In total 13 patrons saints were chosen. They are models for youth and show how the life of Christ fills and saves the youth of all time.

Photo: Photo: Press Release / WYD Lisbon 2023.

Portugal – Lisbon (03/06/2022 1:07 PM, Gaudium Press) The Organizing Committee for World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 has chosen 13 Saints and Blesseds to be the patron saints of the event. They were chosen as examples for the youth regarding their pastoral and spiritual importance.

According to the Patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, “the preparation of each World Youth Day, its realization, and the dynamism that is inaugurated with the encounter of young people from all over the world with the Pope are entrusted to patrons saints who have been canonized or are in the process of canonization. They are models for youth. They show how the life of Christ fills and saves the youth of all time.”

Patron Saints of WYD Lisbon 2023

Our Lady is the patroness par excellence of WYD, as is St. John Paul II, founder of this initiative bringing together millions of young people from the five continents. Alongside them are other Saints dedicated to the service of youth, such as Saint John Bosco, “patron saint of youth,” and Saint Vincent, deacon and martyr of the 4th century.

Among the Saints born in Lisbon are Saint Anthony, Franciscan religious born around 1190; Saint Bartholomew of the Martyrs, a Dominican and Archbishop of Braga; and Saint John of Brito, a Jesuit who went to India to announce the Gospel.

Among the Blessed are Joan of Portugal, daughter of King Alphonsus V; John Fernandes, a young Jesuit martyred on his way to the missions in Brazil; Mary Clare of the Child Jesus; Marcel Callo; Chiara Badano; and Carlo Acutis. (EPC)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj