World Youth Day Is an Opportunity for all youths to build Affinity and Great Accord, Says the National Youth Chaplain.

Alinaitwe Victor

Catholic youths in Uganda are gearing up for the World Youth Day celebrations set to take place in Lisbon, Portugal in August 2023. According to sources, the preparations began with the registration of members, particularly young people who are willing to attend the event, which promises to draw participants from different countries around the world.

Fr. Benedict Mugerwa, the Uganda National Youth Chaplain, in an interview with Amecea revealed that 67 participants and 16 volunteers have already registered, and more youths from other dioceses continue to express interest in attending.

“The youths and other animators who work with young people and chaplains will be part of the World Youth Day celebrations in Lisbon, Portugal,” Fr. Mugerwa said.

The National Youth Chaplain emphasized that the 2023 World Youth Day will offer a unique opportunity for young people to build strong bonds with their peers from other continents. He also added that for the first time, volunteers from Uganda will help in the preparations and participation to ensure the success of the event.

The World Youth Day celebrations will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from August 1st to August 6th, 2023, and the theme of the event is “Mary arose and went with haste,” which is taken from the Gospel according to St. Luke 1:39.

Reflecting on the theme, Fr. Mugerwa noted that the story of Mary’s Visitation to her Cousin Elizabeth is a symbol of love and concern for each other, particularly those with whom we share our lives, relationships, and residence, and communities at large.

He encouraged young people to develop a culture of saving and avoid wasting their earnings on unconstructive matters that might hinder their participation and service to their communities and the church.

The previous World Youth Day celebration was hosted in Panama, Central America, just before the Covid-19 pandemic.