What is World Youth Day
World Youth Day (WYD) is an international event organized by the Catholic Church that brings together young people from all over the world to celebrate their faith and to connect with each other every three years. It was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985 and is held every two to three years in a different city.
The main event of WYD is a week-long festival of faith that includes prayer, catechesis, and Mass, as well as cultural and social activities. The highlight of the event is the final Mass celebrated by the Pope, which is attended by hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world.
WYD is intended to provide young people with an opportunity to deepen their faith, to connect with other young Catholics from diverse cultures, and to experience the universality of the Catholic Church. It is also an occasion for the Church to reach out to young people and to offer them support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of modern life. At the last World Youth Day Pilgrimage in Panama 2019, Lisbon Portugal was declared by Pope Francis as the next location of the pilgrimage. Although the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the pilgrimage Lisbon is excited to host more than 1 million young people. To learn more about World Youth Day you can go to the link below.
Rise Up – theme for 2023.
When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary at the annunciation she was afraid (Luke 1:29), but despite of her fear she was moved to do two things; accept the will of the Lord graciously (Luke 1:38) and visit her cousin Elizabeth whom she was told was also experiencing the miracle of pregnancy. Mary sets out without delay and despite her own concerns, to actively participate in God’s desire for her life and all of humankind. In this way Mary demonstrates that when God reveals His call on your life, there can be only one response. We are all called to Rise Up, as Mary did, setting aside fear and our own wants. In this year of the World Youth Day Pilgrimage, the Archdiocese of Port of Spain encourage all youth to rise of and represent Christ. You can do this in three ways.
Open yourself to the encounter with Christ
- Attend a retreat or spiritual event
- Return to weekly Holy Mass obligation
Enter a time of formation and discipleship
- Begin or improve upon a daily habit of prayer or scripture reading
- Seek out a spiritual director
- Research more about the various vocations and
- Learn more about discernment
Act
- Commit to participating in some form of parish/archdiocesan ministry
- Begin or improve your involvement in community activities – charity and justice – to help improve Trinidad and Tobago
