There's A Rush In The Air!

We are 3 months away until World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023! It's scary but exciting - I am definitely feeling the rush in the air! We now enter the final sprint. Mary already sees Elizabeth on top of the mountain, we already see August just around the corner, and Pope Francis almost knocking at our door. It is becoming increasingly clear that what we are working for is something concrete, tangible, and coming to life.

Unforeseen things also multiply with an urgency to be solved, and perhaps more frightening. But also our prayer intensifies! I trust that Jesus and Mama Mary will guide us and carry us to Saint Elizabeth. Jesus gives meaning to all the challenges we face in our days of service to WYD. With less than 90 days left until WYD, I bring you up to date with some highlights in the last month.

The goal of bringing one pilgrim from each country of the world is becoming more and more concrete in our team. Many nationalities are already registered, and we continue to ensure that all can come including the poor and the persecuted. It is amazing to witness the zeal and generosity of parishes, dioceses and groups in Portugal and all over the world collaborating with us to reach everyone one by one.

In the last month the number of meetings we have had with the countries who needs support has increased and we have heard great testimonies. It has also been hard to get to know difficult realities very different from ours, but a great grace to see the joy in knowing that they will be able to share their faith with young people from all over the world.

While many left Lisbon to have a restful vacation during the holy week, I decided to stay and follow the Easter Triduum liturgy locally. On Maundy Thursday's Mass in the Cathedral, I was blessed to be one of the twelve who participated in the washing of the feet. What a gift to experience this first time, and no less than during my WYD Lisbon 2023 long-term volunteering journey! What a gift to encounter Jesus through the cardinal - on his knees to wash my feet, needing help to stand up. My heart was touched even more when his gaze and smile reminded me that Jesus loves me so much. Jesus not only offered his hands to cleanse us, but his whole self to redeem us.

I celebrated the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday with fellow volunteers who were staying in Lisbon. I was touched that everyone was checking up on each other, making sure that no one was alone. On Easter Monday, the WYD Lisbon 2023 local organizing committee (LOC) volunteers department organized a get-together dinner for the long-term and medium-term international volunteers. What beautiful moments of fellowship to celebrate the Lord's resurrection. Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

On April 22-25, I went on a waking pilgrimage to Fatima with fellow WYD Lisbon 2023 LOC volunteers. Starting in Nadadouro, we followed the Ways of the Sea, through São Martinho do Porto, Évora de Alcobaça and Porto de Mós, until arriving in Fatima. Besides the long walks, our pilgrimage was filled with prayer, reflection, silence, praise and worship, fellowship and Mass. I am humbled to walk with my fellow volunteers and be entrusted with your prayers.

As someone who enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors back home, I consider myself physically fit to finish the pilgrimage strong. But on the second day, I was already limping because my left leg was having uncontrollable and painful spasms. I pushed through the day, offering it for those who asked that I carry their prayers with me. After lunch on the third day, I finally asked a ride on the service vehicle. It was an unpleasant experience for me from the get-go but it was humbling to ask for help! After a lot of prayer and reflection, I realized it was how God wanted to speak to me in the pilgrimage. I didn't need to carry everything. I can rely on him, who is already aware of what I need. I didn't need to be the strongest, he just wants me to offer my heart, to be totally his.

"Do not fear this sickness nor any other sickness, nor any sharp and hurtful thing. Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need something more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you." These are the words of Mama Mary to San Juan Diego. Her words are words of consolation not only for the saint but for me as well. After seriously resting, re-hydrating, and eating bananas, I decided to walk on the fourth and last day. Raquel, a fellow volunteer, accompanied me, lending support as I limped through. When we finally entered the Fatima sanctuary, I instantly felt peace and forgot the pain. What a gift to be embraced and welcomed by our mother in her sanctuary.

I am grateful that Mama Mary has accompanied me in haste not only in this pilgrimage but also in my WYD Lisbon 2023 volunteering journey. My heart continues to burn from the spirit-filled pilgrimage and with God's grace, I respond in haste to his call day by day. As we get closer to August, I joyfully run with Mama Mary to get closer to Jesus, looking beyond the realities of our daily work. Courage! Mama Mary, pray for us!

See you in Lisbon! All information about World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 here.