Experience of World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023 - Sister Annie

What experiences I can share with you all on the World Youth Day. There is so much but seeing all these young people from all over the world gathered together and knowing that the churches are increasingly deserted? 

I thank the congregation for giving me this opportunity. I've tried to make the most of it. This is the second time I've taken part in World Youth Day; the first time was in Krakow in Poland in 2016, but the experiences are different. In these experiences, I've always felt the universality of the Church and the presence of Jesus in the midst of thousands of young people from all over the world. As if I was still in the time of Jesus' earthly life: many people were following him, seeking him out. I felt this strongly during the Way of the Cross, adoration and the closing Mass.I had an incredible time: an experience of authentic fraternity, simplicity, without language barriers. Such experiences of joy in the encounter with God and with the young people, sharing the same faith. I experienced the Gospel through the different people that I met. It is a hope for young people, for the Church and for our world.

In these few days with the young people, I have realised the importance of World Youth Day in the life of the Church. It's a very important event for young people today and for the whole Church, because of the sharing and exchange of faith between them. Listening to these young people, especially during the "vocations café" and during my testimony of religious life, I realise their need, their thirst: their thirst for God, for spiritual life. But they also need us, the religious, the priests to guide them, to show them a path to God. During World Youth Day, they often asked me about my vocation and my Christian faith. I would like to invite you all to help the young people more and to love them more, and help young people more, because they are the future of our Church.  At the closing Mass, Pope Francis addressed the young people, but I believe he is also addressing all of us and the whole Church, saying: "Go and bear witness to the joy of faith, of the hope that warms your heart, of the love that you put into everything. Shine with the light of Christ. Listen to him to become the light of the world too. And don't be afraid, because the Lord loves you and walks beside you and within you. With him, life is always reborn. These words should encourage us and shake us up.

Sr Annie RASOAMIHETY (General House in Paris)