SW News: The much-awaited World Youth Day Lisbon got underway on August 1 with a solemn Holy Mass in Lisbon. The Opening Mass at Parque Eduardo VII was offered by Cardinal Manuel Clemente, the Patriarch of Lisbon, who welcomed the multitudes of young believers to his city on behalf of Pope Francis and the Church in Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish and French. The Mass was concelebrated by several cardinals, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and prelates from several nations. Scores of priests in white albs and stoles were assembled around the altar to concelebrate the Mass. President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was also present during the Opening Mass.

Parque Eduardo VII was a sea of young believers with banners and flags of their respective nations and on a specially constructed pavilion, the altar was set up. Near the altar was a statue of Our Lady of the Visitation. One could also see the WYD Cross and the icon of Our Lady Salus Romani Populi, the twin symbols of WYD at the sanctuary. A spiritual fervor pervaded the atmosphere as thousands of young men and women from all corners of the globe fervently participated in the Holy Mass.

The Holy Mass was offered in Portuguese with certain chants and responses in Latin. The entrance procession began with the introductory hymn “Alegra-te O’ Jerusalem” (Rejoice O Jerusalem). Cardinal Clemente began Holy Mass with the incensing of the altar and the statue of Our Lady of the Visitation. While the Kyrie was chanted in Greek, the Gloria was sung in Latin.

It was followed by the Liturgy of the Word in which the first reading was from the Book of Zephaniah Chapter 3, Verses 14 to 18 in Italian from a young person from Luxembourg. The Responsorial Psalm was taken from Isaiah Chapter 12, verses 2 and 3 (“God is my Savior,

I have confidence and fear nothing.”) The second reading taken from Romans 12 was done by a young person from Senegal in French. The Gospel was from Luke Chapter 1 Verses 39 to 56. It was read out by a deacon in Portuguese. The passage was on the Visitation of St Elizabeth by the Blessed Virgin Mary. It reflects the theme of WYD Lisbon, which is “Mary Arose and Went in Haste”.

The homily of Cardinal Clemente was centered on the Gospel passage in which Our Lady goes in haste to visit her pregnant relative, St Elizabeth. The Credo was followed by the prayer of the faithful in various languages. The first one was for the Church and it was in Portuguese by a Brazilian believer. It was followed by a prayer in Slovenian for the Holy Father and for all who proclaim the Gospel. The third was in Portuguese again and it was dedicated to all leaders of nations and civil authorities.

The fourth prayer in Hindi was rendered by a young woman and it entrusted all the sick and the unemployed to the intercession of the Blessed Mother. The following prayer was for world peace and it was read out by a South African woman in Afrikaans. Then followed a prayer for WYD participants in Bahasa Indonesia. The final one was for young adults in Italian.

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the offertory gifts were brought by a host family from the Diocese of Lisbon, a volunteer from Poland, pilgrims from Chile and Malaysia and two Portuguese altar servers. After the preparation of the gifts, the Sanctus was intoned in Latin. Following the consecration, the choir and the congregation sang the Lord’s Prayer in Portuguese. Then followed the Lamb of God in Latin (Agnus Dei).

Holy Communion was distributed by hundreds of priests and Eucharistic Ministers as the choir sang the hymn “Das geracoes sou bem a ventura” (You can walk many miles in vain). Then followed a rendition of the Magnificat of Our Lady.

Before concluding Holy Mass, the Cardinal reminded young men and women that they have with them always Jesus and Mary before wishing them a happy journey.

As the prelates left the sanctuary, the choir sang the official hymn to which thousands responded enthusiastically and with gusto.