at you at this moment. He is looking at us. He knows you, He knows the heart of each one of you.’” ~ Nickolas Naticchione
OSV contributed to this report.
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