Catholics In Action Mount Isa

Youth Reflection - Ally
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Right now it’s midnight in Lisbon, Portugal and I’m currently trying to sleep in the middle of nowhere… on the side of the highway… with over 2 million other pilgrims… rocks digging into my back… and whilst concerts and chants still ongoing. Today was the day of the 2023 World Youth Day sleep out.

The day started off with a quick train trip, preparing us for what was to come. Once we got to somewhere on the highway we started our walk holding all the supplies we’re gonna need for the whole night and morning. It took us around 2 hours to actually get into the sleep out areas, where we then set up our camp. It was very hot and dry but we managed to pass the time with sleep, card games and eating.

Later on in the day, we kneeled for Adoration, the blessed sacrament. For me this time was very special as even though I was surrounded by so many people, there was silence and I could take that time to pray and reflect. Overall today was very challenging but was also rewarding.
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Youth Reflection - Georgia
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Last night we all slept over at the WYD sleep out. Personally, the sleep out was so draining. I think I only got an hour of sleep because of rocks stabbing into my back and my side. Once we woke up, Cogo and some of the group - including myself - walked back to the train station to catch a train back to the hotel. Most of us had not much of a sleep so we were all trying to stay awake. Once we got back, I went and got something to eat then I went for a shower straight after. I don’t think I have ever had such a good shower… EVER. After I had a sleep, we then got up and got some dinner. Dinner was so good, even though it was Maccas. After I packed my bag, I was ready for the flight to Paris the next day.

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Youth Reflection - Ella
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Heaps of fun was had by everyone today…it started with a bit of a sleep in then off we hopped to the beach. After many train rides we arrived and found the water felt like the Antarctic and not the Atlantic. Nevertheless, we still boogie boarded and body surfed for a few hours.

We then grabbed a feed by the beach and rushed back to our hotel alongside all the other pilgrims ready for the main event tonight which we could watch from our accommodation.

As we were walking back, we saw the Pope for the second time this trip which is pretty cool.
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Youth Reflection - Sophie
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Today was an eventful third day of World Youth Day. Beginning with a slow start at 10:00am, we headed to the Cathedral of Portugal and the surrounding areas. After some wonderful pina coladas🍍 (alcohol for free for our U18s of course😉), we headed back to our hotel in style, riding tuk tuks through the streets of Lisbon🛺.

Following a quick break for lunch, we headed out again to attend the Welcoming Ceremony where we would see Pope Francis for the first time🌟 It was a special moment as he drove by, with many of our pilgrims seeing him for the first time. It was also special to participate in the chants dedicated to the Pope, and join in with a few of them📣.

In the evening, we walked down to watch Father Rob Galea perform by the waterfront🎤. It was an awesome night with thousands from other countries coming down to watch the concert🕺. Another fantastic day in Lisbon, Portugal, for WYD2023🥳
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Youth Reflection - Amy
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We slept in until 8:30am today and caught the train to Quinta Da Granja Park for a Catechesis which is like a big mass where all the WYD pilgrims were. We did lots of trading and talked to many Americans about their life in high school and how different their lives are compared to us Australians. We had lunch there as we sat nice and cool in the shade.

The Cardinal running the mass spoke of wisdom. He talked about a girl that looked after a blind boy and when he got his sight back he realised she wasn’t the prettiest girl in the village so he left her and after he realised what he did - you don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

We Then caught a bus to the University to participate in sport activities including blind soccer, inside bocha, and normal soccer we were unable to do volleyball as it was down at the beach/river.

After the games we went and got ice cream and turned on the speaker and sang and danced to music all the way home. The trains and busses didn’t stop us from grooving.

We arrived back at the hotel and James mentioned the concert on tonight and some of us were that tired we stayed and just got dinner and others went and partied their life away in the mosh pit along with fr Rob singing.

It came to 9:30pm and we went downstairs for reflection and the new question was “was there was a time today when we were proud of yourself?” Mine was when I was able to come out of my comfort zone and talk to other pilgrims which I wouldn’t do back home.
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Youth Reflection - Amy
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Today started off with the usual phone call from the lovely Kimberly (Cogo) to wake us up from our slumber. We had a half day tour of Lisbon and were able to celebrate Mass at the Church of San Antonio de Lisboa.

Mass today was very special for a lot of people as we were blessed to have the relic of St Anthony. When Mass was ended the Sacristan brought the relic out and Father Emene gave us the opportunity to go up and touch it.

Several people had seen relics in the past but never dreamed of actually touching one. It was another occasion during our journey when fate had smiled upon us, and the joy it brought to some of the older members of our group has been a privilege to witness.

After that we had the rest of the day to chill, most of us choosing to have a little nap. Shout out to Mumma Eryan, Today was her 30th B’day!! Love you Mum ❤ Keen for the adventures to come during WYD week, starting with Fatima tomorrow 🙂 Okay, gotta skedaddle now… Cogo wants phones handed in 😕
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Youth Reflection - Winsome
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Today we had to bid farewell to our tour guide & bus driver Carlos and Christina, as we left them for Lisbon. The moment you stepped out of the airport, you were greeted with other World Youth Day pilgrims everywhere you turned. The bus ride was a guess on whether or not the random groups walking by were World Youth Day pilgrims. I spoke to two different pilgrim groups from Senegal and Argentina. Today was a reset day for us because we had nothing planned. A rest was definitely needed.
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