Most World Youth Day pilgrims will say the highlight of the international event is closing Mass with the pope on Sunday morning. St. John Paul II began the tradition in 1985. It has been continued by Pope Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis. “The closing Mass was great,” said Sarah Leahy, youth minister for Our […]
Father Michael Johnson, currently parochial vicar of Family #29 in the Southtowns/Lakeshore area, served as chaplain for the Buffalo crew at World Youth Day in Lisbon. While others toured the capital of Portugal, Father Johnson offered to hear confessions at Reconciliation Park. He spoke with Aussies, New Zealanders, Brits, Scots, as well as people from […]
World Youth Day pilgrims have returned home full of joy after having Mass with Pope Francis and walking to grounds where the Fatima visionaries once roamed. World Youth Day is an international event that gathers Catholics for Mass, catechesis, and reconciliation. From Aug. 1-6 an estimated 1.5 million Catholics gathered in Lisbon, Portugal to hear […]
Pope Francis delivered three key verbs in his closing homily at World youth Day on the morning of Aug. 6. “Shine, listen, do not fear,” he said to the estimated 1.5 million people who attended the international festival in Lisbon, Portugal. The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus’ face shining like the sun as he was […]
LISBON, Portugal — Pope Francis wrapped up his World Youth Day visit with one word, rendered in Portuguese as “obrigado,” thank you – literally, “I am obliged.” The Holy Father closed the international celebration at a Mass celebrated with an estimated 1.5 million pilgrims earlier this morning, but before leaving Portugal, his last public address […]
As local pilgrims boarded a plane for Lisbon, Portugal, to participate in World Youth Day 2023, others gathered at OLV Basilica & National Shrine for a domestic version of the international Catholic faith event. “World Youth Day is something that connects people internationally unlike any other event, so we wanted to have just a little […]
LACKAWANNA — Traditions, community and celebrations marked Father Baker Day at OLV National Shrine & Basilica on July 30. Msgr. David LiPuma, pastor and rector, joined by 1,000 guests celebrated the annual Father Baker Day Mass at noon. At the end of the service, a commemorative wreath was placed at Father Baker’s tomb in the […]
As young people from all over the world gather in Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day, Lackawanna will host its own domestic celebration. Coinciding with Father Baker Day, OLV National Shrine & Basilica will host a day of prayer, socializing and recreation on July 30, from 2:30-10 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Joe Heschmeyer, a […]
LISBON, Portugal — More than 600,000 people have started the registration process. Nearly 3 million lunches and dinners have been ordered. Ten thousand priestly vestments are being made. And at least 7,000 host families have volunteered to open their homes to pilgrims. These are among the latest statistics released by organizers of World Youth Day, […]
World Youth Day will take place Aug 1-6 in Lisbon, Portugal. For one week, young people from all over the world gather for prayer, socializing and recreation. Those not headed to Portugal can still enjoy some WYD fun at OLV National Shrine & Basilica for a domestic World Youth Day party. Mass, confessions, food trucks, […]
