From July 26 to August 6, pilgrims from the Diocese of San Bernardino participated in World Youth Day in Portugal, where they celebrated their faith with 1.4 million young people and pilgrims from around the world. Read and view the images below to see a little of the experience of the pilgrims at World Youth Day.
From July 26-31, the pilgrims stayed in the Diocese of Lamego where they were housed by host families for WYD “Days in the Diocese.” There the pilgrims enjoyed an array of cultural and religious experiences. In addition, the pilgrims took the time to participate in community service by visiting a senior home and orphanage.
Guadalupe Rosales and her host mother embrace and say goodbye before the pilgrims departed for Lisbon.
The pilgrims then celebrated WYD in Lisbon, Portugal from August 1-6. The pilgrims kicked off their time in Lisbon with an Opening Mass.
The pilgrims waited for the arrival of Pope Francis for their chance to see and wave to the Holy Father during the Welcome Ceremony.
While in Lisbon, the pilgrims met up with Bishop Alberto Rojas who traveled right after his pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico to Portugal to celebrate WYD. Before their departure, Bishop Rojas also celebrated a send-off Mass for the pilgrims on July 22 at St. James the Less Catholic Church, Perris.
On August 4, they celebrated with Pope Francis the Way of the Cross, which was targeted to the struggles the youth currently face.
Early the next morning, the group set out on a pilgrimage to the location of an evening vigil, where they had Adoration with Pope Francis.
After the evening vigil, the pilgrims camped there in the park for the night. When they arose, they celebrated a Closing Mass with Pope Francis.
Pilgrim Rafael Cornejo and the other pilgrims received the Holy Eucharist during the Closing Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.