WYD Lisbon 2023 has welcomed young people from 150 countries in these five days of programming, according to the Local Organizing Committee. Among the nearly 500 thousand pilgrims, the couple Rodrigo and Jéssica Santos chose the youth meeting as the occasion for their honeymoon.
The couple is from the Covenant Community, in the mission of Santo Amaro (SP). Since their first day in Lisbon, Rodrigo and Jessica have had experiences of encounter with youth through the witness of their state of life.
According to the newlyweds, the thought of going to WYD appeared even before they decided what to do after marriage. The key moment for discernment was during the retreat of the Diffusion of the Work, at the Diaconia, last year. Rodrigo and Jessica stayed a few days at the Motherhouse and were in prayer about the trip.
“It all started from a mission approach,” says Rodrigo. “We thought: let’s go to evangelize as a loving couple. It was after praying that God inspired us to put the two things together,” he adds.
The couple dated for two years to realize their state of life this year. Although the audience for WYD is younger, a couple present in the youth is a sign that it is possible to offer everything to young people. For Jéssica, marriage concretizes what she wants for the world.
“It all starts with our vocation, doesn’t it?” she says. “Having the desire to offer everything for young people rejuvenates us, whether in our vocation or in our spiritual life, because the state of life has matured in me the desire to offer life.”
WYD Lisbon 2023 ends this Sunday (6), with the closing Mass in the morning. For SH pilgrims, the program runs until Monday (7), with the All Together meeting.
SERVICE
All together
When: August 7, starting at 2pm
Where: São Domingos de Benfica Parish Church
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