We are so proud of our MCHF pilgrims who responded with faith to the invitation of Pope Francis, and joined millions of other young Catholics for World Youth Day in Lisbon in August 2023. The experience was filled with many amazing experiences, some of which are captured in these photos. We give praise and thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings. To Him be glory forever! Amen.

THE NEXT WORLD YOUTH DAY WILL BE IN SOUTH KOREA, IN 2027​

Dear young people,

It is with immense joy that I invite you all to participate in the 36th World Youth Day in Lisbon – Portugal, from 1 to 6 August 2023.

With Mary, let us rise and leave in haste to share our faith with the world. As Jesus was for His Holy Mother, the Gospel is such a great treasure to us that we cannot keep it to ourselves. We must share it with the world.

​Through these days, Pope Francis is inviting young people from all over the world to heed the example of Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, and become servants of the joy of His gospel and bearers of hope to the world.

I pray for you and every pilgrim heading to Lisbon to live a unique experience with other young Catholics from all over the world.

 

+ Antoine-Charbel Tarabay

Maronite Bishop of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania

Traveling to Portugal next year will be a wonderful encounter with Jesus through the universal Church as pilgrims meet Pope Francis and millions of faith-filled young people from around the world. MCHF has chosen the words ‘Trust in God’ as our group WYD theme and St Mary of the Cross [MacKillop] as our patron saint.

St Teresa of Calcutta and St Pope John Paul II, patron saints of youth, pray for us!