As I spent time reflecting on my two-week-Portugal trip in front of the Eucharist, I can truly say I have encountered the Real Person of Jesus Christ in this trip. Lord, You are not only present in the tabernacles of the churches, but you were truly present throughout the joys and struggles of this trip.
Fifteen years ago I went to World Youth Day in Sydney with a group of ladies older who were than me; we came from different countries. At that time, I had no idea what this trip would mean apart from the fact that it would be a nice experience to meet the pope and see the universality of the Church before starting a new stage of life.
The experience helped my determination to find a Catholic Community once I got to university and ensure that I went to Mass every Sunday and met friends there. This time, after many years of waiting and being disappointed that I still had not had the chance to attend my second World Youth Day, God opened the door for me to go on this pilgrimage again, after spending years trying my best to be faithful and discerning his will for my life.
Together with brothers and sisters from Christ Youth Action, a community where I have devoted my past few years, where God has manifested his love for me, we embarked on this World Youth Day pilgrimage. In Fatima, I experienced Mother Mary’s invitation and confirmation for me to rebuild my relationship with her and to pray the Rosary more fervently not only for myself and those that I know, but for conversion for all sinners. I am inspired by the love of the three visionaries towards Jesus and Mary, and how they were willing to pray and suffer for sinners. Kneeling during the Way of the Cross was also a very deep and profound experience, as I could really feel Mary’s maternal love; that I’m not alone in my struggles.
In Chemin Neuf, we had a Welcome to Paradise Youth Festival which was six days before World Youth Day. Despite feeling unwell and full of struggles which kind of made it very difficult for me to really enjoy, I experienced the love and care of my groupmates. As I felt so unwell and lost right at the beginning of the festival, I didn’t understand why I had to be there. Yet, in the midst of being so broken, so weak and lost, I saw Jesus, the Eucharist walking towards me and towards the stage in the arena which was packed with thousands of young people.
Fifteen years ago I went to World Youth Day in Sydney with a group of ladies older who were than me; we came from different countries. At that time, I had no idea what this trip would mean apart from the fact that it would be a nice experience to meet the pope and see the universality of the Church before starting a new stage of life
Behind the beautiful monstrance was a screen showing a lamb on Jesus’ shoulders. What a beautiful image reminding me that I am carried on his shoulders. I felt like the lost sheep as I couldn’t enjoy the joy of the festival, and Jesus searched for me. During the festival I also had the opportunity to attend various workshops, attended praise and worship sessions, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experienced the community’s Heart to Heart prayerful experience.
I am particularly grateful that God allowed me to go through some heart-to-heart experiences with my fellow groupmates where we opened up ourselves and shared our deep stories and feelings, these experiences definitely deepened our bonding and prepared us to move on to Lisbon.
As main part of World Youth Day began, I recalled my experience in Sydney. What a joy it was to attend the opening Mass once again with so many pilgrims. I was so touched and moved throughout as I felt this was something that I had waited 15 years for; experiencing the universality and vibrancy of the Church. I also had the privilege of meeting friends that I had not seen for many years so it was really a beautiful and blessed experience.
Apart from meeting my friends, it was also a privilege to attend talks and Masses by our bishop and to meet with other fellow pilgrims from Hong Kong. A huge highlight for me was on the Thursday evening, when a few of us decided to run across the streets to see the relics of Blessed Carlos Actus, the English-born Italian Catholic and website designer, who is best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world and cataloguing them onto a website which he created before his death from leukaemia at the age of 15.
Many love this young saint, known for his love for the Eucharist. As we entered the chapel, we saw the Eucharist together with the relics of Blessed Carlos. We spent time in deep prayer and contemplation, and sang some praise and worship songs, recalling the experience of the trip. We were invited to move towards the altar row by row and as we reached the first row, I was deeply moved especially when I heard, “All I need is You Lord”. Thank you Jesus for reminding me all I need is you and you alone.
I am particularly grateful that God allowed me to go through some heart-to-heart experiences with my fellow groupmates where we opened up ourselves and shared our deep stories and feelings, these experiences definitely deepened our bonding and prepared us to move on to Lisbon
After a few days of a very packed schedule, deep sharing and being super exhausted, we faced the challenge of walking in the heat for many hours with our heavy stuff for the vigil. It was indeed the highlight of the whole WYD. On our way, we encountered people who were willing to offer us water, who were willing to show us where the washrooms were, groupmates were sharing water and food and cooling pads, supporting each other physically and mentally. I truly saw the spirit of feeding the 5,000 in our group. Thanks to my groupmates, because without their help I would not have made it all the way to our destination.
What a joy it was to finally meet Father Paschal face to face and finally have some deep spiritual sharing not just over video call! Despite a very tiring night and difficulties sleeping thanks to the sliding slope, it was very exciting to see the Church so alive with 1.5 million people attending the Missioning Mass celebrated by the Holy Father on the feast of the Transfiguration.
“Be not afraid”, this was the main message from Pope Francis, which he repeated many times in his homily … something that I am still ponder deeply in my heart. To sum up, this is definitely the most insane trip, where I have to admit I felt lost and exhausted, and demotivated many times— totally burnt out especially due to insufficient sleep and lack of energy, getting sick and somehow burdening those who cared for me.
Many times I wished I could simply spend more time in church praying instead of going through such exhausting excursions, and yet, our Lord has clearly shown me that he is not only present in where I think he is, where I can physically see him, but truly in our community and in our hearts. May God be praised forever.
Janet KY
A Hong Kong delegate to WYD Lisbon
