"It is a great pride to receive the two symbols in my city": Porto Regional Center welcomes WYD 2023 symbols

Joy and expectation were the feelings of the many young people waiting at Cais do Ouro (the waterfront at Foz do Porto) as they waited for the arrival of the symbols of World Youth Day (WYD) 2023. The Pilgrim Cross and the icon of Our Lady crossed the Douro River from Afurada (in Vila Nova de Gaia) towards the hundreds of people who were waiting enthusiastically on the other side of the river. The pilgrimage would end on the campus of the Porto Regional Centre of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

In the months leading up to WYD, the symbols go on pilgrimage to announce the Gospel and accompany young people, in a special way, in the realities in which they live. The journey of the symbols to the Catholic University campus was made by dozens of young people, university students and students from colleges and schools in Porto.

Among them was Rodrigo Müaze, student at the Porto Regional Centre, who confesses that it was an opportunity not to be missed: "It is a great pride to be able to receive these two symbols in my city and, at the same time, share the Christian faith with other young people from all over the world here in Portugal

In the same group of students, we heard from Sofia Sá Couto. She is a student at the Universidade Católica and expressed that this moment meant a lot to her: "Our goal was to move as many people as possible to the Days that are coming and finally Portugal will be represented." Optimistic about the school community's adherence to this initiative, the student mentioned that "it was emotional the way different people, at different times, carried the symbols. It was a very important moment."

The pilgrimage was welcomed at the University campus by Father José Azevedo, chaplain of the Porto Regional Centre, along with Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of the Universidade Católica, directors of the Faculties, faculty, collaborators, and students.

For two hours, between traveling by boat and on foot, the journey of the symbols of WYD 2023 to the campus of the Catholic University in Porto was a moment of great relief and emotion for all who participated. A moment of prayer was held at the University.

World Youth Day will take place in Lisbon from August 1 to 6, 2023.