Faith, Community, and Humility: My World Youth Day Experience in Portugal
By Ally Rusli – October 9, 2023
This past summer, I embarked on an unforgettable two-week pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day with just a duffel bag and a backpack. Led by the Brothers and Sisters of the Community of Saint John (CSJ), a group of us from Seton Hall University and other surrounding schools discovered the true essence of faith, community, and humility. While this trip will be difficult to summarize in just a few paragraphs, I will try my best to relay to you my main takeaways.
From the beginning, I found myself immersed in a vibrant faith community with both familiar faces as well as new ones. We quickly bonded over moments of reflection as we navigated through the challenges of leaving behind our usual comforts. Hot showers and cozy beds were replaced by the humility of communal living, where even privacy became a rare luxury. Although I had told myself over and over since before the trip began that I would be on “survival mode,” it did not make the adjustment any easier. The lack of privacy and the constant uncertainty of what would come next were difficult to get used to. On top of the emotionally draining encounters, the trek was also oftentimes physically demanding.
“I found myself immersed in a vibrant faith community with both familiar faces as well as new ones. … To see other Catholics from all different cultures and backgrounds come together under the banner of our Catholic faith was an important reminder that our faith transcends all borders.”
Yet, through all of these challenges and anxieties, we were constantly reminded of God’s abundant love and graces. In moments when it felt especially hard to keep going, all I had to do was look around and see the millions of other youth who were experiencing the same struggles and the same joys. Despite any culture or language barrier, we all shared a deeper connection rooted in our love for Jesus, and forged through our shared sacrifices and unwavering faith. To see other Catholics from all different cultures and backgrounds come together under the banner of our Catholic faith was an important reminder that our faith transcends all borders and connects us on a profound level.
One of the highlights of this trip was getting to hear the wise words of Pope Francis himself. He reflected on the importance of being unafraid to change the world, especially as young people who will shape the future through the way we are indoctrinated today. He sent us along with the message that Jesus loves us and has a special plan for each and every one of us. Also, seeing him pass by in his Pope mobile right before my very eyes was a surreal moment that I will never forget; we all stood united in awe and deep reverence for God’s devoted servant.
My World Youth Day experience in Portugal certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to embrace discomfort for the sake of a greater purpose: uniting myself with Jesus and sharing in His sacrifice. This pilgrimage both challenged and inspired me while reinforcing the power of faith and community. I left Lisbon with a heart full of gratitude for the people I met, the joys I experienced, and even for the struggles I faced.
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