World Youth Day 2023

By Fr. Steve DeMaio, SDB, Assistant Vocations Director – Young Adult Ministry

(Toronto, ON – August 9) – Over 130 young people from the SUE Province arrived in Lisbon for World Youth Day, thanks to the hard work and preparation from Ms. Mariel Cabrera, Sr. Hae-Jin Lim, FMA, Fr. Paul Chu, SDB, and the office of youth and young adult ministry with a special thanks to Mrs. Amy Stockinger.

The province group of 27 made a pilgrimage that began in Paris and made stops in Lisieux and Annecy. The group continued to Italy, where we visited the places of St. John Bosco’s birth and education. Finally, we spent days together in Valdocco with the guidance of Fr. Mike Pace, SDB.

After eight days of pilgrimage, the group landed in Lisbon ready to participate in World Youth Day. Before the opening ceremony, the group of 27 was able to meet Mariel, Sr. Hae-Jin, and the 43 Canadian pilgrims for Mass at a convent near the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

On Wednesday, Mariel, Sr. Hae-Jin, Fr. Paul, and Ms. Vicky Weekley joined other representatives from Salesian provinces across the world for an SYM forum, where they met and discussed in small groups the needs and realities of Salesian youth around the world. The Rector Major and Mother General then answered questions submitted by five young people. The day concluded with a Salesian festival in Estoril, a real moment to live out the Oratory with all the Salesian youth who were present for World Youth Day. The groups enjoyed three days of Catechism and had a chance to welcome and pray with Pope Francis during the World Youth Day events that took place in the afternoon and evenings.

The entire pilgrimage was life-giving and a great opportunity for the young people to encounter the universal church with the Salesian Family.

To conclude we’ll leave you with some words from Pope Francis, "be not afraid…joy is missionary…let’s rise in haste and go with Mary."

Thank you for your prayers, and know that we prayed for you too!