Oblate News

World Youth Day: Day 1

Our jounrey so far. Tuesday 1st August 2023

Our youth from the Anglo-Irish province have arrived in Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023 and taken the first day by storm.

The morning saw them joining the worldwide community of Oblates to meet with Superior General, Fr Chicho.  Around a thousand of the Oblate youth gathered in Parque de Jogos 1º de Maio ready for the two-hour sessions which included; singing, dancing, prayer, sharing and hearing the message from Fr Chicho. You can listen to the full talk here:

The afternoon saw our youth gather in preparation for our welcome Mass, making friends along the way from across the world. With such warm weather over in Lisbon, and such large crowds gathering for the Mass, our team took up base under a tree in Parque Eduardo VII  to take shade from the sun, and with a good view of one of the many large screens to view the proceedings. 

During the Mass +Manuel Cardinal Clemente, Patriarch of Lisbon gave the welcoming homily. He said,

Mary…was young like you…All of you set…for some of you it was a difficult journey…What is important is you set out…Virtual reality keeps us seated in front of means that easiy use us when we think we use them..on the contrary- reality consists in going out to encounter others…to make a better world…The path you traveled here was worth the effort. Nothing can substitute this personal path together to enounter the path of all. Since we believe in Jesus as a path to God, we walk with him to bring him to others. Haste is in the air here during these wyd days. This haste is different- it is to share what carries us forward- bring to others what brought you here… Everyone we meet ( like Elizabeth) must be a true greeting. Lisbon welcomes you. Let us learn from Mary to greet each person.. may we be people in a mutual constant invitation. 

Keep an eye on our page for more updates from Lisbon.