World Youth Day Festival Deir Rafat - Lisbon

On Thursday, July 13th the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Deir Rafat was full of young people. Those who for various reasons will not be able to go to Portugal for the World Youth Day celebrated their own festival.

Addressing young people in particular, and challenging them to be courageous missionaries, the following was written by the Pope in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: « Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us everywhere. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some » (CV 177).

St. James Vicariate organized a day of prayers, meetings, games, songs and worship for young people. The participants were from SJV youth. but also, young people from Mi'ilya, Shfar'am, Jish and Nazareth.

The day started with registrations, distribution of kits (with t-shirt, cups, booklets, water and snack) and welcoming of groups.

During the meeting with the Patriarch who on big stage spoke about the role of the youth in the Church ("You are not the future of the Church, but its presence") there was a possibility to ask questions.

The Eucharist in Hebrew language was a new experience for the young Israeli Arabs, but the texts showed on a big screen helped to participate in the celebration.

"Only the youth is able to meet in the land and the Church that is so divided" said the Patriarch during his homily. He encouraged the organizers: "It is extremely difficult but continue what you started".

The main topic of the homily were the words chosen as the theme for the World Youth Day in Lisbon" «Mary arose and went with haste» (Lk 1:39). It is the bible quote chosen by Pope Francis as the motto of the World Youth Day that will be held for the first time in the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal. The biblical phrase (a quote from the Gospel of St. Luke) opens the account of the Visitation (Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth), a biblical episode following the Annunciation. In the biblical episode of the Visitation, the action of standing up presents Mary as both a woman of charity and a missionary woman. Leaving in haste represents the attitude depicted in Pope Francis’ indications for WYD Lisbon 2023: «may young people’s evangelization be active and missionary, for this is how they will recognize and witness the presence of the living Christ».

During their conversation of the Annunciation, the angel also tells Mary that her older cousin, thought to be sterile, is pregnant. After affirming to the angel” Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38), it is then that Mary sets out for Ain Karim, a village near Jerusalem where Elizabeth lived and was awaiting the birth of John, who would become Saint John the Baptist.

Mary of Nazareth is the great figure of the Christian journey. She teaches us to say yes to God. She was the protagonist of the last edition of WYD and will be so once again in Lisbon.

The Patriarch addressed the youth saying: "You are the ones who are able to go out of the comfort zone in order to share the Good News with the others".

After the Eucharist the youth group of Shfar'am presented a pantomime about the challenges of the modern world and the healing power of Jesus.

Common lunch, discussion in groups about the place fir the youth in the modern Church and games (even dancing) were not easy because of the high temperature, but young people found energy until the dinner (delicious hamburgers).

The Talent Show revealed a lot of potential and the through the songs, dances and acrobatic exercises the young people created a spectacular show.

The culmination point of the day was the Prayer Stations in the Church, during which young people could pray in Adoration, write the prayers, ask the prayer of others and receive special blessing or go to confession.

Finally, the great worship concert prepared by the SJV youth with songs in English, Hebrew and Arabic finished the festival.

Fr. Piotr in his night blessing said that this day is an example that "God wants us to dream and fulfills those dreams about unity and common prayer".

Many thanks to all who helped to organize the Youth Festival, the volunteers, the participants and to Aid to the Church in Need for the financial support.

Photos: Andrea Krogmann KNA