LIVING MY WYD DREAM | KAIROS GLOBAL | OCTOBER 2023

Author: Rosa Rose Pallan

Intro: Rosa Rose Pallan shares her enthusiastic experience of WYD 2023, a dream that came true.

World Youth Day has been a longtime dream. Just the thought of being present for the world’s largest Catholic youth gathering together with the Pope simply fascinated me. I always envision the idea of thousands of young people like me, though from so many different countries, cultures and backgrounds, united in the same faith – all equally eager to experience this beautiful fellowship of joy of being one in Christ. 

I first heard about WYD some years ago, it all started with one of my favourite saints, the one responsible for WYD, Pope St John Paul the Great. I’ve known about JP2 since childhood, but I began to better know him through a Theology of the Body (TOB) study group, John Paul II’s teaching of love and sexuality, that I was part of during the Covid years. We were a bunch of crazy JP2 fans. The more I got to know about JP2, his teachings on TOB, his life, his five loves, one of them being ‘young people’, because of which eventually WYD came to be, the more I understood his love for the youth. Being part of WYD, being part of something JP2 had started made me feel in a sense his presence, as I believe that it was his sure intervention that made this WYD possible for me. 

The first step I took when I first heard, during the Covid years, about WYD Lisbon 2023 was to pray. And so towards the end of 2022, I began praying the novena to JP2, which I prayed multiple times before WYD. I made it clear to him that because he was the one who started WYD, it was up to him to take me for it. 

The whole process for WYD, though challenging, was instrumental in helping me realise how God provides according to the need and in his own time. The Bible verse, Psalm 37:4 kept me moving forward with faith in the one who keeps his promises. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. I knew my desire for WYD was not for something temporary but for the lasting experience I would still carry within me even after. So my trust remained firm in the Lord even though there were moments during the visa process where it seemed impossible to move forward. Or while raising the needed funds, some truly hopeless days were made by relying on my own strength, only to realise nothing would happen by relying on myself. I could witness the Lord’s love and concern in the way my family and friends supported me through their generous contributions, prayers, and encouragement, which made me realise again that it was nothing I did, it was because of so many people that this dream became a reality for me. 

Other preparations I did were reflecting on the theme of this year’s WYD, ‘And Mary arose and went with haste’, listening to Pope’s messages regarding WYD, listening to the amazing theme song which I absolutely loved, and also following the Instagram official page and getting the exciting updates there. So the day finally arrived when I started this journey that I would never forget with Jesus Youth India; more people joined us from all across the country. We started on 27th July and landed in Madrid, Spain (an added opportunity to set foot in one more county) and from there journeyed by bus for 6-7 hours to Fatima, where we were to attend two pre-WYD events namely Youth Arise International and Jesus Youth International’s gatherings. 

These two gatherings were a great time of interaction with people from different nationalities. It also focused my vision towards the great evangelisation for the year 2033, of how diverse communities have to come and work together to evangelise and reach-out to the unreached. 

There were super powerful sessions and testimonies during the programme. Also was super excited to meet and be part of Fr Rob Galea's anointed and amazing live worship session. Another blessing was surely being so near the shrine of Fatima, so close to our Lady. We had to pass through the shrine daily going from and to our accommodation. There was this special kind of warmth where you actually felt you were on holy ground. Being able to pray in the shrine and in the apparition spot of Our Lady of Fatima, who  had appeared to those three children felt surreal to me.

Now comes the best part, the whole purpose of the trip, the WYD. We travelled from Fatima to Lisbon by bus on 31st July and settled in for the night. 1st August 2023 was the first day of WYD, oh it was such an exciting day with people everywhere on the streets, in the metro stations, everywhere with flags waving in the air, singing and rejoicing and shouting, Esta é a juventude do Papa! (This is the youth of the Pope) which we eventually learnt and chanted along. We visited the City of Joy, oh what joy was filled everywhere! There we went to the reconciliation park and I had one of the best experiences of confession, and in the adoration tent. By evening it was time for the opening Mass of WYD; it was huge! After Mass, oh the joy in each heart, the church bells were ringing together all over. What I absolutely loved about this WYD was the theme song. We danced and sang to it waving our Indian flag as well. Meeting people was so heartwarming, as what bonded us was the most precious thing, our faith. 

Day 2 was again a blessed day for I met His Holiness Pope Francis. It was by an unexpected turn of events that we reached the place where the Pope was going to pass by. Excited, we waited for an hour, and being right in front of the barricade, all ready to receive him, I shouted my lungs out when I first saw him wave from the car. And as he neared, I simply shouted ‘Papa Francis!’ For moments after I just couldn't comprehend what had happened, I felt so overwhelmed, so blessed. It was indeed a huge moment. Even though he is so old and tired now, the grace on his face and the sweet smile he gave while waving was so beautiful. 

