40 of us embracing a life-changing pilgrimage together!
More than 200,000 young Catholics will gather in Portugal this summer – and St. Ambrose Cathedral’s young leaders will be there!
World Youth Day invites Catholic young adults (mostly ages 18-39) to gather from around the world for six days to pray, learn and be together with faith-filled peers. Already, Catholics from 120 countries have registered to be with Pope Francis and each other in August 2023 in Lisbon.
- Our St. Ambrose pilgrims will travel with others from the Diocese of Des Moines. They will stay in family homes, pursue service activities, and share faith with other pilgrims in the Diocese of Lisbon.
- Our pilgrims are excited to spend time together at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Many St. Ambrose families have a deep love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This holy place offers a special time of retreat, reflection, prayer and growth for our pilgrims.
Our parish preparations are part of this pilgrimage! It’s our opportunity to know one another better and encourage each other in faith. For older parishioners, it’s an opportunity to pass our faith forward to this next generation!
Who are our pilgrims?
Nearly 40 young adults from St. Ambrose parish have registered.
They are saving and earning money to afford this remarkable pilgrimage. They will need our generosity, too.
- They represent many of our parish’s ethnic communities. Only two of the 40 pilgrims were born in the United States! Many come from refugee families. Fr. Ambrose Ladu Daniel and SIster Susan are among them: international clergy who serve the people of Des Moines.
- Our pilgrims are pursuing educations, starting jobs, or raising young children — and yet they are sacrificing to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience.
Like the early Christians…
… our pilgrims are pooling their funds to help one another go! Rather than each trying to pay their full fare of $4,000, they are earning and raising funds together — supporting & encouraging one another! Our gifts to the WYD fund support all of them.
Our pilgrims need our support
Many cannot afford to go on this life-changing pilgrimage without our help. Your gifts of funds and prayer make it possible for these devoted parishioners bring an invigorated faith back to our parish life!
