World Youth Day

What is World Youth Day?

In 1986 Pope John Paul II invited young people from all around the world to join him in Rome to celebrate their faith.  Since then, WYD has been celebrated annually on a regional diocesan level every Palm Sunday, and every 2-3 years at a week-long international event held in different cities around the world.  The international events attract hundreds of thousands of young people from almost every country on the planet. These events are vibrant celebrations of Catholic youth spirituality and are best understood as the highlight of a pilgrimage that involves 1-2 years planning, fundraising and preparation, and as an experience which the young people return from to contribute what they have learnt and experienced to their local parishes.

As part of this pilgrimage, participants are hosted by a local parish for 3 days prior to the WYD week festival, then in simple accommodation (schools or parish halls) for a week of catechesis, Masses, Papal appearances, liturgies, music, art, drama and dance. WYD celebrates the Catholic faith, but the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions.

Madrid, Spain 2011

We will soon launch our WYD 2011 package which will contain all the information you will need to travel to WYD as part of a combined Palmerston North Diocesan / Wellington Archdiocesan pilgrimage.

We will include a 3 week pilgrimage and a direct to Days in the Diocese option.

For more information, contact Kathleen Field at cya@dyc.net.nz

For information on WYD, contact the WYD site directly at  www.madridwyd2011.com