“Rise up”- the WYD catechesis: social friendship and mercy are the themes of the second and third days

In a spirit of synodality and dialogue, the WYD Lisbon "Rise up" catechesis continued. After the first day dedicated to the theme of integral ecology, the second day was entirely dedicated to social friendship.

Working groups in a synodal spirit

The dynamics of each "Rise up" encounter in the more than 250 locations scattered throughout the city included reading and meditating on a Gospel passage- on this second day, the episode of the wedding at Cana- and an invitation to speak personally in silence with Jesus on the theme of social friendship. This was followed by small working group sessions in each location, where the young pilgrims together with the catechist bishops discussed topics such as the relationship between social media and true friendship between people; existential and material poverty; wars; interreligious dialogue and many others. When they finished, the celebration of Holy Mass concluded each meeting.

The power of mercy and the courage to respond to a vocation

On the third day, the liturgical memorial of St. John Mary Vianney, the catechist bishops animated the "Rise up" catechesis with a special invitation to meditate on the power of the experience of the Lord's mercy for each person and the beauty of mercy towards each other.

Among the many proposals, in particular, there was the catechesis by Archbishop José Ulloa, Archbishop of Panama-the host country for WYD 2019- that was all about discovering vocation. With the symbolic passing of a cross from hand to hand, the Spanish-speaking young people present at his catechesis, in the Amphitheater Fundaçao Champalimaud, meditated on the merciful love of the Lord and the boldness of answering yes to the call to marriage, consecrated life, priesthood, and single life dedicated to others.

Inviting everyone to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, each catechesis ended, also on the third day, with the celebration of Holy Mass.