Journey into the heart and soul of Portugal, to join Pope Francis for the 16th International World Youth Day in Lisbon, where young pilgrims from across the globe come together for a week of prayer, worship and celebration. Following the excitement of the WYD Week in Lisbon, we depart for the tranquillity and relaxation of our Post WYD Retreat in the Fatima area. We will spend the following days entering into a time of rest, recreation and retreat, as we unwind and process the amazing past days on pilgrimage and WYD experiences.
WYD Week Lisbon (8 Nights) • Post-WYD Retreat – Fatima area (3 Nights)
Lisbon overnight (D)
Lisbon overnight (BD)
Theme: “Mary arose and went with haste.” (Lk 1:39)
AM: MORNING WALKING TOUR OF LISBONThis morning we meet our guide and enjoy a walking tour of Lisbon city. From the scenic Garden of San Pedro de Alcantara – taking in sweeping views of the city, to its narrow streets of the picturesque Alfama district, bustling plazas, and along the riverfront – stopping in Lisbon’s most beautiful and historic churches all along the way.
PM: WYD OPENING CEREMONIES
AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.
AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.
PM: WELCOMING CEREMONIES FOR THE HOLY FATHER
AM: MORNING CATECHESISThere will be opportunities for Catechesis, Daily Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
PM: YOUTH FESTIVAL EVENTSFeaturing music, dance and dramatic performances from around the world in small and large stadiums and venues across the city.
PM: STATIONS OF THE CROSSThe focus tonight is on the moving Way of the Cross when we as young pilgrims will contemplate the reality of Christ’s passion and the call to true freedom.
Today will begin the mass mobilisation of pilgrims along set walking paths through the city as we converge on the site chosen for the historic WYD gathering here in Lisbon.
An afternoon of concerts, performances, and song will unfold as we await the arrival of the Holy Father. This begins the main event! Multitudes of young people together with the Pope – a summer evening of unforgettable atmosphere. The celebrations continue all night as we share in a global sleep-out under the stars.
WYD Vigil Site Sleepout (WYD BLD)
As the sun rises, we’ll share in Morning Prayer, breakfast and the climactic WYD Papal Mass with the youth of the world.
AM: MORNING MASS WITH THE HOLY FATHERThe Pope will concelebrate Mass with thousands of bishops and priests, addressing us and sending us out to the world to witness to our faith, as the Lord did with his Apostles. At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father will announce the place where the next international World Youth Day will be held.
PM: PILGRIMAGE WALK BACK TO LODGINGS
Today we farewell Lisbon for the tranquillity and relaxation of our Post WYD Retreat in the Fatima area. As we depart out of the city, see Europe’s longest suspension bridge and view the inspiring Statue of Christ the King pointing the way north to Fatima.
Enroute, we will visit the Holy Miracle Church of St Stephen at Santarem containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle.
Arriving at our post-WYD retreat lodgings, we will spend the following days entering into a time of rest, recreation and retreat, as we unwind and process the amazing past days on pilgrimage and WYD experiences.
Fatima area overnight (BD)
This morning we travel to Fatima, where in 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children as ‘a lady in white’. We will enjoy a tour of the Square (the largest square in Christendom) including the site of the Apparitions, Rosary Basilica with the Tombs of the visionaries, the Museum, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and other main sites.
Back at our lodgings this afternoon, we enter a time of retreat, prayer and recreation.
Fatima area overnight (BLD)
We travel back to Fatima this morning where we will walk and pray the Stations along the beautiful Way of the Cross (the Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary which overlooks all of Fatima. Continue to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance to three peasant children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Proceed on to the little village of Aljustrel to visit the homes where the children lived. Finally, we enter the original Parish church and see the Baptismal font where the children were baptised.
Back at our lodgings this afternoon, we enter a time of retreat, prayer and recreation.
Fatima area overnight (BLD)
Today we will be transferred to the airport for our homebound flight connections to Australia. (B)
MEAL CODES: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner
