The year-long countdown for the XXVIII World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, scheduled for 1-6 August 2023, began on August 1. A little over 350 days remain until the global Catholic gathering of young people with the pope takes place. Dioceses worldwide are preparing and recruiting their delegates for the event. World Youth Days [WYD] are occasions when young people from around the world come together on a pilgrimage as an expression of the universal Church. WYD opens its doors to people of all faiths and backgrounds, regardless of their distance from, or proximity to the Church.
“Arise! Dream, take a chance, be committed to changing the world, and rekindle your hopes and aspirations,” Pope Francis encouraged young people. As he invited them to prepare themselves for their journey toward one of the world’s most famous Marian pilgrimage destinations, the pope said, “I am looking at Portugal, I am looking at Lisbon, I am looking at Fátima. I am looking forward to our meeting.”
The Diocesan Youth Commission [DYC] is taking up its own activities in line with the theme chosen by the pope for the celebration of Diocesan Youth Day in October this year. In organising My Miles— a pilgrimage to historical chapels along hiking routes in Sai Kung—the DYC plans to retrace the steps of pioneering missionaries in Hong Kong.
In a recent video message, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan SJ, invited Hong Kong’s young people to join the My Miles initiative. Taking the first step in walking the miles is a crucial challenge facing young people today. A century ago, pioneering missionaries spearheaded the evangelisation mission in the Sai Kung region through their heroic example. This will be an opportunity to retrace their footsteps that young people cannot miss.
“The patroness par excellence of the WYD2023 is the Virgin Mary, who began her journey with the first ‘yes’ to the invitation to be the Mother of Christ. Ever since her fiat, she undertook a tumultuous journey of faith, but never faltered in her steps. She had no hesitation in making the hazardous journey through the deserted hills of Judea to bring happiness and comfort to an elderly Elizabeth.
Therefore, the motto from Luke 1:39, “Mary arose and went with haste,” is intended to inspire the hearts of the tens of thousands of young people who are expected to join Pope Francis in prayer during this faith gathering. The logo for the Lisbon WYD depicts Mary as a young girl to represent the motto and to enable a semblance with the youngest. It also pictures the rosary beads to encourage spirituality and devotion to Our Lady of Fátima.
WYD organisers call on the participants, their families, and the faithful to intercede for WYD to be a profound moment of evangelisation. The days ahead will never be easy for the host country, the organisers and the participants.
As Pope Francis pointed out, the world has yet to escape a pandemic crisis but is already immersed in an economic and a war crisis. However, amid these crises, the pope calls on young people “to prepare and help so that the August 2023 event is a youth event, a fresh event, an event with life, an event with force, a creative event.”
Jose, CMF
