The World Youth Day (WYD) is the biggest young people world gathering. It is organized by the Holy See, via the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, together with a Local Organizing Committee. In 2023, this organization is made with the Patriarchate of Lisbon. WYD is a celebration of youth, open to all boys and girls between 14 and 35 years old, who are invited to a week of catechesis, concerts and other cultural activities, prayers and finally a meeting with the Pope. Although its Catholic identity is clearly evident, WYD opens its doors to everyone, no matter how close to or distant from the Church they are. In fact, everyone is welcome to experience him/herself as member of the one great unique human family. You can learn more at lisboa2023.org/en/.
This edition has the theme «Mary arose and went with haste» (Lk 1:39). Following the annunciation, the young Mary felt inspired and motivated to rise up and to go to her relative, Elisabeth. The youth is “the Now of God”, as Pope Francis says. Today’s youth is also inspired to serve his neighbor and to live the meaning of universal friendship.
This is also the dream that scouting lives and helps to become real for more than 100 years. Therefore, all scouts are invited to participate and engage with different activities and proposals. A good scout presence in such a universal event enriches the programme, helps our boy scouts and girl guides to do the experience of the universal Church and enhances the joy of creating a better world with other youngsters.
We invite all scout groups and individuals (14-35 years old, except if your national episcopal conference decides otherwise) to register with their parish groups and with other young people of the same nationality. Both the WYD, from the 1st to the 6th august, and the Days in the Dioceses (taking place in all Portuguese Dioceses) between the 26th and the 31th July are full of very rich opportunities of encounter between young people from different nationalities. ICCS aim is that scouts participate fully in these opportunities.
In addition to the full programme, which details can be seen in the image above, ICCS aims to organize a group of proposals for member associations, such as:
- WYD Scout Camp
Following a tradition of previous WYD editions, one or more places to host a scout camp are being planned. They will be close to where the central moments take place. The camp is programmed to host scouts since the 29th July and up to the 6th August.
- Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fátima
Jointly with the National Shire of Fátima, catholic scouts will be taking by foot the image of Our Lady from Fátima to Lisbon, from the 28th July to the 1st august. The initiative will be open to all pilgrims who want to join. This pilgrimage will leave a mark on WYD of how the scout method is a concrete way of living and deepening the experience of faith.
- Youth festival
All scout associations, as well as other movements, will have the opportunity to apply with cultural and religious proposals to take place during the WYD week. In partnership with Corpo Nacional de Escutas – Portuguese Catholic Scouts (CNE), ICCS will send a proposal of activities open to all WYD pilgrims. ICCS will also apply for the organization of a great celebration.
- Great scout celebration
A liturgical moment and prayer time to get together all participating scouts, as well as all those who want to join. Probably it will take place in the 2nd august afternoon. A special place will be prepared for this in order to accommodate a great number of participants. It will be a moment to celebrate our faith and the joy of being brothers in scouting. It will also be an important step of CNE centenary celebration.
- Volunteering
ICCS committees strongly depend on volunteers’ engagement. All member associations may send their contributions and staff to help organizing the proposals mentioned. The volunteer profile is broad, with a specific focus on logistics, educational proposals (both for the scout camp and youth festival), media and communication. Volunteers may start working according to their availability from now on.
The local organizing committee is also interested in receiving long-term and short-term volunteers to several tasks. More information may be found at https://www.lisboa2023.org/en/lisbon2023/frequently-asked-questions.
For any kind of volunteer engagement, we kindly ask to contact us.
We are now 10 months away from the main days. Therefore, a permanent update of this information will be prepared and widespread periodically.
Scout participation in WYD is being articulated with the WYD Lisbon Local Organizing Committee by Corpo Nacional de Escutas. For all questions and suggestions please contact jmj@escutismo.pt.
