MY PRODIGIOUS WYD EXPERIENCE | KAIROS GLOBAL | OCTOBER 2023

Author: Stephy Varghese Thazhone

Intro: Stephy Varghese Thazhone shares her WYD 2023 experience and how it has been a blessing.  

It was my first-time attending World Youth Day in Lisbon. I'll never forget the hours I sat staring at the clock, obsessively checking the calendar, daydreaming, preparing my belongings, and counting down the seconds till July 29th. The desire to set foot in Lisbon as soon as possible was driven by excitement and curiosity. I was travelling that day with a companion. The delay to our flight was notified every 15 minutes until it exceeded two hours. Yet our spirits were unaffected by the flight's two-hour delay. 

On arriving in Lisbon our next stop was getting to Fatima by Flixbus to attend the last two days of Jesus Youth International. Most of the Jesus Youth members from Germany had already arrived at Fatima to attend the Youth Arise International on July 18th. The spectacular beauty of the tower with a golden crown could be seen, from a distance, as we arrived at Fatima and embarked on our way to the programme venue. A sight to behold was Jesus' golden statue on a pillar in the centre of the square with open arms. The church seemed to be gathering believers to her, from far and wide like a magnet. 

Though we arrived late we decided to directly take part rather than retire to our accommodation. When we reached the venue, it was already evening and time for the Youth Arise International anointing prayer. I was slightly hesitant if I should be a part of it. No sooner had I thought that I felt an invisible push and found myself joining the crowd on the stairs descending to the line of priests standing at the foot of the stage, praying with their hands over our heads. My turn came about half-an-hour later. As I was prayed on, I was told what Jesus had to say to me. It made me feel joyful, but I was also overcome with a strange feeling at the same time. Truth be told, one starts to cry when you're standing in front of God. But I needed to hold back because I wanted to hear every word, He had to tell me. The dam didn't burst until I got to the back of the auditorium. Calmed down, I saw that over 95% of the crowd couldn't hold back either. They felt Him. Some even got together and hugged one another in tears. A couple of more people tried to console their friends. There was a very strong spiritual energy in that huge hall that night, and it was felt by all who were there. It was the Upper Room all over again. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was taking place again as it had happened aeons ago. I stood on top of the hall, watching it all unfold before my eyes. I've often found it difficult to talk about spiritual experiences, but here I've seen a lot of people who felt the same way I did. My first day there and a lot had happened. He brought everyone at face value. And the way Jesus did it was magnificent.

The spiritual experience at Fatima was intense and so much that it made those gathered there very excited. The fact that there was such a great number of nationalities paying their respects to the beloved Virgin Mary everyday was even more inspiring. Many shuffled on their knees around the mega-park-lined esplanade all the way to the chapel of apparitions. I've also learned that the locals gathered in the square every night, even after work, to pray the Rosary, something that today's generations are reluctant to do.  

It was time to set out for Lisbon, then join the rest of the world in celebrating World Youth Day. 

I'd been accommodated in the school gym in Odivelas with other women and some men. In total, the accommodation was occupied by 200 people. We were told to wake up before 9 am and leave the building so that the volunteers could lock the school and attend the day’s events until 7 pm

Our plans began with the City of Joy, where vocational exhibitions from many countries were set up and over 150 confessionals were held in different languages. The WYD theme song - Há Pressa no Ar was heard all over Lisbon. In the evening we gathered at the enormous park, Parque Eduardo VII. As witnesses to the events, more than 1.5 million were present. Opening Mass and an ideal day to strike up friendships with many from all over the world marked the first day of WYD. When brought together in the name of Jesus, we were ONE. Guards were lowered, and hearts were opened. It was a time for joy, laughter, and most of all to shower affection on those who were not well-acquainted. The exchange of religious souvenirs with people from other countries felt heavenly. 

For four days from 9 am-12 pm we gathered for Rise Up encounter sessions with Holy Mass. The train stations, restaurants and streets in Lisbon were packed with thousands of pilgrims. What took just 5 minutes, took almost an hour to get to the estimated destination. Each day brought with it surprises and fulfilment.The feeling of fellowship had grown and strengthened with each passing day. In and around Lisbon, concerts and talks were organised, the most popular of which was called ‘The Change’. After Mass on 5th August, we began to prepare for our pilgrimage journey from Saldanha to Campo da Graça. Under extreme heat the 8.45-kilometer trip (after 5.5 kms with fire-hose showered all of us with cold water to cool us down) to Campo da Graça was completed on foot. Many were overwhelmed by fatigue and dizziness. We headed to Tagus Park in thanksgiving to celebrate Night Vigil and the final Mass by Pope Francis the next morning would surely remain in our hearts forever. It was one of the most unique experiences I've ever had, and I'll never forget how it made me feel to be among everyone who saw Pope Francis in person. 

Whoever said that Christianity in Europe is dying?! The 1.5 million people gathered there was proof enough that it is very much alive. Only His sheep know to listen for a shepherd's voice and come back to Him.

The day arrived where with great difficulty, we had to part.

After reaching Frankfurt, it took me a week to come back to normal life. I've only been meditating with the Rosary and the Bible in my hand in those days. Jesus, the Rosary, and the Bible: the spiritual hunger was real. My heart felt at peace. None mattered, not even phone calls or email and social media. It was the same thing with my friends, I learned after a week. 

The fact that each of us felt something and received powerful blessings in different ways from God was clear. We all experienced our own divine encounters that have enabled us to begin a new life. It's unique and special to us, a reminder from God that when we fall, he'll always be there to get us back up and move on, until we get to our destination that Jesus has in store for us.

Stephy Varghese Thazhone lives in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and works as a project manager in the Frankfurt university hospital.