10 Reasons to participate in WYD Lisbon 2023

Aug 12, 2022

1. Being with the Pope
Can you imagine spending a few days near the Pope? Even if you are one km from the altar at the final Mass or just see the Popemobile passing by, being in the same place as the Holy Father is an unforgettable experience! In addition to physical proximity, take the opportunity to listen and support the Pope, who has a very big challenge in the world.

2. Meet young people from around the world
Lisbon will welcome young people from all continents, and you can be one of them! You will see the flags of many countries, hear songs and prayers in more than a dozen languages, exchange impressions with other people – and even bracelets, plaques, numbers, and friendship. We challenge you to prepare and take a box with souvenirs to offer to pilgrims who come from all over the world!

3. Be part of a unique pilgrimage
World Youth Day has been around for just over 30 years, but the practice of pilgrimage is very old. Going on a pilgrimage can be a great way to pray with your body! It is common to walk many kilometres a day and go to bed tired and happy!

4. Experience the true joy of being a Christian
The positive energy of WYD has no equal! People sing and dance all over the city. The atmosphere is amazing, cheerful, welcoming. Bring your good mood and come from there! What are you waiting for?

5. Create memories in this unique event
We could say “What happens on the Journey, stays on the Journey” Do you think so? No! Dream big, allow yourself to be contagious and let the experiences you live on the Journey not close in the drawer of the past, but overflow into the present and the future!

6. Witnessing the faith of different cultures
WYD is a disruptive time when we show the world that the Church is alive! WYD is not just for pilgrims. It involves the entire city that welcomes it, the entire community! Lisbon is getting ready to welcome you and your friends.

7. Charge batteries in your relationship with God
We heard someone say, “this week is an oasis in my year”, a time to reconnect with God. The pace of contemporary life is typically fast paced, our attention is permanently required by devices. It is difficult to stop once a day to meditate? Don’t worry if you haven’t made it as often as you’d like. At WYD Lisbon 2023 you will have the opportunity to recharge your batteries in your relationship with God! Try to predispose your senses to an inner listening and you might be in for a surprise.

8. Learning to serve and love
“We are one, we are two, we are three, we are millions, altogether singing, long live the Pope! Between singing at the top of your lungs and long pilgrimages through Lisbon, needs will arise. Keep one eye on others and their needs – thirst, hunger, heat – and take the opportunity to discover opportunities to serve and love. It is through small gestures that peace is transmitted and received!

9. Improve the future together
Whatever role you play in the Journey – pilgrim or volunteer – it is likely that certain events, stories, conversations, people will take you out of your comfort zone. Take advantage of those shakes or shakes to rip your horizons! WYD is a privileged moment to look to the future together.

10. Make important decisions
You know what? The Journey is such a special event that it makes us realise that we are not alone, even if it sometimes seems to us. There are many people from all over the world who support us, and they are also trying to be saints. We hope that this awareness, combined with experience, will fill you with the courage to make important decisions, the ones that make you dizzy! -- lisboa2023.org




It is less than a year before World Youth Day (WYD) 2023!The organisers of WYD2023 want to know if you are interestedto help them prepare for your participation. All Malaysians(or those residing in Malaysia) are invited to let us knowof your desire to join as a World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 pilgrim.You can express your interest via this link https://bit.ly/wyd2023my. The deadline will be on October 1, 2022.

**Do take note this is not the actual WYD registration, but apreliminary process to anticipate an estimated number ofpilgrims joining from each country.

What is WYD?
WYD is the gathering of young people from all over the worldwith the Pope. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth,an expression of the universal Church and an intense momentof evangelisation for the youth world. It will be held Aug1-6, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. Although its Catholic identity isclearly evident, WYD opens its doors to everyone, no matterhow close to or distant from the Church they are.

What are Days in Dioceses?
The Days in the Dioceses (DID) are gatherings of young peoplefrom around the world that precedes the WYD. For WYDLisbon 2023, DID will be held from July 26-31, 2023 in 17 diocesesacross mainland Portugal and the islands. The youngpeople would be integrated into parish communities of thecountry’s various dioceses and have the opportunity to experiencethe local culture and church.

Interested to learn more about WYD2023? Feel free to checkout the WYD2013 official website about the theme, theofficial logo and exciting news.

This is an initiative of the Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers’Committee (MCYMC).