It is safe to say that there is nothing on earth that compares to World Youth Day. It is a happening that has taken on a life of its own. And it has grown to epic proportions. The world will look on during the coming week as yet another World Youth Day unfolds in Rio de Janeiro.
The Family Life Office of the Diocese of Lincoln has organized a pilgrimage to every World Youth Day since it was hosted in Denver, with the exception of the one held in Manila, Philippines in 1995. We took 1,400 pilgrims to pray with Blessed Pope John Paul II in Denver in 1993. Many additional pilgrims from our area went on their own. In 1997, we took 230 pilgrims to Paris. Another 150 ventured to Rome during the Jubilee Year in 2000. We had some 550 young people board buses for the event in Toronto in 2002. We flew 150 to Cologne, Germany in 2005, 110 to Sydney Australia in 2008 and another 110 to Madrid, Spain in 2011.
Preceding the last four World Youth Day events, our pilgrims have participated in what is called Days in the Diocese. Before checking in for the six days of WYD activities, a prior six days is hosted in various dioceses in the vicinity. Pilgrims are housed in groups of two, three or four in the homes of local Catholics. It is typical for one or two parishes to host the pilgrims of a particular diocese. During their stay, pilgrims are introduced to the region with town and country tours while getting to know their host families. The parish typically hosts various events, such as picnics, concerts, sporting events, games and the like. Pilgrims also get together with the entire group on most days for Mass and other spiritual activities. Generally, this portion of the trip has the biggest impact on pilgrims where complete strangers turn into life-long friends. The generosity of fellow Catholics from abroad is special!
Our diocesan pilgrims are treated to a few days of touring before beginning the formal cultural and spiritual events that comprise World Youth Day. For example, a three-day stop in Rome preceded our overnight train ride to Paris. Dachau and Oberammergau (Germany) were stops on the trip through Bavaria en route to Cologne. A couple days on the north island of New Zealand, including a tour of Hobbiton, preceded our Days in the Diocese on the south island in Christchurch that led into WYD events in Sydney. Some prayerful days at the Marian shrine in Lourdes (France) were part of our route to being hosted in Toledo before proceeding to Madrid.
The itinerary for Lincoln Diocese pilgrims this year includes a couple days of touring in Sao Paolo, one of the largest cities in the world, followed by a trip to Aparecida, home of an enormous Marian shrine, while making our way to the historic town of Petropolis, just an hour north of Rio. Host families from St. Jude Parish will take care of our pilgrims for six days before they head to Rio. Events with Pope Francis include a welcoming ceremony, Stations of the Cross, a solemn prayer service with Adoration and Benediction, and the closing Mass on July 28.
Become a part of the inspirational spirit of WYD by tuning in to EWTN during the coming week. Please offer prayers for the 50 pilgrims from our diocese who are there with millions of young people from around the globe to celebrate our Catholic Faith. May the blessings of this amazing event spread all over the globe to build up Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
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