Article by Phoenix writer Justin McKenzie ’24:
Over the summer, 40 students from the Kellenberg and Chaminade Classes of 2024 took a 10 day pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day. World Youth Day is an opportunity for young people to see the Pope and participate in activities with other Catholics from around the world.
On August 6, over 1 million people gathered in Lisbon’s Tejo Park for the 2023 World Youth Day Mass held by Pope Francis. Although World Youth Day is promoted by the Catholic Church, all young people are welcome to take part in the event regardless of their religion.
Pope John Paul II started World Youth Day in 1985, and the tradition has been carried on every few years in the summer ever since.
The students toured Lisbon, visited historical sites and got to explore Portuguese food and culture. Quinn O’Grady enjoyed joking and bonding with his friends and meeting another group of young people from Spain. “World Youth Day was a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget,” Quinn said.
Kenneth Kaywood ‘24 said, “It was a moving experience seeing Pope Francis in person.” Kenny enjoyed seeing the ornate churches and the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
Mrs. Frisina, Ms. Vigario, Father Daniel Griffin, Mr. Von Elm, and Brother Timothy Driscoll accompanied the students on their pilgrimage and on the seven hour journey there and back.
World Youth Day had a profound influence on all those who traveled to Portugal and was a great experience for all who went.