Got the amazing opportunity to attend a live Theology of the Body (TOB) session by Christopher West. Was so excited to listen to him live since I've been following him through his YouTube videos. Likewise many such people like Bishop Robert Barron, Jason Evert, Chris Stefanick, Matt Maher, Jonathan Roumie, and more were present doing various talks and concerts. And then there was this beautiful city of Lisbon to be explored, so many places to visit. We got to see the church of St Anthony of Padua, his birthplace being Lisbon. Then crossing the Tagus River, we went to visit the statue of Cristo Rei (Christ the King) overlooking the whole city of Lisbon. 

Since the WYD package included free public transport for those days, we got to travel in almost all forms from train, to metro, then tram, bus, as well as ferry. The package also included two free meals per day, which were mostly the fast food joints found everywhere. One amazing thing that happens during WYD, which I was sadly unaware of, is the exchange of gifts. You exchange something from your country, it could be anything like flags, or badges, or wrist bands or keychains, or even some saints cards. I just had three extra bands that came in handy, which I exchanged but got back more from generous people. Had I known, I would have taken a ton of things but anyway now can surely prepare better for the next WYD! 

Coming to the main events of WYD that would have everyone participating, Day 1: Opening Mass, Day 2: Welcome Ceremony of the Pope, Day 4: Way of the Cross with the Pope, Day 5: Night vigil and the final Day 6: Concluding Papal Mass. The night vigil was where we slept for the night and venue for the final Mass. To reach there, we had to walk some kilometres with our sleeping bags, meal kits and our belongings. 

As for me, along with three others, we chose to walk the entire way from our accommodation instead of travelling partly by metro as many were doing. So we walked around 14 kms before we reached. Since we had to walk steep roads and hills, it was a good time to reflect on the theme with Mary. And while looking around, seeing the whole countryside from the top of the hill, we realised we were also following Mary as the theme said, ‘And Mary arose and went with haste.’ Remembering something I read, I began to think of Mary walking with haste through the hill country of Judea on her way to serve Elizabeth, with Jesus in her womb, reflecting on the ‘Word made flesh within her’. Was I carrying Jesus within me as well? Was Jesus being made flesh in me? These were the questions I pondered within as we walked and prayed the Rosary together along the way. 

We finally reached our assigned sector of the ground at 6.30pm, six-and-a-half hours after we began. Weary and exhausted, with blisters on my feet and back nearly breaking because of the terribly heavy meal kits, we eventually recovered after a short nap and rest. The ground was already full with many having set up their sleeping bags for the night, and many more still flocking in. Our place was almost 1.5 kms away from the main stage, but the screens and speakers everywhere helped us be a part of what was happening. This was the scene in which 1.5 million people had gathered together and were accommodated for the final vigil and Mass. 

All around, everyone was settling in, spreading their sleeping bags, talking, laughing, eating and sharing meals during which time, songs were being played on the screen. But the most beautiful thing happened when the Blessed Sacrament was brought for adoration. Nobody had to be told, there wasn't any announcement to maintain silence. At that moment, a quiet descended upon the whole ground. Everyone gave due reverence for Jesus because everyone knew. This was the difference of being in a Catholic crowd. I was so struck with that thought! It felt beautiful to worship Jesus joining so many young people from across nations. 

That night we shared and sat with people around us, roamed around seeing people, so many sleeping, others dancing and rejoicing and singing. That night is one core memory for me. 

The final day of WYD 2023 Lisbon dawned bright and sunny. The speakers were buzzing so loud with songs as a morning alarm to wake 1.5 million people. I was woken up with shouts and dancing around me shaking me awake. All around people were getting up and getting ready, and we also went around meeting and greeting everyone good morning. The Pope passed through our sector in his Popemobile while going for Mass and many from our group who hadn't seen the Pope got the opportunity that morning. I also saw the Pope for the final time during this trip, from a distance. Even though it was difficult to understand and get the translated version through radio during the previous days, the final Mass had the translation and we could listen to the Pope's homily as well. The Pope asked us to reflect on what we were taking back from this WYD. He asked us to focus on these three: to shine, to listen and to be unafraid. One thing that he kept repeating was, ‘Do not be afraid, young people. Do not be afraid,’ and ‘Nobody is excluded, the Church is for everyone, everyone and everyone.’ 

The final announcement for the next WYD was an exciting moment as well. Everyone held their breath while he announced that the next WYD would be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. Everyone shouted and rejoiced, especially us Indians who were shouting, ‘Asia!’ 

With that my first WYD journey came to an end, though certainly not the last; the experience and the memories will be cherished forever. And the friendships which started from Delhi, to India to the whole world, people from Italy and Germany and Australia and the whole world would remain treasured as well. 

From WYD 2023 Lisbon, Portugal to the dream for the next WYD 2027 Seoul, South Korea, it continues!

Rosa Rose Pallan is a BA (Elective English and French) graduate. A young missionary of the Santvana Community, she is based in Ghaziabad, India.