2023-08-04 11:42:33
Joey Kariveli, Vatican City
In Lisbon, Portugal, where the joyous waves of the thirty-seventh World Catholic Youth Day celebration, in that sea of joy, Pope Francis is also dancing with the youth. The Pope continues his forty-second foreign apostolic tour. This papal visit will end on Sunday the 6th. On that day, the Pope will officiate at the closing mass of the Youth Day celebrations.
Pastoral Visitation programs held on Thursday followingnoon and Friday morning
The Pope’s only event on Thursday followingnoon was a youth reception in Edward VII Park. Although it started on August 1, it was the event where Pope formally inaugurated the World Youth Summit.
Just 600 meters from the Apostolic Nunciature is Edward VII Park, which spans 25 hectares and over 61 acres. Papa went here in an open papal vehicle. On both sides of the road where the Pope passed under the escort of the security police, people were waiting with shouts and applause to catch a glimpse of the Pope. The young women held their fingers in the shape of a heart and silently said, “Papa, we love you.” In an atmosphere filled with music, Papa walked through the five lakh youths present in the park, greeting them. On the stage, young women and men might be seen waving the flags of different countries and taking steps to the beat of the song. A video exhibition of the scenes of the Youth Day meeting held in the presence of various Popes since the beginning of the World Youth Day celebration by Pope Saint John Paul II was also held. At the end of the song, the young women, who were dancing from the specially prepared stage, broke the pipe and let it go upwards. Papa might also be seen clapping his hands with a happy smile. At the end of the hymn, the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel José Macario do Nácimento Clemente, welcomed the Pope.
Release of thanks from the Lisbon Patriarchate
Cardinal do Nácimento Clemente said that in these days full of young people of the Church and the world who have arrived in Lisbon, they welcome the Pope with great joy and gratitude. He also expressed his gratitude to the Pope for accepting his request and invitation to celebrate this Youth Day here. Cardinal do Nascimento Clemente said that they have the need to be rejuvenated by the presence and words of the Pope, so that the beauty of the Gospel shines brighter throughout the world in this era of many obstacles to the comprehensive and peaceful development of peoples. He recalled that while there is no shortage of obstacles, there is also the will to overcome and overcome them with the enthusiasm and commitment of those who want to build a future worthy of human aspirations and God’s aspirations.
A beautiful song followed the words of Cardinal do Nashimento Clemente. After the song, the young women lined up with flags. Another group of youth representatives brought the youth cross and the image of the Holy Virgin Mary to the stage and placed it in a circle with musical accompaniment. After the arrival of the youth cross, there was an introductory prayer. Then the hallelujah song broke out. Then verses from Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 10, 1-9 were recited. After that, the Pope gave the gospel message. After the Pope’s speech, there was a joyous demonstration in the form of slogans by young women. After that the Luthenia of the Saints was recited by the young intercessors in different languages. After that, following chanting the Lord’s Prayer, the Pope gave the blessing. Then there was the symbolic ceremony of sending the youth representatives out into the world. Then the beautiful song and dance of the young women took place
After the reception of the youth, the Pope went to the Apostolic Nunciature 600 meters away, had dinner and rested for the night.
Papa’s program before noon on Friday
On Friday morning, the Pope offered Holy Communion in the chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature. Before noon, the Pope’s events were to hear the confessions of some youth representatives in the Vasco da Gama garden, a meeting with representatives of service centers and subsidiary centers, and lunch with some young women in the Apostolic Nunciature.
An informal meeting with the Pope
Before leaving for the Vasco da Gama Gardens, the Pope met with Maria Concessão Brito Mentonza, 106 years old, and Ajna Pinha López Rodriguez, a young woman suffering from a serious illness, at the Apostolic Nunciature. Maria Concessão was born on May 13, 1917, when Fatima Natha appeared. Ejna Pinha López Rodríguez wrote a letter to the Pope in June regarding her illness and the Pope assured her of his prayers and love.
Vasco da Gama in the garden to confess to the Pope
Pope Vasco da Gama arrived at the garden for the Sacrament of Penance at 9 am local time, 1.30 pm India time. Many people were waiting in the garden waiting for Papa’s arrival. Apart from the Pope, a few other confessors were also set up in the confessional booths for confession, as many drove along the road parallel to the road where the Pope’s vehicle was passing by to catch a glimpse of the Pope. Papa got out of the car and was taken to the confession platform in a wheelchair. A few of those participating in the Global Catholic Youth Day celebrations were lucky enough to confess to the Pope.
After hearing confessions for more than an hour, the Pope went to the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Social Service Center in the Serafina area, regarding 9 kilometers from there. This center has around one hundred and seventy employees in various positions. The center has a childcare section, a nursery school, an old age home and a care section for the disabled. The Apostolic Society of Samaswasnath and the Society of St. Anthony of Campolige are jointly in charge of this parish in Serafina.
An overview with sub-functional service organizations
The Pope met with representatives of the service centers and sub-operation centers at the social service center of this parish entrusted to the heavenly protection of Saint Vincent de Paul. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Serafina Parish Center, the Ajuda de Berso Center, a shelter for children, and the Akrejitar Association. Many people including Bishops and the President of Portugal were present there.
When the Pope arrived at the parish center, he was received by the parish vicar Francisco Crespo. The papa, who was in a wheelchair, touched and blessed those present, especially a child who was brought to him in a wheelchair, and presented them with a rosary. After Papa reached the meeting place in this center, the gathering started with a song. After the hymn, Father Francisco Crespo, parish priest and head of the social center, welcomed the Pope and explained regarding the Serafina Parish Center.
He said that the Pope’s presence fills them with joy and calls them to work ever better for those who need support and the love of Christ.
Father Crespo, who was born in 1959, mentioned the parish center of Serafina, and recalled the fact that as a result of its activities, the poverty situation of the people in the area has changed and people’s lives have improved compared to the past, but there is still much to do. He said that they are trying to grow in love for each person and expressed the hope that it will serve as an evangelization for the service of caring culture. Father Crespo recalled the words of Pope Saint John XXIII that the parish is the spring to which all in the village come to quench their thirst.
Following Father Crespo’s words, a representative of the Ajuda de Berzo Center spoke. The Ajuda de Berso center, which protects abandoned or endangered babies, is 25 years old and was formed in 1998 for life in the context of a referendum to decide whether or not to legalize abortion, the representative of this center revealed.
He said that till date 452 children who have sought refuge in this center are in a safe and secure living condition and 40 children from a few months to 13 years of age are always present in this center. He also expressed his appreciation for the Pope’s efforts to protect life.
A representative of the Akrejitar Association then spoke. Its representative explained that the Akrejitar Association is a group of children, young women and their parents who are cancer sufferers and survivors.
He revealed that for three decades, the group has been trying to nurture hope for cancer cure and provide comfort during treatment, providing emotional, psychological, material as well as educational support to patients. After introducing these centers to the Pope, the Pope gave his message.
After the speech, the Pope spent some time with the children lined up behind him on the stage and expressed his affection. They were clapping their hands to the beat and chanting long live papa. Out of the venue, the humble Papa in his wheelchair greeted everyone in his path. Then the Pope got into the car and traveled to the Apostolic Nunciature, which is more than 5 kilometers away. The Pope, who arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature, attended the lunch with the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel José Macario do Nácimento Clemente and 10 young women from different countries.
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