JMJ - WYD 

Don't be afraid to seek a Life of Greatness and Holiness

N'ayez pas peur de rechercher une vie de grandeur et de sainteté

On 20 April 2020, the Vatican announced that World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon had been postponed to August 2023 due to the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, “the current sanitary situation and its consequences for the displacement and agglomeration of young people and families” are at the root of this decision. 

The decision was taken by the Pope with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life (Holy See), and was also extended to the postponement of the International Day of Families, which will take place in Rome, in June 2022.  

«Mary arose and went with haste» (Lk 1:39)

Official Hymn

The official prayer for World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 was presented on Saturday, 21st of November, Memorial of the Presentation of Mary.

Our Lady of the Visitation, 

you who left in haste towards the mountain to meet Elizabeth,  

lead us also to meet all those who await us  

to deliver them the living Gospel:  

Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord! 

We will go in a hurry, with no distraction or delay,  

but with readiness and joy.  

We will go peacefully, because those who take Christ take peace,  

and welldoing is the best wellbeing.  

Our Lady of the Visitation,  

with your inspiration, this World Youth Day  

will be the mutual celebration of the Christ we take, as You once did.  

Make it a time of testimony and sharing,  

fraternization, and giving thanks,  

each of us looking for the others who always wait.  

With you, we will continue on this path of gathering,  

so that our world will gather as well,  

in fraternity, justice and peace.  

Help us,  Our Lady of the Visitation,  

to bring Christ to everyone, obeying the Father, in the love of the Spirit!