Fratello at the World Youth Day in Lisbon: Travel diary of the Pilgrim Madonna of Fratello
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 7 — August 5, 2023
Definitely, Lisbon is not made for wheelchairs! Between cobblestones, climbs in all directions and high steps of the sidewalks, Julien skilfully handles the mounts of these ladies, in the crowd of young people who are pilgriming to the “Campo da Graça” (Camp of Grace), where the vigil with the Pope will take place. Finally, the vehicles prove to be precious tools to pave the way in the hustle and bustle: the Fratello group places them in the lead in order to move faster. It must be said that the ambient 35 degrees, whose warmth I can feel in my dedicated backpack, make this walk of several hours seem like an exodus.
In addition to the reunion with the Holy Father, my flock is motivated by a particular mission: to obtain his blessing for my statue. While this one was being made, Fratello sent a letter to Pope Francis, to introduce me and ask him to bless me during World Youth Day. And guess what? He answered with his hand that he would! My children are delighted that the 10 VIP seats — the closest to the Pope — that are offered to them allow them to fulfill this desire. Touched by their zeal, I am giving them an extra boost: 10 more seats are available! In a profound moment of meditation, they decided to invoke the Holy Spirit to show them who among them should go. Peacefully, some hands rise in turn, while some point to others.
I would like to point out that the VIP seats were given for the Fratelli, thanks to which the other jmjists were able to spend the vigil as close as possible to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Pope. So, if you still don't believe that the poor, my dear children, are bringing you closer to Christ at the speed of light, here is the concrete proof!
But let's get back to our VIP delegation. On the right side of the scene, she makes plans to make me visible, investigating the itinerary of the papamobile, while the rest of the group, placed among the pilgrims, supports them with prayer. Under a glowing sky, the moment of grace finally arrives: the Holy Father approaches quickly, greeting the crowd. Perched on Dove's head, I lean over Cindy, strategically placed in front with her wheelchair. Around me, the pink caps are chanting: “Fra-te-llo! Fra-te-llo! Fra-te-llo! ”, slamming their flag in the sea wind. It was then that the Holy Father's eyes met mine. He smiles and blesses me! My children are exulting, not believing their eyes!
This is only the beginning of their celebrations, which continue with the Pope's speech. In particular, he reminds them that “we have roots of joy from others” for which it is good to get used to giving thanks. But how do you become these roots of joy? By learning the “art of walking” with... myself! Training patiently to walk together is the program he offers to my children. “In life, nothing is free, but the Love of Jesus is free”: this is why before my Son who offers himself, so vulnerable, in the Host of the Blessed Sacrament, this is why, in the Host of the Blessed Sacrament, bishops and young pilgrims, Cardinals and Fratelli, kneel together in absolute silence.
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 6 — 4 August 2023
Typical day for my DJs in Lisbon today: conferences of all kinds, mass with other dioceses, cultural visits... and traditional queues to pick up meals!
But Fratello did not abandon its uniqueness for long: the group introduced other young people to the small path of Love by leading a vigil around the relics of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Two original approaches are proposed to get a first-hand look at the Communion of Saints: write a letter to Saint Teresa — which will be sent back to its editor in a year — and wash your neighbor's feet, like Jesus did with his disciples. In the warmth of the small church, various fraternal relationships are woven or strengthened before my tender eyes. Thus, Diane becomes Cindy's scribe. It was therefore quite natural that the other offered to help him formulate his letter, bringing the souls of the two young women on the path to holiness closer together in the time of writing.
In the small church of Saint-Louis-des-Français in Lisbon, my militant Church and my triumphant Church respond to each other.
Teresa's Eve organized by Fratello in Saint-Louis-des-Français in Lisbon
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 5 — August 3, 2023
I am delighted to see my pilgrims live their day under the seal of friendship. In the morning, the catechesis animated by the Bishop of Soissons enlightens them on the meaning of social dialogue, in the light of the encyclical Fratelli Tutti by Pope Francis. It is the perfect opportunity to involve one of our own Fratelli. Ludo, who has been living in a shared apartment for some time after months of hardship, offers his testimony to the 400 young people gathered in front of him. He explains to them how he gradually got back on his feet, guided by the love and presence of his roommates.
