Arise And Go In Haste!

My dear friends, another month that I bring you the news from my mission. There are 30 days left until WYD! The number is getting so small that more than haste we are already beginning to feel the anticipation. The reality of WYD is becoming more real, and this can only excite us and make us run faster to the beginning of August.

Now on the final stretch, we know that between the desire to arrive in August and the things that we still have to prepare, what we end up really feeling is perhaps more anxiety than haste. But we continue on the way with our eyes fixed on Our Lady, running like her, to meet so many who will visit us so soon. Today, with 30 days left until WYD, I bring you up to date with what has happened in June.

Pilgrim Relationship, Caminho 23 Department

In the Sister Churches project, the project ensuring that all countries will be represented in WYD Lisbon 2023, there has been an increased effort to secure that all the supported pilgrims manage to land in Portugal. With the help of our new teammate Madalena, who came in to reinforce the team, there has been a greater focus on purchasing flights, guaranteeing visas, and payment of the packs of the pilgrims.

We appreciate the great commitment of the visa team to overcome diplomatic obstacles. In certain countries, the pilgrims' visa situation is very dynamic, with challenges that have been overcome on a daily basis. Despite this, at this moment only pilgrims from a few countries are not registered. We are confident that all continents will be well represented. Pilgrims will also be coming from all the countries and territories of Oceania, as we confirm the visa applications of the last ones. We have to thank the Australian dioceses for their support.

Throughout the month, the visa team had several meetings with the pilgrim managers of the episcopal conferences where the urgency of scheduling visa applications were reinforced to the countries with visa requirements. On May 30 the 3rd briefing for the diplomatic corps at the WYD Lisbon 2023 headquarters was held, where the team had the opportunity to advance the work of the WYD.

We feel the week of the WYD coming, with requests from the other departments to prepare for the week, whether to identify people for the celebrations, to gather logistical information, or to help prepare for the meetings in some countries that will meet during the first week of August. We welcome our new teammates who have joined the adventure this month!

Internal and External Events, WYD Lisbon 2023 Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

With the Patriarchate of Lisbon, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpo de Deus) on June 8. There was Mass, adoration of the blessed sacrament and confessions, and the procession of the blessed sacrament through the streets of Baixa, finishing with the blessing in Lardo da Sé.

On June 9, the WYD Lisbon 2023 LOC visited Campo da Graça, Parque Tejo, the site where we will celebrate the vigil and the final Mass of the WYD week. The visit began with a brief speech by the vice mayor of Lisbon, Filipe Anacoreta, who took the opportunity to thank all members of the LOC. Then, the group was able to see all the layout and logistics of each section, the place where the pilgrims will stay.

Together with D. Américo Aguiar, president of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, we celebrated the Solemnity of Saint Anthony, patron of WYD Lisbon 2023 last June 13. After the Mass in the Lisbon Cathedral, there was a solemn procession, with the images of St. Anthony, St. John the Baptist, St. Michael, St. Stephen, St. Vincent and St. James, that went around the streets of Alfama and ended in front of the Lisbon Cathedral.

The Caminho 23 department was invited last June 21 to the celebration in Portugal of the Philippines Independence Day, an occasion where everyone was very happy to participate in. The event was the talk of town for many days in the office! With Ambassador Celia and my fellow Filipinos, I was happy to be an "ambassador" of our beautiful country.

Last June 29 was the 3rd Rise Up meeting in the LOC headquarters with the theme "The Great Message of God's Love". Young people around the world have been proposed three Rise Up meetings in preparation for WYD! We are following this challenge and thus joining the youth from around the world!

Personal Highlights

With great joy, I welcomed my sister Glycel here in Portugal last June 18. I finally have a fellow Filipino volunteer! I am thrilled that my favorite dancer has arrived to join WYD Lisbon 2023’s Ensemble23 team! Ensemble23 is a multicultural group of volunteer artists who will join the official cast of the WYD central events. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

It's been a while that I haven't been with my sister. Last September, she left the Philippines to pursue a diploma in dance under a scholarship in an academy in the United Arab Emirates. This is a great gift to have the chance to spend time with her during her summer break. With all the timing that was placed in this reality, from the application to the visa appointment, this is definitely a miracle from the Lord!

After weeks of anticipation, I surprised a friend, Frère John Savio by attending his ordination as a priest last June 24. I was so happy to witness this important moment for him and share his joy. His beaming smile is a memory I will keep in my heart. The successful surprise was definitely one for the books! Help me pray for him in his new mission as a priest!

Being able to execute this surprise was a gift. When Frère John Savio asked me a few months ago to come, I honestly didn't think I could, and told him that. But after a lot of prayer, research, fundraising and help from friends, I was able to plan the surprise and be there for him. Praise the Lord!

Upcoming Events

July 4 | Caminho 23 Team Building and Department Meeting

July 26 - 31 | Days in the Dioceses

Visuals from World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 local organizing committee and friends.

P.S.

With 30 days away from WYD Lisbon 2023, I am also in my final stretch with my Caminho 23 mission fundraising. I still have expenses I need to cover on this mission. If you would like to join me in reaching my fundraising goal, here are ways to be my mission partner. I cannot fulfill this mission without you. Any help would definitely go a long way. United in prayer!