As the month of August begins, a group of around 30 young adults will be travelling to Lisbon to join World Youth Day. 

The journey begins on July 31 and they will return on August 7. Together with hundreds of thousands – probably millions – of young people throughout the world they will join together with Pope Francis.
For this year’s WYD’s motto, Pope Francis has chosen a passage from Luke’s Gospel: “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39), which opens the account of the Visitation, when Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth following the angel’s announcement to the Blessed Mother that she would be the mother of the Son of God.
The Holy Father will arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday August 3. The next day he will attend a welcome ceremony for all those taking part in WYD. On Friday, in the evening, he will preside at Stations of the Cross with all the participants. He will join all the young people on Saturday at 8.45pm to begin the Vigil. The young people will spend the night at the Tejo Park in preparation for the Mass at 9am on Sunday morning.
Each day there will be catechesis in various languages for the young people around the theme of WYD this year. Our own group will have the opportunity to visit Fatima on Tuesday August 1.
It will be my personal joy to be able to accompany our group of young people throughout the whole week. Please keep us all in your prayers and I am sure you will read more about this wonderful event in next month’s Voice.  

In blessed hope, 

Terry+