In July and August 2023, we embarked on a blessed pilgrimage starting from the UAE. Our journey began as we landed in Madrid, where we attended a beautiful Mass in one of the city's stunning churches. After the service, we explored the vibrant city square, soaking in the sights and atmosphere before retiring to our hotel for the night.

The following day, we embarked on a bus journey to Lourdes, France. The trip took an entire day, but the breathtaking views of valleys and mountains, coupled with the refreshing cold weather, made it an unforgettable experience. In Lourdes, we were blessed to celebrate Mass at the grotto and participate in various pilgrim activities, deepening our spiritual connection.

After a couple of days in Lourdes, we continued our pilgrimage to Portugal, with a memorable stopover in Salamanca. In Portugal, we visited the site of the Eucharistic miracle in Santarém, a profoundly holy experience that left a lasting impact on all of us.

Our journey then took us to Pombal for our Days in the Diocese, where we were warmly welcomed by host families who treated us like their own. We spent the week engaging in various pilgrim activities and enjoying musical concerts, fostering a strong sense of community and spirituality.

Finally, we arrived in Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023. We stayed in a school and used public transport to travel to the venues for catechesis and Masses. Seeing Pope Francis, hearing his inspiring words, and meeting youth from around the world was a true blessing and a highlight of our pilgrimage.