More than 200 SH Pilgrims departed from missions around the world to meet Pope Francis at WYD Lisbon 2023. During the six days of programming, the groups of the Community were able to experience the singularities of a journey, from accommodation to the joy of meeting young people of other nationalities.
The Comshalom team heard from some young people who, in a personal way, had an experience with God and with the universality of the charism during the days of the event.
“My 15th birthday gift was WYD”
The young Karolina Caldeira and Giovanna Kempfer are part of Obra Shalom in the mission of Cuiabá. From the same prayer group, the friends opted for a slightly different debutante party: to participate in World Youth Day with the Shalom Community.
The pair got to see Pope Francis up close, as well as endure the dust of the vigil while socializing with the other pilgrims. The decision to swap their 15th birthday party for WYD came from a desire to travel outside Brazil and meet more people.
“Since I was young, I had this desire, even more so to meet more Catholic people who are examples of radicalism,” says Giovanna. “Being among the more than 500,000 pilgrims left marks that, as Pope Francis emphasized, God is for everyone.
“It’s a very tiring event and some things are stressful, but I saw how every young person wanted to be here and be as close to God as possible, everyone happy,” she concludes.
For Karolina, the surprise of the pilgrimage was sharing accommodation with the band Missionário Shalom. From the music ministry of her mission, meeting Gustavo, Max and Keciane was a surprise.
“At first, I thought it would be my small mission group, but then the news came that the Missionary would stay with us,” Karolina says. “It was crazy and a grace from God to live with them, because I had only been to the shows. We had a little party on Keci’s birthday, it was all a providence”.
Close to the Pope, close to ordination, close to young people
Deacon Vitor Aragão, of the Life Community, was very close to Pope Francis at the Sending Mass in Campo da Graça. Registered as clergy, participation in the liturgy was already expected, but getting close to the pontiff was a special grace.
“The delivery of the kits with the vestments was in the middle of the night and we slept for about two hours to get a good place in the space that was already reserved for us,” says the deacon. “At a certain point, they began to free up a space even closer. I immediately called some priests from the community who were with me and we went to this other sector”.
In the clergy group, Deacon Vitor realized how happy the Holy Father was with the announcement of the next WYD in Seoul, as well as the meeting in Rome.
Vitor’s priestly ordination is scheduled for the end of this year. About the sacrament, Vitor says that the meeting marks the final stretch to becoming a priest.
“The Pope speaking to young people is different and it awakens something in me, it gives me a new love to be among them,” he comments. “It’s as if he became young to speak to young people, that’s impressive.”
Change, cambia, troca!
Levi Kalil, from the Fortaleza mission, carries a piece of each country in his backpack on his way back to Brazil. During World Youth Days, exchanging souvenirs among pilgrims is a tradition, an act called “change”. Warned about this, the young man from Ceará prepared for the exchanges with bottons he made himself to raise money to come to Lisbon.
“They told me to come prepared and spontaneously exchange the buttons,” says Levi. “We can meet new people and cultures, even introduce the Community through these exchanges.”
The young man also says that he does not speak English and Spanish easily, but that this was not a problem to make the exchanges. Despite not knowing the host city of the next WYD, Levi was keen to exchange something from South Korea as he already loves the culture.
“I saw a Korean girl with the flag and I just went to ask for a picture with her, but she ended up giving me a botton of Our Lady of Korea and I gave her one of St. Joseph,” he details.
SH pilgrim as WYD volunteer
The missionary of the Community of Life, Guilherme Santos, managed to go to Lisbon as a volunteer of the WYD Organizing Committee. Engaged in the Parish of Cova da Piedade, the consecrated young man served in the reception of pilgrims in a nursery and a school, separating breakfast for each one and sleeping on site.
Even though his community house took action to send the missionaries as pilgrims, Guilherme’s experience volunteering at the Journey was based on the joy of serving.
“The experience of service goes far beyond the sense of joy, because we are able to see in the other our encounter with Christ,” he says. “Not only for me, but other volunteers have had the grace of being able to alleviate the fatigue of pilgrims with the welcome, being able to express joy and give consolation with service.”
Highs and lows, but in the presence of God
Mike Delouis, 37, came from the Community’s mission in New York. WYD Lisbon was his first participation in the youth gathering, including most of his group.
With the setbacks of the grueling routine, the challenges motivated Mike to be more rooted in prayer. “I didn’t know what to expect, but what I can say is that at different times I was in the presence of God,” he says.
In addition, Mike says he used the occasion to make friends with people from other nations and learn more about the Shalom Community.
“Being in contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures gave me a new perspective on the relationship one can have with God,” she shares. “It made me have a new willingness to pray for others and ultimately open myself up to prayer.”
The next World Youth Day will take place in 2027 in the South Korean capital Seoul. Stay tuned to @juventudesh_ for updates!
