The World Youth Day Lisbon 2023, whose theme revolves around the biblical quote «Mary arose and went with haste» (Lk 1:39) will be marked by several Marian references and symbols, some of them visibly connected with the Apparitions of Fatima. The presence of the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the closing Mass with Pope Francis, in Lisbon, just confirms this.
At the request of the local organizing Committee of WYD Lisbon 2023, the statue of Our Lady venerated in the Chapel of the Apparitions, in the Shrine of Fatima, will be on the altar of the farewell Mass, presided over by the Holy Father, on Sunday morning, August 6th, in Lisbon. This is the 13th time the Statue of Our Lady makes a pilgrimage outside her chapel in Fatima. The day before, Pope Francis will pray to Our Lady of Fatima, in her Shrine, with the pilgrims, for peace in Ukraine and in the world.
The World Apostolate of Fatima is also participating in the dynamics and program of the World Youth Day. First, through the groups of young people associated with our Apostolate who are travelling for the event, from different countries. Secondly, also through the Secretariat’s welcoming to the many pilgrims visiting Fatima on such days.
Besides this, the World Apostolate of Fatima, through its Secretariat, will have a Fatima booth at the “WYD Vocational Fair”, in partnership with the Portuguese “Movimento da Mensagem de Fatima”. The purpose is to promote the message of Fatima and our organizations. There will be a permanent team of volunteers welcoming everyone passing by and offering information about Our Lady’s apparitions, by informal conversation but also through an Online Fatima Quiz.
