How to Attend World Youth Day
Each year, World Youth Day (WYD) brings Catholic young people together to celebrate their faith on a local, regional or national level. In addition, every 3 years, individuals 16 to 35 are also invited to an international pilgrimage hosted by the pope, the leader of the 1.1 billion-member Roman Catholic Church. This global gathering is held in a different country each time, and requires advance planning and preparation.
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Instructions
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Learn about World Youth Day. In 1984, Pope John Paul II held the first event to "respond to the expectations of young people," as he told WYD '95 participants in Manila, Philippines. Despite the age difference between the pontiff and youth, the international gatherings grew in popularity during the first decade: from 300,000 to 4 million, per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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Decide whether you're going on your own or with a group. Because of the complications of international travel and to increase youth fellowship, most U.S. dioceses--and even individual parishes--organize their own groups. Recruitment and planning begin soon after the previous global pilgrimage ends. The annual events are more scaled-down and easier to attend individually.
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Research location, price, travel, lodging and what to bring. This information is available from your parish or diocesan youth office. If international pilgrims go on their own, however, they will have to arrange their own travel and lodging.
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Finance the trip. Most pastors will at least partially fund young adults and adult chaperones representing their parish at World Youth Day. Groups also hold a variety of fund raisers to offset the expenses of the global event.
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Get or renew your passport well in advance if you're going out of the country. You may also need foreign currency, depending on the locale.
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Arrive early, especially at the international pilgrimage events which are complicated by summer heat, vast crowds and long lines. Allow for adequate walking time between activities, as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear easily distinguishable clothing if you go with a group. International pilgrims usually camp out the night before the closing mass. Bring small gifts to share with other attendees.
Attend your diocese's child abuse prevention training if you chaperone teens under 18. Develop an emergency plan in case of loss or injury. Keep venue tickets, identification and health insurance cards with you at all times.
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