The next World Youth Day will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from August 1-6, 2023. As preparations for this massive event continue, organizers announced the 13 patron saints of the event.
These saints were chosen by a local organizing committee to be strong examples of holiness for the young people who will attend World Youth Day.
While many of the saints are from throughout Europe, there are several who are from Portugal, highlighting the faith of the local people.
1St. John Paul II
The pope responsible for the first World Youth Day, St. John Paul II served as pope for 26 years, always close to young people in everything he did.
2St. John Bosco
19th-century priest St. John Bosco was an influential Italian saint who founded orphanages and created a system of education that respected the student, accompanying young people in their struggles as well as their joys.
3St. Vincent of Saragossa
St. Vincent, a 4th-century martyr from Spain, is the patron saint of the Diocese of Lisbon, Portugal.
4St. Anthony of Lisbon
Born in Lisbon, St. Anthony was a Franciscan saint who died in the 13th century in Padua, Italy. He is best known for his preaching and for his intercession for finding lost items.
5St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs
A 16th-century Dominican and Archbishop of Braga. St. Bartholomew was a key player in the Council of Trent.
6St. John de Brito
Originally from Lisbon, St. John de Brito was a Jesuit who was martyred in India in 1693.
7Bl. Joana of Portugal
Bl. Joana of Portugal was daughter of King Alfonso V and died in 1490, after renouncing her monarchical rights and entering a Dominican convent.
8Bl. João Fernandes
Bl. João Fernandes was a Jesuit martyred off the Canary Islands in 1570 while on his way to a mission in Brazil.
9Bl. Maria Clara of the Child Jesus
Bl. Maria Clara of the Child Jesus was the founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception. She worked among the poor in Lisbon, dying in 1899.
10Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
The “Man of the Beatitudes,” Bl. Pier died at the age of 24. He enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing and serving the poor of Turin, Italy.
11Bl. Marcel Callo
A French scout and member of the Catholic Youth Worker movement, Bl. Marcel died in the Mauthausen concentration camp in 1945 for his Christian faith.
12Bl. Chiara Badano
Dying at a young age in 1990, Bl. Chiara Badano was a joyful witness to her Catholic faith and has been a beacon of hope to many young people.
13Bl. Carlo Acutis
The “computer geek,” Bl. Carlo Acutis died at the age of 15 in 2006 and was known for his devotion to the Eucharist, creating an entire exhibit on Eucharistic Miracles.
