Lisbon: Just weeks away from the World Youth Summit, the famous ‘WYD’ cross and the icon image of the Mother of God have arrived in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The two icons of the World Youth Congress are the icon image of ‘Our Lady Salus Populi Romani’ and the large cross made of wood. The icons in question were handed over to the youth by St. John Paul II to travel around the world.
Organizers gave the icon image and the cross an unforgettable welcome during the Mass at the monastery of Alcobaca, presided over by the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente. Cardinal Manuel Clemente stated that Lisbon will be the last stop of the cross and the Marian icon, which will travel through 18 parishes in 22 municipalities until July 23.
In the months leading up to the World Youth Congress, it is customary for two icons to make pilgrimages to all dioceses in the host country. The purpose of this mission is to become heralds of the gospel and to provide opportunities for young people to follow the gospel through the realities they live. They were received by the Portuguese youth from the representative of Panama, the host of the 2019 Youth Summit, during the Holy Mass offered on the Feast of Christ’s Kingship in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on November 22, 2020.
This 3.8 meter high cross was built for the holy year of 1983. On Passion Sunday of the same year, Saint John Paul II commissioned young people to carry it around the world. Later in 2000, the image of the Mother of God was presented as a symbol of the Marian presence with the youth. Since then, the 1.20 meter high and 80 cm wide painting has become a part of the pilgrimage.
Cardinal Clemente wished that the journey of these symbols through our lands would be an opportunity to welcome the signs and to believe in the God who does not abandon us, the Risen Christ. After Mass, the cardinal joined the youth to carry the cross through the streets of Alcobaça.
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2023-07-04 11:02:38
