Verbum Dei SG - World Youth Day 2023

By Terence Lo. Posted on 20 Sep 2023.

Between 1st and 6th August 2023, 13 young people and 2 missionaries from Verbum Dei Singapore attended World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, with the theme "Mary arose and went with haste" (Luke 1:39). Together with 1.5 million fellow pilgrims in WYD, the young people experienced the synodal journey in the Universal Church, through the series of Rise Up Encounters, by reflecting on the major themes of Pope Francis' pontificate, including Integral Ecology, Social Friendship and Mercy. While travelling around Lisbon to attend conferences, workshops, as well as the main events where Pope Francis presided, we experienced the unity with each other from different parts of the world. In the closing / sending Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration, all of us were invited to ponder the words of Pope Francis' homily to be a light to shine forth, listen to God and not be afraid as we return to our lives.

We then travelled to Aveiro, Portugal, to attend a post-encounter in the Verbum Dei World Youth Encounter, which welcomed communities from continents including Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and Americas. During the days of the Encounter from 7th to 10th Aug 2023, not only did we receive practical support for our faith and life through the workshops, talks and prayer exercises, we also experienced the beauty of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist in Fatima, visiting the city of Aveiro, the procession of our Lady and the cultural exchanges with participants from different groups. Recognising that each participant had been called by God through the communities in Verbum Dei, we built, deepened and strengthened friendships through the sharing of faith, life and love.

Indeed, the joy of following Jesus in World Youth Day and the Verbum Dei International Encounter allowed us to love the Holy Trinity, Mother Mary and our brothers and sisters more.

Testimonials

“It is well known that God can be found in silence. 

But as I went on the pilgrimage to World Youth Day, 

I was surprised to discover that God can also be found in noise. 

Importantly, I realised that unlike the noise of chaos or busyness, 

this was a noise of vibrancy and encounter, 

a noise that stemmed from the desire to share one's life with another. 

And as I saw how brightly the pilgrims around me 

bore the image of God, I wondered 

how I, too, could create more fertile soil for God to move in me and through me.”

- Deryn Teoh, World Youth Day participant of Verbum Dei Singapore contingent

Singapore contingent with Singaporean missionaries and friends at Verbum Dei World Youth Encounter in Aveiro, PortugalOutside Loures Parish Center during Rise Up catechesis Encounters

At ‘City of Joy’ vocational fair in Lisbon, Portugal

City tour in Aveiro,Portugal

Verbum Dei World Youth Encounter in Aveiro, Portugal

Music Night Festival at Loures Park, Lisbon

Outside Loures Parish Center during Rise Up catechesis Encounters