I chose to take a few minutes to myself to sit outside the Sanctuary in Fatima to journal my thoughts and experience thus far. I expected it to be a moment of quiet reflection and meditation, but I was surprised to find an enormous crowd of youth exiting the Church in chants and song. World Youth Day hadn’t officially begun yet, but the energy was high and spirits were lifted. The unity and excitement in the crowd of people from countries all around the world, gathered together in faith and love for our Lord, brought tears to my face. I knew exactly then that I was right where I needed to be. God called me to Lisbon to reinvigorate my spirit, and bring me closer to him. My heart is forever changed.

As I leave the “young adult” demographic, I can attest, that the Church is alive and well and World Youth Day confirms this. It astonished me, the silence a large gathering of young people can bring. At each of the Papal Events, people were singing, talking, celebrating, but when it was time for Mass or prayer, silence enveloped the entire crowd. Being involved in the local Church here in Hamilton, I sometimes forget the powerful impact the Catholic Church has on the world and the individual person. Attending World Youth Day validates within myself that the Church is alive and there is something powerful happening. At the commissioning Mass, Pope Francis left us with three tasks. Young people are to “shine brightly, listen and not to be afraid”. Pope Francis reminds me, that regardless of what God has planned for me, I need to shine, listen to those around me, and not be afraid. Although World Youth Day has come and gone, I know the Holy Spirit will be guiding me to experience the plans He has laid out for me.

World Youth Day was a wonderful experience. It was wonderful to experience the beautiful country and culture but the also the religious opportunities of the pilgrimage. To be surrounded by all of the people from different countries was a little overwhelming but a great experience. The music throughout the week in different languages in addition to English, helped me centre myself in prayer. Out of the entire pilgrimage, seeing the Pope was the best part. It was a little overwhelming to be that close to him and yet so far. Overall, it was a really powerful experience and I look forward to going to the next one in Korea 2027.

World Youth Day was amazing. I tried not to imagine what it would be like, but instead, I trusted that whatever God had in store for World Youth Day was going to be amazing and awesome. He did not disappoint. I loved seeing all the joyful and lively young people gathered in the same place to praise and adore God. I also enjoyed the Stations of the Cross, seeing the pope, the pilgrimage to the field where the missioning Mass would take place and the silence of 1.5 million people in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The moments I enjoyed the most were the ones that made me feel at home, the ones spent in the beautiful churches of Lisboa with new friends from Canada and from around the world.