WYD presents Saints and Holy Patrons
The World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 presented on 18 May 2022 – on the birth anniversary of Saint John Paul II -, the 13 Saints and Holy Patrons of the world youth gathering that Portugal will host next year. “Women, men and young people” have been chosen who, according to the Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, “have shown that the life of Christ enriches and saves the youth of all times”.
Among them is also Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, a young noblewoman born on the suburbs of the capital. She was orphaned at an early age, but decided to be a “mother” to the destitute. At a time when this was officially forbidden, she managed to establish a religious congregation dedicated to this cause (Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception). Until her death in 1899, she overcame all opposition, reiterating: "Where there is good to be done, do it!"