Lisbon, 24 July, 2023 / 9:50 pm (ACI Africa).
A section of the African Digital Youth Faith Influencers (ADYFI) who are to participate in the World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, have been reminded that they are embarking on a pilgrimage of faith and not a fun tour.
In his homily at the Sunday, July 23 ADYFI commissioning Mass, Fr. Ambrose Bwangato, a Priest of the Archdiocese of Kampala in Uganda urged those participating in the August 1-6 event to hinge their intentions, as well as their activities in Lisbon, on faith.
“Our brothers and sisters (who) are going to Portugal, remember that you are not going there as tourists. You’re not going there as visitors. You are going there as pilgrims of faith. And as a consequence of that identity, your faith must influence your entire experience,” Fr. Ambrose said.
He added, “Your journey, your interactions, your participation in all events, and all the spiritual events that will be organized must be characterized by the faith of the martyrs.”
Ugandan members of the ADYFI represented their peers from all over the continent at the commissioning Mass that was held at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine in Kampala. Members from other African countries followed the event virtually.