SW News: The volunteers of the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 will travel to 600 institutions in order to bring the message of WYD to about 48,27 people who will not be able to participate in the international event.

The initiative, referred to as a "missionary gesture," will be held in July ahead of the World Youth Day, which will be held in Lisbon from August 1 to August 6.

The team leaders must make arrangements with the host diocese's institutions to carry out the "missionary gesture." The volunteers will be visiting nursing homes, drug treatment facilities, hospitals, jails, and facilities for persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, pilgrims from the parishes of San Mateo and San Rafael de la Guineueta of the Archdiocese of Barcelona in Spain are walking more than 1,200 kilometers over 40 days to reach Lisbon to attend the event.

The Archbishopric of Barcelona said the pilgrimage to Lisbon is an integral part of this experience since it represents both an interior and exterior journey towards the encounter with the Christian faith. “Young people will immerse themselves in prayer, formation, renunciation, and community life, strengthening their faith and preparing for a transformative encounter with Pope Francis,” their statement said.

This pilgrimage also seeks to serve as a means of raising money for the restoration of the chapel from the former Holy Cross Mental Institute and the construction of a new parish center. According to the design of architect Josep Oriol Bernadet, this temple was constructed in 1888 in a neoclassical style and closed about 40 years ago. After the renovations, it will serve as the parish of San Rafael's new home. One of Spain's first mental health treatment facilities, the Mental Institute had room for more than 700 patients.