Ola, Lisboa!
The MAGIS spirit was alive, giving vibrancy and enthusiasm to the universal church as the Jesuit-affiliated young people ages 18-35 years old celebrated the MAGIS program from 22-31 July 2023, held in Lisbon, Portugal. With the theme, “Creating a Hope-filled Future,” the MAGIS program is a pre-World Youth Day (WYD) activity. It is a response to one of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus: to journey and accompany the youth.
Ms. Maria Clariza “Clang” R. Matute, from the Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office of the Ateneo de Davao University, participated in the MAGIS and WYD 2023, together with the ten (10) representatives from the Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Ateneo de Naga University, and Xavier School. The official delegates of MAGIS Philippines were accompanied by the MAGIS Philippines Coordinator, Fr. Arthur Nebrao, SJ, and Jesuit Scholastic, Br. Dom Joseph Bulan, SJ.
In the 10-day MAGIS program, more than two thousand young pilgrims were housed in Colegio de São João de Brito in Lisbon. Daily masses were celebrated, and fun activities such as workshops, sports, festivals of nations, moments of silence and reflection, and MAGIS Circle helped the participants deepen and live out the Ignatian Spirituality. The young people were invited to ask for a grace of a discerning heart to listen to God’s invitation in creating a hope-filled future that is greatly challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects, among all other issues that threaten the future of the world we live in.
The program’s highlight was the MAGIS Experience, which allowed the pilgrims to immerse themselves in the local communities in Portugal and Spain. They were divided into five (5) Experiences: Pilgrimage and Journey, Faith and Spirituality, Service and Solidarity, Ecology and Environment, and Arts and Culture.
The MAGIS program ended on 31 July, at the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, with a eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
The young pilgrims continued to savor the grace-filled moments until World Youth Day from 1-6 August 2023, when they encountered Pope Francis, who reminded the one million attendees, “There is room for everyone in the Church because Jesus welcomes everyone. The young and old, the healthy and the sick, the righteous and sinners: everyone, everyone, everyone, everyone! So do not be afraid to change the world. Jesus knows the hearts of each one of you, the successes and the failures. He knows your hearts. Do not be afraid.”
Article and Photos by Ms. Maria Clariza “Clang” Matute
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