All these small people then attend mass, before my flock sets off to attack Lisbon where conferences, concerts and shows of all kinds await. It is in the evening that friendship comes back to the forefront, this time in practice. A major banquet organized by Fratello in partnership with the French Bishops' Conference brings together guests from all walks of life, both social and geographical. Congolese people settled next to pilgrims from Panama, and very quickly, the conversations went well. But the songs of adoration are already resounding in the neighboring church, where a magnificent Mercy Vigil gathers all our guests around my Son. Eucharistic adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation end this day by renewing our friendship with God.
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 4 — August 2, 2023
Look! My children are all in awe! Blinking their eyes, they arrive at the main central square of my sanctuary in Fatima, as if their eyes were not yet ready to receive the light of my message.
Between topo and theatrical and sporting activities, everyone goes about their own business for me. William takes the path of the Rosary with others: they go to The Chapel of the Apparitions walking on their knees, as they recite the rosary, up to my statue. With a radiant smile, he says he is touched by the fact that many pilgrims complete this process.
Mass is said by Father Richard in a chapel that looked like a catacombs, with no decorations other than a large golden cross. It is quickly decorated by the songs of the group, accompanied by Agnès on the flute.
In the evening, several pilgrims share their Fratello experience. One of them realizes that the Fratellis are reminding her that she does not have to “save the world”, since she is given to simply live all these moments with them. For Jeanne, it is the Fratellis who evangelize her, through their ability to name their weakness so simply and to live with it without taking into account appearances. Astrid points out that paying attention to the more obvious weaknesses of some people enriches us, because this particular attention spreads throughout the group.
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 3 — August 1, 2023
Now my pilgrims are multiplying their discoveries. I see them waking up this morning in Spain at the seminary in Palencia where they spend a few hours before heading back to Portugal. It was already quite an adventure when, like some of our Fratelli, we never left France!
Preparing for the mass with the rest of her team is another plunge into the unknown for Doris, who came to accompany her daughter Cindy to Lisbon. Doris had never been associated in this way with the choice of songs for a Eucharistic celebration. “I am a regular at Mass, but organizing it is something else! ” Despite her anxieties at the idea of speaking in public, she agreed to announce the Mass hymns page to the entire audience gathered in the chapel. “I am proud! She then confides, “and happy to have overcome my anxiety, and to have been part of a group that had to prepare mass.”
Arriving in Fatima at the end of the day is an opportunity for new cultural and spiritual discoveries. The SPI team exposes the Marian message during his appearances to the three shepherds, while Father Richard traces the history of Portugal from its foundation to the present day. The vigil reveals the artistic talents of many of my pilgrims, who cheerfully embody Lucia, Jacinthe and Francis, to better give life to the message of Fatima, whose sanctuary we will explore the following day.
I am happy to see that my pilgrims all have a great thirst to discover God and his desires.
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 2 — July 31, 2023
How happy I am! My motherly heart is delighted to see that in just one day, my fifty so different children already feel united by a very fraternal bond. Camille, for example, is touched by “the particularly warm welcome from everyone, from everyone, as if we all already knew each other and were part of the same family.” For her, it “reflects the love of Christ for each of us.” Claire, who came alone through a Facebook group where the World Youth Day initiative with Fratello was broadcast, is amazed at her fellow travelers, who are very open to encounters and far from forming intimidating groups. Even Anne, who joined us a day after the departure, did not feel out of step with the group: “there were a lot of people who didn't know each other and that reassured me.”
Multiple talents also form a happy cocktail, which infuses constant joy into the group. While an overwhelming heat greets us on the Spanish highway, Héloïse brandished her guitar and pulled a few — whose number was rapidly growing — into French-variety songs. In the evening, Jacinthe offers us a hip hop demonstration that starts the evening, animated by the Swiss who show us their countries and their magic tricks to celebrate their national day.
Is it the moments of prayer that solder them that way? Some feel carried by the daily Mass which makes them commune with the same Christ and with the whole Church, through my intercession. This morning in fact, four centuries of particularly Marian Basque piety precede them in the church of Saint-Laurent in Cambo-les-Bains, dating from the 17th century. In the richly decorated Baroque choir, where walls painted in shades of blue and purple surprisingly take precedence over gilding, Father Richard does not fail to remind them of the proximity of Saint Ignatius of Loyola that we are celebrating today. The founder of the Jesuits is a native of the Spanish Basque Country, a region that seems to ignore the Pyrenean border. Under my tender gaze, the Jmjists of Fratello sing hymns to my Son with all their heart, as well as during the morning and evening prayers and other blessings that punctuate the different moments of the day, to the delight of some.
