Testimony: WYD Lisbon 2023: an engine that helps us move forward
More than ten thousand members of the São Vicente de Paulo Society have gathered for the WYD Lisbon 2023. Chanel, a 24-year-old student in Dijon, France, and a volunteer in the São Vicente de Paulo Society, says she has “come to the WYD 2023 to meet young Christians who are passionate about Christ” like her. She also wants to “share this moment with brothers and sisters” to “feel less alone in this world.” She confesses that “it is a little tiring to run from one place to another,” but she says she is “satisfied” because “she goes to mass, meets sisters, priests, and young people like her.” Therefore, “she feels good and believes that it is worth running,” like Mary, who arose and went with haste.
Julien, 21, from Dijon, is also a volunteer of São Vicente de Paulo. About WYD, he says that “it has been great since he arrived.” In Dijon, he tells us that “he participates in the conferences organized by the Society in the youth center.” He also “helps some students to join the society” and “those who want to convert to Christ”. Like Mary, who arose and went with haste.
Shandy, 24, a psychology student in Dijon, is also a volunteer in São Vicente de Paulo Society. For her, “coming to the WYD is an opportunity to meet all these young people who share the same faith”. She considers it “enriching”. She notes that “we live in a world where there is a lot of despair, there are things that are not very comfortable for the spirit and, especially for young people, there is a lot of negativity.” Therefore, “coming here and living these moments allows us to recharge our batteries and have more hope for the future,” she says. For the young psychologist, “meeting people who share the same faith is like an engine that helps us move forward.”
Celerine, 40, from São Vicente de Paulo in Vannes, one of the oldest members of the group, recalls how the group “was welcomed in Felgueiras,” in northern Portugal, before joining “the international group of the São Vicente de Paulo Society in Lisbon.” For her, coming to the WYD is also “meeting other young people who give themselves in [to WYD].” São Vicente de Paulo, in Vannes, takes care of people in need, gives them a hot meal and then talks to them, she says. She confesses that she was “very touched” by the catering service provided by the Salvation Army and the homeless during this WYD Lisbon 2023. She says that “from the beginning we ate fast food,” and she is very happy to have had “a real meal, served while sitting.” She considers it “impressive to know that we are being served by people who we are trying to help.” Her presence at the WYD Lisbon 2023 is “to spend time with the whole group of São Vicente [de Paulo] and live the faith with others.”
