Sunday June 23rd, 2023
The countdown until World Youth Day begins as the world begins to prepare for the events and experiences! Many of you may not know what World Youth Day is. It is the annual gathering of youth and young adults for prayer, worship, and celebration of faith. It’s a week of activities and prayer and this year it is in Lisbon, Portugal. Although World Youth Day 2023 is in Lisbon, Portugal many people leave a week before the official World Youth Day to being their pilgrimmage and join to explore other towns and historical places in Portugal, France, and Spain.
The Diocese of Charleston, along with the Saint Francis by the Sea participants, have begun packing and are praying for safe travel. Our group, which includes all the pilgrims from the Diocese of Charleston and pilgrims from the Diocese of Savannah will leave Monday morning. We will leave from Charleston, South Carolina and by Tuesday morning we will be in Lourdes, France.
The group will take an hour flight from Charleston, South Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina. From Charlotte we will take an eight hour and forty-minute flight overseas to Munich, Germany. The next flight will be from Munich to Toulouse, France. After we land in Toulouse, we will take a bus to Lourdes where we will be staying for a couple of days.
Once in Lourdes, we will explore and visit miraculous places. Lourdes is known for its special healing. Many people who are suffering will come visit and receive holy water that is said to heal those who pray and believe. We hope to become closer to God from these World Youth Day experiences as well as becoming closer to Him by exploring this world that He so loving created.
We will then head to Burgos, Santiago de Compostela, Fatima and Santorem before we start our official World Youth Day activities in Lisbon. On this blog, we will share our experiences and the activities we do. Many of the activities include Mass, songs, and parades. One of the well-known facts about World Youth Day is that the Pope always comes, this started in 1985 by Pope John Paul II. He loved to travel and see children happy. He was the leader in initiating World Youth Day.
Please help share our adventure and we hope you learn just as much as we will. We hope you pray for all those participating in World Youth Day 2023!
“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure” – Pope John Paul II
So sad to leave Hilton Head but happy to start an adventure!
Comments
DonnaPosted on 7/29/23
Safe travels to and within the beautiful countries you will visit. What an honor to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to share your faith with those who love the Lord as much as you do.
Sending big hugs and prayers for your safety and well-being.