However, this is not the opinion of Nikolai who believes that prayer times are “a bit too much”, because he “is not used to it”. Less clear-headed, his Swiss friends claim to “listen” to prayers they don't know. For their part, they prefer not to participate in mass, because the church reminds them of too painful memories.
The fact remains that the cohort of fuchsia pink caps, gathered in the silence of the night, simply shout at my feet a lot of thanks for this day.
Fratello at World Youth Day: Day 1 — July 30, 2023
We are off! From the top of my perch, I contemplate the improbable group that is about to take the road to Lisbon. I am the statue of the Virgin Mary by Fratello. Inspired by Notre-Dame des Pauvres de l'Aubrac, I was sculpted and then molded in white plaster and resin for the occasion. As a pilgrim virgin, I accompany the Fratello group, placed in front of the assembly during prayer times or housed in a bag in my favorite color during the trips. The two editors had fun giving me the floor during this week. They came from all over France (and even beyond! I see a few Swiss people who pass through the gate) to follow me to Portugal to meet Pope Francis. Some got involved in the project months ago (they are the amigos, our nice organizers), others decided a few days ago, or even a few hours ago.
Pilgrim Madonna of Fratello
Before getting on the bus that will first take them to the Basque Country, they get to know each other, beyond social differences and the diversity of faith journeys.
I accompany them to the Parisian chapel that welcomes us until we leave. We attend Mass all together, carried by the joyful beauty of the instruments, and are thus sent on a mission by Father Richard, who will accompany us to Lisbon.
His Portuguese mother made him an ideal guide for the adventure that was beginning.
Once on the road, they chat a little before looking, sometimes in vain, for sleep, during the breaks that already allow them to meet other groups of young people who are heading to Portugal.
Preamble/Opening the doors of the Church: Fratello aux J
Created in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day (WYD) periodically brings together young people from around the world around the Holy Father. For a few days, it is an opportunity to meet Catholics from very different cultures and to deepen one's faith around a spiritual theme set by the Supreme Pontiff. After the 2019 edition, which took place in Panama, World Youth Day 2023 will be held in Lisbon, from July 30 to August 7. Young people will meditate on this passage from the Gospel: “Mary got up and left in haste” (Luke 1:39).)
Fratello will take a delegation of around fifty young people to Portugal. Responsible for material and spiritual organization, twenty of them will have the privilege of serving other young people in precarious situations. They will be accompanied by 5 referents from their association. We will all be pilgriming for a week under the leadership of a chaplain, Father Richard Escudier. This initiative thus responds to the double message of Pope Francis, who regularly invites the Church to refocus on marginalized people, while encouraging missionary impulses. Proposing to young people who are far from the Church and disadvantaged by life to join World Youth Day in an association makes it possible to announce the message of Christ to those whose material needs are too often privileged at the expense of their spiritual quest. The associations that join Fratello for World Youth Day are diverse, bringing together people who have lived on the streets as well as people with disabilities: Francois' Village, The Association for Friendship (APA)), Lazare, a Group from the Canton of Vaud. Every day, we will experience times of prayer and service together, in order to lead a community life rooted in Christ.
Our group will leave Paris by bus on July 30 and will make various stages on the way to Portugal. In particular, we will stop at Fatima, a Marian shrine where we will meditate on the message of the apparitions transmitted by the Virgin Mary. Once we arrive in Lisbon, we will share several highlights that will be an opportunity to meet other young people from all over the world. On Thursday morning, we will co-lead a catechesis with Cort and Passy on the theme of social friendship, which will include teaching, moments of sharing and time for personal prayer. Then we will have the joy of participating in the ceremony to welcome the Pope in Lisbon on Thursday evening. Then, in partnership with Les Jeunes Pros, we will invite several associations of people in precarious situations to a banquet of fraternal friendship. On Friday afternoon, we will have a Fratello prayer time around the relics of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. Finally, we will meet on Saturday with 2 million young people for the final rally where we will experience a great prayer vigil with the Pope until the closing mass of WYD 2023 on Sunday morning!
Fratello will thus allow young people from all walks of life to share, with so many others, unforgettable moments, centered on the message of Christ and the ecclesial community.
We can't wait to tell you about our adventures!
