A pilgrimage is a journey a pilgrim makes to a sacred place for the purpose of venerating it or to ask for heavenly aid, and ultimately to come to know God better. Christian pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Shortly after, pilgrimages started being made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as places where there had been apparitions of the Virgin Mary. In the past, pilgrims would leave their homes, families, and comforts to walk for hundreds of miles with nothing but what they could carry on their backs. Just as the pilgrims from the early centuries, we modern pilgrims also leave our homes, families and comforts in order to journey to sacred places. (WorldYouthDay.com)

The course of life here on earth is one long pilgrimage. The physical pilgrimage we take to a sacred shrine is a symbol of the spiritual pilgrimage we are on throughout our lives. Each day we have the opportunity to encounter Christ through suffering, joys, interactions with others, and through every aspect of our human experience. By taking what we have learned from our pilgrimage and putting it into practice in our daily lives, we come to a better knowledge of God.

Yes – The Old Testament presents several physical journeys which also have a deeper spiritual meaning. For example:

• The journey made by Abraham to the chosen land. His willingness to obey God makes him a model of faith and obedience.
• The story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites travel through the wilderness to the land of Canaan, experiencing both hardships and God’s care and guidance.

Both emphasise the theme of God journeying with his people and stress the importance of being willing to obey and trust God.

The city of Jerusalem developed into a centre of pilgrimage, a place where God could be encountered in a special way. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem (during the time of the Old Testament) on the three feasts of Passover, Weeks and Booths became a requirement for all male Israelites who would often have been joined by other family members. During periods of exile, pilgrimage to Jerusalem took on additional emotional and spiritual significance. (The University of York)

Yes we do, it’s from 22-35.

World Youth Day is targeting 16-30 however welcomes other ages as well.

If you are outside these limits, please contact us directly and we can see if an exception can be made or, we can help direct you to a different pilgrimage that caters to a slightly different age range.

Yes – we are currently planning on connecting with all other Carmelite groups on the 31st of August.

Find out more here. 

“Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39) is the bible quote chosen by Pope Francis as the motto of the World Youth Day that will be held for the first time in the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal. The biblical phrase (a quote from the Gospel of St. Luke) opens the account of the Visitation (Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth), a biblical episode following the Annunciation (the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God, and the theme of the last WYD, in Panama). 

Mary of Nazareth is the great figure of the Christian journey. She teaches us to say yes to God. She was the protagonist of the last edition of WYD and will be so once again in Lisbon.

In the biblical episode of the Visitation, the action of standing up presents Mary as both a woman of charity and a missionary woman. Leaving in haste represents the attitude depicted in Pope Francis’ indications for WYD Lisbon 2023: «may young people’s evangelization be active and missionary, for this is how they will recognize and witness the presence of the living Christ».

Find out more here. 

Opening Mass

Presided by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, Manuel Clemente.

Welcome Ceremony

This is the first moment of encounter between the young people and the Pope.

Way of the Cross

A prayerful & immersive experience where we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Vigil

One of the events with the Pope in which we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and we pray together.

Missioning Mass

A celebration presided by the Holy Father to end WYD Lisbon 2023. Before the end of the Mass, the Pope will announce the city that will host the next edition of World Youth Day.

Find out more here.