Become a volunteer
Let yourselves be led by the Lord and offer yourselves as volunteers at the service of the One who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for all” (Mk 10:45). And your life will reach a fullness that you do not even suspect. - Pope Benedict XVI at the Meeting with Volunteers in Madrid, WYD 2011
Since its first edition in 1986, World Youth Day has been built with the collaboration of thousands of volunteers. One of the greatest beauties of this meeting with the Pope is the gift of work and time of so many young people who, free of charge, give others the opportunity to participate in a unique experience.
Register as a volunteer for WYD Lisbon 2023 here!
Information on Central Volunteer Packages available here and Parish Volunteer Packages available here.
A volunteer is someone who is aware of having a mission. There is something worth offering up for. It is this free and generous offer that gives the volunteer the joy and consolation of knowing that he is doing his part in this world for which we are all responsible.
At WYD Lisbon 2023, the Volunteer lives in the first person the theme of this Journey: Maria got up and left in a hurry. Wanting to serve the other, renouncing some personal things, for the joy that is found in service.
Volunteering at WYD Lisbon 2023
Participating in WYD Lisbon 2023 as a volunteer is a unique experience. Why?
You develop decisive skills for your personal and professional life. All volunteers will follow a path of personal preparation. Training proposals where you will have the opportunity to share your experience, while learning and developing essential skills to put into practice in all dimensions of your spiritual, personal and professional life.
You live an experience of faith in a multicultural environment. With people from all over the world, from different backgrounds and cultures, WYD is a wealth for all participants. As a volunteer, with the particular mission of serving all pilgrims, this experience will be even more enriching.
You contribute to making possible the biggest event for young people around the world. We still don’t know how many people will come to Lisbon to attend this meeting of young people with the Pope. But we know that the meetings with the Pope at the various WYDs were the largest concentrations of people around the world. It is an honour to be part of the team that made it possible!
You approach the Pope and the Church. Being close to the Pope and feeling his presence is an unique and remarkable experience. It is around the words of the Holy Father that the Catholic Church gathers, opening its doors to all who want to approach it. By being part of the WYD volunteer team, you will experience unique moments and you will be a witness of faith in Jesus.
How can I make a difference?
In an event of this dimension, there are several types of volunteers. Some will have a very visible mission and in prominent places, and others a more discreet and equally critical role in making WYD happen. Especially in the latter, it is very beautiful to see how they offer their time in service, even giving up participation in some of the central events. As Pope Francis tells us, in volunteering every service is important, even the simplest (meeting with volunteers in Krakow).
There are volunteers from all over the world. Usually, most are from the host country of WYD, but all journeys have the help of international volunteers. Everyone can register on the online registration platform. In any country where you live in, you can find information and help through your parish.
What is the period of time that the volunteer will serve?
Short-term volunteers, who will be the vast majority of WYD volunteers, must be available between July 23 and August 7, 2023, to perform their duties at WYD. Candidates with lower availability may register on the central volunteers registration platform – access here. However, we will always give priority to volunteers with full availability and we will only validate the rest if necessary.
