Pilgrim Blog 32 - Returning After the Closing Mass

It is traditional that the location of the next WYD is announced at the end of the Mass with the Pope at the Vigil location.
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And the next World Youth Day is…

Pope Francis announcing the next WYD location ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023

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…in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. Not earlier because there will be a Jubilee Year gathering of young people in Rome during 2025. So much for my mother’s hopes of an English-speaking, southern-hemisphere location like New Zealand or even Melbourne. But at least the time difference from Seoul to Sydney is only an hour.

Catching a breather under the concrete arches of Oriente Station, Lisbon, Portugal ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023

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These concrete arches are part of the transport hub of Oriente Station (buses specifically, in the photo above), which providentially was within walking distance south of the Vigil site – and even more providentially took us back to within walking distance of our hotel. The transport hub at Oriente Station has taxis, buses, metro, local trains and regional trains. Because it was crowded, we had to wait to get in.

Portuguese McDonald's M&M McFlurry ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023

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On a very hot day, do pilgrims take their gear and sleeping bags to the hotel first? Not if a McDonald's is on your route. Ice cream first!!

Portuguese McDonald's Chicken Burger meal ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023

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Then after all the bagels for the meals of the previous 24 hours, comfort food was in order. This is what a burger meal from Lisbon, Portugal looks like. Compared to the burger buns we get at home, this bun was nicer.
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Only then, after having cooled down and refuelled, did we head for our hotel rooms – for showers and to try and catch some sleep after not getting much the night before at the Vigil site.

Deconstruction has already begun ~ Vincent Cavanagh ©2023

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The huge stage at Edward VII Park is now under deconstruction, and that’s sad to see because it is a visible sign that World Youth Day Lisbon is over. Despite the crowds, despite the heat, despite all the other inconveniences, it was still a taste of what Heaven’s joy and peaceful unity in diversity will be like.

The lyrics from the WYD Sydney theme song continue to hold true:
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“Every nation, every tribe, come together to worship You.
In Your presence we delight, we will follow to the ends of the earth.”


Vincent Cavanagh   #bbwyd
#wydlisbon   #wyd2023   #lisboa2023
6 Aug 2023, 1.04pm Portugal | 6 Aug 2023, 10.04pm Sydney

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