WYD Claret Way – Portugal 2023

WYD 2023, which took place last August (28 July to 8 August 2023) in Lisbon, Portugal, brought together one and a half million young people from all continents with Pope Francis. It was undoubtedly a unique moment of encounter with Christ, of sharing with our brothers and sisters, of service and celebration. The 1st Claret Way YVM was prepared over two years from various YVM platforms, in close dialogue with Claret Way Global and the Branches of the Claretian Family. We remember the YVM of the Claretian Family of Europe and the YVM of the Province of Fatima. Commissions and working groups were created. Activities were organised for the WYD Claret Way, so that this experience would be really transforming and vocational.

WYD 2023 included two moments of the Claret Way: a pre-event from 28 to 31 July in Carvalhos and a final event in the Parish of Santa Maria de Agualva. The Commissions and Volunteers also met from 23 to 28 July to prepare the event. The feedback from the participants, volunteers, WYD leaders, schools and parishes is that this WYD Lisbon 2023 was a time of grace for all, of growth in faith and of seeking to respond to the call of Jesus. The Preparatory Commission of WYD 2023 Claret Way would like to thank and congratulate the 1,500 people involved in WYD Lisbon 2023 for all their support, collaboration and participation, both in person and online. Thank you all! Let us continue along the way!

Here is a quote from Pope Francis addressing bishops, priests and religious: “I wish to pray with you, that we may become, together with young people, audacious in embracing ‘God’s dream and find ways to participate with joy, generosity and transformation for the good of the Church and of humanity’”.

(Fr João Luis Escaleira Alves cmf, prefect of YVM of the Province of Fatima)