Gode link
Program for pavens besøg - HER │ Det officielle program for WYD i Lissabon - HER │ Daglige fotos hos FLICKER - HER │ Danmarks Unge Katolikker HER │ Videoer på YouTube kanalen - HERFem videoer fra seks lokationer til WYD

Overskrifter
Lissabon
The 17th international World Youth Day will take place this year in Lisbon, a European city with a unique history dating back to the Roman Empire. Initially Christian, it was controlled by Muslims until the 12th century, when Christian faith was brought back. This allowed the Catholic faith to flourish and grow, and from this city a great saint was born, Saint Anthony of Padua, whose name might confuse, as Padua is a city in Italy, though his birthplace is in Lisbon, where now is a church, known as St. Anthony's Church, that visitors can visit and where relics can be seen.
Lisbon's rich history is also reflected in its churches, including the Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, often called Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in the city, containing impressive architectural style and works of art. Beautiful is also the Church of Saint Roch, a 16th-century Jesuit-created church and the only one to survive an earthquake in the 17th century, dedicated to the French beggar Saint Roch, that is an inspiration for pilgrims, a reminder to practice charity and be inspired by the faith, which is the what we wish for this WYD.
Fatima
One of the cities that remained uncovered for many years but is now of great importance and a great tourism destination is Fatima, a city a little over 100km from Lisbon, known for its miraculous apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary in 1917 to three children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. The incredible story of Fatima highlights the power of prayer and the rosary and reminds of the importance of confiding in the Lord, as the Good will always prevail in the end.
The main square of Fatima features the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, the burial place for Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, a large tree where the vision of the Blessed Mother was first seen, and the chapel of the Apparition. In the evenings, pilgrims from all around the world gather to pray the Rosary in various languages, culminating in a beautiful candlelight procession. Being such a testament to the power of prayer and the power of simplicity, Fatima deserves a visit when travelling to Portugal, especially during the World Youth Day!
Porto
And once we are in Portugal, how can we forget about Porto, this incredible city named after the country´s name? Porto is a major port city, as it is built near the sea with a unique blend of different cultures. The city's strong Catholic faith is evident in its churches, including the Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, which offers stunning interior and exterior views of the city and its people.
The church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi is a must-see, composed of three large naves, all gold-plated, and its stunning gothic interior. It is estimated that more than 650 pounds of gold where used to cover the whole church! To visit is also the highest point in Porto, the Clerics Tower, where many clerics were hanged to death as martyrs for their faith.
With the great churches also comes Porto's famous cuisine, including the Francesinha, a multi-meat sandwich covered in cheese and a sauce made from port wine and local beer.
The whole vibrant and faithful city is a testament to the goodness of the Lord and worth visiting.
Braga
At around 60km from Porto, lies the city of Braga, one of the oldest Catholic cities in Europe, also known as the Rome of Portugal. The beautiful city has over 100 churches, and visitors can climb up to the second most visited Catholic Marian shrine in Portugal, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro, to see a beautiful view of the city and surrounding landscapes at 566 metres of altitude. Another place worth visiting is the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, or the Good Jesus of the mountain, an incredible place of prayer, beautiful architecture and art dedicated to the Passion of Christ.
Braga is also the place where the first cathedral in Portugal was built, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the burial place of Portugal's first king's parents.
In this amazing city, visitors can enjoy delicious treats from Saint Vincent's Bakery and the famous Braga Style cod recipe. The city's history and cuisine are proof of the connection between faith, culture, food, and family, making it an ideal place to continue savouring one's faith.
Tomar + Santarem
Tamar and Santarem, situated in the central part of Portugal, are two unique cities with incredible history, including a medieval city center, a convent, a Chapel, and a park area dedicated by the Knights of Templar. The Knights of Templar were financial institutional experts who promoted the Catholic faith worldwide and protected it from the Moors in the 12th century. The convent offers a beautiful courtyard, interior chapels, and a main church that takes visitors back to a medieval era.
After a visit of the city, it is a good idea to stop for great food at Chico Elias, a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves delicious cuisine, including Tamar's specialty, rabbit stuffed in a pumpkin. With a short drive away, the 13th-century city of Santorum is reached, where a church dedicated to Saint Stephen lies, but now known as the Church of the Eucharistic Miracle. The Eucharistic miracle happened in the 13th century was catalogued by blessed Carlo Acutis, and it has a unique story about the power of the Eucharist, the power of faith, and the power of conversion away from sin.