World Youth Day was a great opportunity for me to renew, within the Shalom charism, the primacy of young people in our vocation.
It was my first journey, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited about what God was going to give me. I was surprised as soon as I arrived in Lisbon, the whole city was focused on the event, the public transport systems wished the pilgrims welcome on their signs, everything revolved around this meeting. At the opening Mass, there was a crowd of young people, all different flags and all with the same spirit.
I was able to get to know young people from the most diverse nationalities. Even though I didn’t speak other languages very well, I introduced myself as a missionary and tried to get to know them and live with them. There I could see the universality of our Church, how beautiful it is, full of riches!
During the meetings with the Pope, through his words I tasted once again the certainty that Joy is missionary, that as a young person I can make a difference in the world with small gestures. Today, after these days of pilgrimage, I feel duly sent back to my mission here in Manaus, in the Amazon, where I will promote the Holy Father’s words and all the missionary spirit that the Day brings us.
Lucas de Melo Freitas
Second year disciple of the Life Community in Manaus/AM