Maddie’s Journey to World Youth Day 2023

Howdy! My name is Maddie Kempf, and I have been blessed with an opportunity to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal this August.

A Little About Me:

I am a 28 year old Youth Minister who is passionate about accompanying teens in their relationship with Christ.

My Faith Journey & Journey to WYD:

Despite growing up as a cradle Catholic, it was my youth group experience as a teen that helped me encounter God in a more personal way. As a high school senior in 2012, I discerned attending a Catholic university with the intention of majoring in Youth Ministry. In 2019, the Lord opened the door for me to serve at my home parish as a Youth Minister. Since then, the Father has stretched me in my capacity to love and blessed me abundantly through the incredible community I’ve served over the past 4 years.

Recently the passage, “the Vine and the Branches” from the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, has been stirring in my heart. As Jesus tells his disciples to bear fruit, he encourages them twice as much to abide in His love. As a young adult striving to grow deeper in my relationship with him, my prayer for this trip is that the Lord continues to transform my heart through each new experience- whether it’s in the papal mass (which still blows my mind!) or in visiting holy sites such as Fatima and Lourdes! So that in transforming my heart, I may be closer to the saint He desires me to be and a greater vessel for proclaiming His Gospel message!

So what is World Youth Day?

World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is at the same time a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and a powerful moment of evangelization for the world of youth. It is an invitation to a generation determined to build a more just and united world.

Since the first edition, held in Rome in 1986, World Youth Day has proven to be a laboratory of faith, a place of birth of vocations to marriage and consecrated life, as well as an instrument of evangelization and transformation of the Church.

(https://www.lisboa2023.org)

Ways You Can Help!

1) Prayer! Your prayers are vital for my pilgrimage! Please pray for safe travels for our group and for an openness to all that the Lord has in store for us. I would love to carry any prayers you have as well! Please click here to submit any prayer intentions!

2) Fundraising! As a full time Youth Minister, I would be immensely grateful for any and all financial aid in this pilgrimage. All donations will go towards travel expenses, lodging, meals, and my very first passport! (Due to time constraints, I have to get my passport expedited -same day- which significantly increases the price.)

3) Spread the Word! Please share my pilgrimage with anyone you know who would be willing to support me in prayer and financially.

Thank you for your time and for your consideration in supporting my pilgrimage! Any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or prayer intentions. I would be happy to discuss this opportunity further.

I still can’t believe this trip is happening, and I can’t wait to see all God has in store!

In Christ’s joy,

Maddie