WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023

Nathan Lirette, Diocese of Shreveport Seminarian

World Youth Day was a unique experience in the universality of the Church. I was blown away by the amount of youth and people that had come to gather for one thing and that is our Catholic Faith. It was an especially unique experience as it was my first time in Europe and my first time outside the United States in general. It was really remarkable to see how our Church has spread throughout the world. Being in an old city as Lisbon where Catholicism has shaped so much of it was a beautiful reminder for how old the Church is and yet how it still is very much the same. I also had the unique opportunity to visit Fatima where Mary did and still continues to show us her Son. Visiting that holy site is something I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I am truly thankful for everyone that made this possible and everyone who gave me the opportunity to experience this great gathering of Catholics from around the world.

Karla Alvarez, Diocesan Director of Multicultural Ministries

Attending World Youth Day had always been a dream of mine and now that I have attended, my smile has gotten bigger. Participating in Mass with thousands of people and listening to the responses in different languages brought tears to my eyes several times, as we were all there for Jesus. I know the pope’s message was to everyone in attendance, but I felt he was talking specifically to me when he said, “keep walking without fear, walk without fear.” I hope to encourage others with my life so that they may live their life without fear as we follow Jesus.

Laurie Nick, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry

Making a pilgrimage to Portugal to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and participate in World Youth Day was an impactful experience. Participating in Mass and praying in Fatima was a powerful prayer experience as I thought about how St. Francisco, St. Jacinta, and Venerable Lucia made sacrifices for sinners and prayed the Rosary at that site. World Youth Day is the global Catholic gathering of young people. This year, 1.5 million Catholics from all over the world gathered in Lisbon to worship God. The theme of this World Youth Day was “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39). When Mary was told by the Angel that her elderly cousin Elizabeth was expecting a child, Mary immediately went to aid Elizabeth. Mary was a missionary as she brought Christ’s love to her cousin. Like Mary, Pope Francis encourages “young people’s evangelization to be active and missionary, for this is how they will recognize and witness the presence of the living Christ.” I look forward to sharing my pilgrimage experience with those of all ages in the Diocese!

Tristan Frisk, Diocese of Shreveport Seminarian

World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal was an extraordinary event that showed the Catholic Church in a unique way. To see and meet with the youth of the Church from all around the world such as France, South Korea, and Argentina was an exciting experience. Not only was it incredible to hear and see the richness of the cultures that make up the Church but also the warm and joyful encounters of all young people that showed the vision of not only Pope Francis but what Christ Jesus envisioned as he said, “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). One could truly see how the Church, though not having every answer, is alive and well by its young members going out prepared to and already sharing the Joy of the Gospel by being accepting of themselves and their neighbor.