Lisbon (Portugal). The event of the World Youth Day (WYD) of Lisbon 2023 is getting closer and closer, with a packed program of events and initiatives that will allow young pilgrims, eagerly awaited in the capital of Portugal, to live profound experiences of prayer, meeting, fraternity, joy according to their desires and inclinations.
To make Don Bosco and the Salesian Youth Movement known to other young people, WYD DON BOSCO 23, the organization responsible for the participation of the SYM in WYD will be present between 1 and 4 August, at two of the main events: the Festival of Youth, in various places in Lisbon, and the Vocational Fair, in the Belem district.
The Youth Festival consists of over 480 events, open to all and spread throughout the city with music, religious and encounter experiences, dance, exhibitions, theatre, conferences, cinema, sports, and more to show everyone that the Catholic Church is a vibrant and young Church, capable of using today’s languages and art forms.
WYD DON BOSCO 23 will be present at the Festival with:
– The musical “Don Bosco”, which will be presented from 1 to 4 August at the Lisbon Casino;
– The “Arruada”: from 1 to 3 August, the young people of the “Musicentro” of the Salesians of Lisbon will go through the streets of Lisbon in the Chiado, Rua do Carmo, and Rossio areas and in Belém to bring joy with music.
– The concert “Pray with us”, to be held at the Church of St. Paul, in Santos on 3 August.
– The presentation of the Tamborá percussion group, of the Ludoteca da Galicia, of the FMA, on 4 August at the Porta del Sole – Miradouro;
– The flashmob animated by the youth of the SDB presence of Funchal, to be held on 4 August at il Terreiro do Paço.
Inside the City of Joy, a space where pilgrims will be confronted with various experiences of true Christian joy that encourages them to face their own journey as a response to God’s call. There is also the Vocational Fair, a space where they can contact various Movements, Associations, Religious Congregations, and social projects.
WYD DON BOSCO 23 will be present at the Vocational Fair with a stand where it will be possible to get to know and deepen Don Bosco and the pillars of Salesian spirituality, the Salesian Youth Movement, and the various Groups that make up the Salesian Family. Young people will be able to leave their testimony and participate in “one2one” moments of informal conversation.
“The Vocational Fair is a privileged place to meet young people. It will allow us to show the Salesian charism in action and to make known the great variety of vocations within our Family”, explains Sr. Mafalda Monteiro, one of the coordinators of the WYD DON BOSCO 23 Events team.
Interviewed by Vatican News, Sr. Alzira Souza, FMA of the Portuguese coordination WYD, says that for the preparation 17 coordination groups have been created that have been working for three years to provide logistical, formation, and solidarity support to the top management of the organization and to those who will participate. “Our main objective is to stimulate the curiosity of young people. We want them to understand what it’s like to take part in an event of this magnitude. For this, we have proposed numerous courses of catechesis, prayer, mission, music, theater, and sport in the name of faith.”
In addition to these, “SYM Day” will not be missing on 2 August, the traditional Salesian meeting at WYD, which will bring together around 8,000 young people of the SYM from all over the world, and which will be attended by Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, future cardinal in the consistory of 30 September; and Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
All the information and programs in detail can be found on the official social channels of the organization WYD DON BOSCO 23.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wyddonbosco23
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyddonbosco23/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/wyddonbosco23/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wyddonbosco23
