What is WYD?
World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. This unique experience has inspired hope and transformed the lives of countless people since 1986. Pope Francis following the footsteps of Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, has once again invited the young people of the world to meet with him, from August 1-6, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal.
WYD Theme: Mary arose and when with haste – Luke 1:39
Dear young people,
It is with immense joy that I invite you all to participate in the 36th World Youth Day in Lisbon – Portugal, from 1 to 6 August 2023.
With Mary, let us rise and leave in haste to share our faith with the world. As Jesus was for His Holy Mother, the Gospel is such a great treasure to us that we cannot keep it to ourselves. We must share it with the world.
Through these days, Pope Francis is inviting young people from all over the world to heed the example of Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, and become servants of the joy of His gospel and bearers of hope to the world.
I pray for you and every pilgrim heading to Lisbon to live a unique experience with other young Catholics from all over the world.
+ Antoine-Charbel Tarabay
Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania
WYD information, including the travel itinerary and costs for the Spain direct pilgrimage option can be accessed here
Personal testimonies from MCHF students intending on going to World Youth Day
“World Youth Day is an event that will strengthen my faith with my Lord and Saviour. To be unified with thousands of people with different ethnicities and cultures yet come together with the shared value of devotion as I do, will be an experience compared to no other. World Youth Day will teach me the way of the cross, how I can be better for not only myself but for the people around me and will allow me to raise awareness towards the important contributions our youth brings to our contemporary society”.
Charline, Year 12 (2023).
Traveling to Portugal next year will be a wonderful encounter with Jesus through the universal Church as pilgrims meet Pope Francis and millions of faith-filled young people from around the world. MCHF has chosen the words ‘Trust in God’ as our group WYD theme and St Mary of the Cross [MacKillop] as our patron saint.
