World Youth Day Blog

August 4, 2023: A pilgrimage like World Youth Day is full of uncertainty. Each moment is an opportunity for surrender and trust. In all the uncertainty, our group can always be certain of a few things: we will be waiting in lots of lines and spend quite a bit of time standing around. However, these things are made easier when you glance around the crowd of thousands and see your shepherd standing with you. The presence of Archbishop Sample on this pilgrimage has been a true gift. He is unafraid to do what is hard and often uncomfortable. As we wait in long, hot, and crowded areas he is by our side. He is guiding us and sacrificing with us. He is not only guiding us on the journey but is also a pilgrim just like us.

On Friday we were able to attend the Via Crucis, Way of the Cross. What a powerful experience to meditate on the Passion of our Lord in this crowd full of hundreds of thousands of people. And again, we are joined by the witness of Archbishop Sample. He is so present to our pilgrims even while pilgrims from all over the world stop him for photos and to chat. We are reminded of what a gift it is to have a shepherd who truly desires to know and serve his flock.

It was powerful to meditate on the Passion of our Lord on the first Friday of the month, which is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is on the cross that we are reminded of Christ’s unending mercy for us. How beautiful to meditate on Christ’s journey to Calvary as we prepare to journey the next day for our Pilgrim Walk, which will conclude WYD with a closing Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. We will walk over seven miles (one way) in the Lisbon sun carrying all that we need to sleep under the stars and celebrate Mass on Sunday. This unique experience is an opportunity to imitate Christ’s journey to Calvary. We have an opportunity to offer our suffering to Him and unite them to His Most Sacred Heart.

We pray that on this Pilgrim Walk the Lord would purify us and make us more like Him.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!

August 3, 2023: Blessings, and now burgers.

As I sit down to order a little something that reminds me of home (yes, a good ol’ fashioned burger), I am wondering how to begin blogging about what exactly happened today. Riding the metro this time was not as wild as it has been the past several days; rather it was one of joyful song as our pilgrims encountered those from Colombia who broke out in songs of praise in their native tongue. It only seemed proper for Portland pilgrims to return the favor.

Trying to enter the Colino do Encontro was like being herded like sheep. Perhaps in a strange spiritual way, we were sheep moving in haste to welcome our Supreme Pontiff, the Shepherd of the Church here on earth. We were not sheep without a shepherd. We were instead sheep going towards the shepherd. All around us was a sea of young people and a forest of flags from around the world: Portugal, Spain, Germany, France, each country raising their banners in a proud spirit of patriotism. However, it was our Stars and Stripes that caught the eyes of every American pilgrim and stirred up cheers from pilgrims worldwide shouting, “USA! USA! USA!”

When we arrived at the site of the Welcome ceremonies, I couldn’t help but notice how many had already filled the Colino do Encontro. All of us were willing to wait 2.5 hours for Pope Francis to arrive. Some napped. Others snacked. Still others went around to encounter other pilgrims from other parts of the world.

Then…he arrived! The Holy Father was driven through the pilgrims and lucky for us Portland pilgrims, we were able to catch a glimpse of him as he passed by. The successor of St. Peter had finally come among us. Perhaps the highlight of the afternoon were his words to the young people. Among them, three points stand out as the most prominent. First, Pope Francis emphasized to the young pilgrims that each and every one of them are “called by name.” Each one of us is called by name by the Father. First, he calls us into existence out of his love. Second, he calls us into intimate communion as a response to His love. It is in this very real love of God that we find our integral value.

Pope Francis adds to this in his second prominent point: “God loves you!” God loves us. He loves us despite our weaknesses so that his love may make us strong. He loves us in our brokenness in order that his grace may make us whole. He loves us in our woundedness in order that the love of his Heart may be our remedy and healing. He loves us despite our sinfulness so that in his infinite mercy he may pardon us and make us saints.

Lastly, the Holy Father stated plainly, “There is room for everyone in the Church.” This is the beauty of Holy Mother Church, that her arms are wide to embrace every man, woman, and child. Her arms are outstretched to embrace every sinner and every saint. There is room in the Church for everyone, and one enters into it as a response to the gospel of Christ by conforming their lives to Christ. In a world of confusion and loneliness, the Church opens her arms inviting those to come to her so that through her, they may encounter Christ. Therefore, let us rise in haste and be the missionary disciples to bring every person we meet to the Heart of Jesus.

- Andy Sanchez, Seminarian

August 3, 2023: “USA, USA, USA!” We hear this chanted all through the streets of Lisbon. Most of the time it isn’t even the Americans that are chanting this but the other countries. Except when we were at the USCCB USA World Youth Day Gathering surrounded by a sea of Americans, then we knew everyone chanting with us was a fellow Catholic American.

What unique experience to be surrounded by thousands of young American Catholics in country that is not our own. Thousands gathered for Eucharistic Adoration in a park in Lisbon and to hear Bishop Barron speak. Before we entered into adoration, Bishop Barron reminded us that is not the “watered down Jesus” who transforms hearts, but the Truth who Christ is that transforms our hearts. How often we do this, water down who Jesus is instead of sharing the Truth. Jesus has the power to transform any heart. He is unafraid of our weaknesses and shortcomings.

We are again reminded that Jesus is in constant pursuit of us on this pilgrimage. We were hoping at the USA gathering to see our other Archdiocese of Portland friends traveling with other groups but thought it would probably be unlikely considering there were thousands of people there. Well, again God can make what feels impossible possible. We ended up running into the groups at this gathering! When the Archbishop Sample was announced at our gathering you heard the crowd roar with Oregon pride.

The Church can often feel so big but the Lord creates ways for us to remember He is always drawing near and making Himself known, even through a simple encounter with friends that seemed impossible. 

- Alexis Torres, Parish Pastoral Support

August 2, 2023: In partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' World Youth Day Office, and the Catholic Apostolate Center, bishops from across the country offer their reflections to those who are experiencing World Youth Day in Lisbon or streaming virtually. Archbishop Sample is among those sharing their reflections on World Youth Day. He discusses how we can model our lives after the Blessed Virgin Mary in carrying the experience of Jesus to others.

Listen now!

July 31, 2023: Our first official day in Lisbon is complete and my heart is eager to see what our Lord has in store for our pilgrimage.

A pilgrimage is not about being on a vacation but it is an invitation to imitate Christ. We took time this morning to share a grace we hope to gain from this pilgrimage and a common theme shared was surrender. We are often tempted to grasp and seek control in life, and a pilgrimage is no exception to this idea. However, this journey allows us to surrender our plans, our desires, our needs, and our hearts to the Lord.

While we weave our way through the streets of Lisbon and pop in and out of Church my heart but can’t help but think is this what would feel like to be a disciple of Christ on the streets of Jerusalem? And then I realized the 12 disciples and our over 40 pilgrims have much in common. We both desire to know and serve the Lord. We are all invited to follow Him in our daily life. Jesus is in pursuit of our hearts!

I was convicted of this today as I walked back to our hostel from dinner and ran into a group of Sisters of Charity. Sr. Anastasia stopped a small group of us with a simple question, “Do you want to say ‘hi’ to Jesus? He is waiting for you in adoration nearby”. We all gave an eager “yes” to spend a few moments with our Lord in prayer. This is the life of a disciple, giving Jesus our simple “yes” every day.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us!

- Alexis Torres, Parish Pastoral Support

You can follow along without leaving home! Shalom World