Friars Joachim Yeowon Yoon and Regi Mathew participated in the World Youth Days, which took place last August in Lisbon. Friar Joachim shares his experience with us.
“Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39).
It’s the Biblical quote chosen by Pope Francis as a motto for the World Youth Days. And through this quote, Pope Francis addresses young people:
“Let the evangelization of young people be active and missionary, because that is how they will be able to recognize Christ present and alive, then bear witness to him.”
As “Young Franciscans,” a group of seven members from five ethnic backgrounds (Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Cameroonian, Sri Lankan), we joined “Mission Jeunesse Montréal” to travel with almost 400 young adults from Montréal to the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal.
During our first week at the WYD, we stayed in the city of Portimão. We participated in an event called “Welcome to Paradise,” that the community of Chemin Neuf prepared, along with 4000 young people from 60 different countries. While participating in different activities such as workshops, worship, prayers and the Mass, we experienced a strong sense of God’s presence. We could meet with God and the people around us. And we learn to respect and love each other. This moment gave us a lot of hope, energy and good memories.
During our second week, we travelled to Lisbon to participate in the 2023 WYD with thousands of young people. During that time, we had to walk a lot daily, sleep on the floor of a classroom, showered outside with cold water and without protection, which was difficult. Furthermore, the unpredictable weather could suddenly become very hot, which would make the experience even more difficult.
Despite these challenges, everyone seemed to have fun. Nothing could stop us from being with God and worshipping him. Despite our differences and our origins in different parts of the world, we expressed our joy by singing and dancing together. This unity through diversity made us feel like a family in God and our hearts became filled with his love.
During the WYD, we had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis, who addressed us warm messages. He seemed elated to be there with the young people. The way he smiled at the crowd was comforting. People could feel that he cared for everyone that was there at that moment. We saw the joy and the contentment in his eyes. Pope Francis encouraged us:
“Let us carry Jesus within our hearts, and bring him to all those whom we meet! In this beautiful season of your lives, press ahead and don’t postpone all the good that the Holy Spirit can accomplish in you!”
Joachim Yeowon Yoon, OFM
