Filipino pilgrims attend WYD gathering in Lisbon
Published Jul 25, 2023 09:05 am
More than 1,500 Filipino pilgrims have arrived in Lisbon, Portugal to attend the World Youth Day (WYD), the largest gathering of young Catholics worldwide.
World Youth Day 2023 (Facebook)
“Between 1,500 to 2,000 delegates will be coming from the Philippines. The CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth alone is sending nearly 300 participants,“ said Fr. Jade Licuanan, executive secretary of the CBCP-ECY. According to the CBCP, the Filipino pilgrims have started to arrive in Portugal this week for the “Days in the Dioceses,” a preparatory journey for the pilgrims and the host community to experience the days around WYD. From July 26 to 31, the pilgrims will get acquainted with the host region and the local Church, the CBCP added. WYD organizers said more than 67,000 pilgrims from 126 countries will be welcomed in the 17 dioceses of mainland Portugal in the week leading to WYD in Lisbon from Aug. 1 to 6. The young delegates who will be divided into more than 950 groups, will stay in host families, parishes, public facilities, and schools. The Philippine contingent is from different dioceses, religious congregations, and lay church organizations. Aside from the ECY delegates, the Archdiocese of Manila sent 34 pilgrims while the Cebu archdiocese has about 40 pilgrims. The Couples for Christ also has around 30 delegates. Around 20 pilgrims are from the Diocese of Pasig which is sending an official delegation to the WYD for the first time as a diocese. Established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the weeklong WYD celebrations gather hundreds of thousands of young people from different countries. Held every three years, the last WYD was held in Panama in 2019. The gathering was supposed to be held in 2022 but had to be postponed because of the pandemic. Activities held during the week long event include liturgical celebrations, networking, faith sharing, catechetical sessions, and prayer with the Pope. #WYD 2023
World Youth Day 2023 (Facebook)
“Between 1,500 to 2,000 delegates will be coming from the Philippines. The CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Youth alone is sending nearly 300 participants,“ said Fr. Jade Licuanan, executive secretary of the CBCP-ECY. According to the CBCP, the Filipino pilgrims have started to arrive in Portugal this week for the “Days in the Dioceses,” a preparatory journey for the pilgrims and the host community to experience the days around WYD. From July 26 to 31, the pilgrims will get acquainted with the host region and the local Church, the CBCP added. WYD organizers said more than 67,000 pilgrims from 126 countries will be welcomed in the 17 dioceses of mainland Portugal in the week leading to WYD in Lisbon from Aug. 1 to 6. The young delegates who will be divided into more than 950 groups, will stay in host families, parishes, public facilities, and schools. The Philippine contingent is from different dioceses, religious congregations, and lay church organizations. Aside from the ECY delegates, the Archdiocese of Manila sent 34 pilgrims while the Cebu archdiocese has about 40 pilgrims. The Couples for Christ also has around 30 delegates. Around 20 pilgrims are from the Diocese of Pasig which is sending an official delegation to the WYD for the first time as a diocese. Established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the weeklong WYD celebrations gather hundreds of thousands of young people from different countries. Held every three years, the last WYD was held in Panama in 2019. The gathering was supposed to be held in 2022 but had to be postponed because of the pandemic. Activities held during the week long event include liturgical celebrations, networking, faith sharing, catechetical sessions, and prayer with the Pope. #WYD 2023