INFORMATION PACKAGE
WYD World Youth Days Pope John Paul II announced the institution of World Youth Day in December, 1985 as an annual gathering of youth and young adults for prayer, worship and celebration of the Catholic faith. The event is observed annually in dioceses and every two to three years at an international gathering. Both international and domestic World Youth Day celebrations are important for three reasons. Putting Trust in the Young World Youth Day is a coming together of young adults from the four corners of the world and a strong reminder of the strength and confidence the young bring to the Church today. Gathering Together World Youth Day is not simply a gathering for the young people of the world, but a time to put trust in the world's youth. A calling for the world's youth to come together as one people. Personally Encountering the International Catholic Community In the 21st century technology ensures that young people are always in contact with one another. World Youth Day goes beyond "being in contact" and gives young people a personal encounter with the international Catholic community they cannot get through their phones or computers. The Church and Christians worldwide play a role in preventing fear, fostering hope, and building real human relationships. Source: www.usccb.org/about/world-youth-day/ World Youth Days in recent past
WYD 2016 - FACTS Date: July 25, 2016 - July 31, 2016 Location: Type: Kraków, Poland Youth festival Theme: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." (Mt 5:7) Did you know? This is the 29 th World Youth Day (XXIX). This is also the second World Youth Day in Poland, the first one was held in Czestochowa from 10 15 August 1991. Patron Saints: St. Faustina Kowalska Pope St. John Paul II
JY - JESUS YOUTH website: jesusyouth.org Jesus Youth is an international Catholic youth movement with a charismatic spirituality. It had its beginnings in Kerala (India), but is now active in nearly 30 different countries around the world. Jesus Youth is an initiative of young people themselves, who, filled with the Holy Spirit try to reach out to other young people. The strength of the movement is its special focus on a life centered on the Lord Jesus Christ: beginning with an experience of God nourished by prayer, the Word of God, the sacraments and fellowship, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others with acts of service. These form the six constants or six pillars of a Jesus Youth s lifestyle. Though not an actual community, Jesus Youth is a network of small but vibrant groups of young people. In their own life situations, they strive to give time to the Lord, responding to the challenges of today s world in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Canada, it all began under the presence of this conference s patron saint: St. John Paul II at WYD Toronto in 2002. That same year a JY small group was formed among few young families in Toronto - thus the seed of Jesus Youth movement was planted in Canada. Presently Jesus Youth members are present all across Canada. Starting with WYD 2012 in Toronto, Jesus Youth Canada has organized pilgrimages to every WYD since. Those who have gone through the WYD pilgrimages with Jesus Youth have shared how memorable the pilgrimage had been for them. This WYD 2016 Jesus Youth Canada is pleased to offer a great WYD package with two optional pilgrimage options pre-wyd and post-wyd. We wish all WYD pilgrims a spiritfilled experience in Krakow, Poland.
YAI Youth Arise International website: youtharise.org Arise International is a relational based international movement of young adults dedicated, through the grace of our own encounter with Christ, to raising a generation of Leaders to be apostles of Charity and Truth for the mission of the Church. Arise international: relates to various Pontifical dicasteries in the Vatican, such as Cor Unum, Council for Laity, Council for the New Evangelization,Congregation of Faith and Propoganda Fidae. Its leaders have met in person several times Pope John Paul 11 and Pope Benedict XVI, the last time has been October 17th, 2011 its vision is to raise a generation of leaders, man and women of God, committed husbands and wives, and parents, empowered by the Holy Spirit, open to the Gospel of Life and equip students to reach out to other students with scientific and latest contemporary proofs of the existence of Godwhich is systematically being attacked. (this is achieved through seminars, international events, internet, fora for leaders, discipleship, mentoring, university ministry, basic cell group structure, formation and mission experiences) is an expression of the spirituality of communion, where individuals from varying countries, cultures, movements and groups come together to be enriched through friendship ( the sharing of their lives), mentoring (the sharing of their experiences), and collaboration (the sharing in common work apostolate).this communion expresses itself in the mission of the Church.(At the threshold of the Third Millennium it is clear that the Church's ability to evangelize requires that she strive earnestly to serve the cause of unity in all its dimensions. Communion and mission go hand in hand. Novo Millennio Ineunte 24 John Paul11;see also NMI 43 ) is the founding movement behind Caritas in Veritate International a confederation of 32 organizations for integral development and human progress at the direct service of the Holy Father. It s spirituality: Charity needs to be based on, and incorporates,the Truth: who is not a concept, nor a philosophy but a Person, the Son of God: Jesus. was founded in 1994 in Malta; with more than 800,000 touched worldwide 3,000 young families and several hundreds of lay missionaries; since 2000 in USA with 25,000 young adults, 8 communities, and 26 lay missionaries. Since WYD 2000 in Rome, Arise International has been conducting Youth Arise International (YAI) Festivals preceding the WYD activities. These festivals feature the best International Catholic resources and have been well attended by youth from various movements all over the world. Those from Canada who have attended past YAI festivals have even said that YAI festival made all the difference to their WYD experience. The YAI Festival experience, fees, room and meals are all included in the JY WYD Package!
WYD 2016 PACKAGE Jesus Youth Canada Total Cost: $2,800 (all inclusive) Duration: 10 Days (July 21 to 31, 2016) Included in price: Round trip airfare from Toronto to Poland Local transportation i.e. transfers from and to airport and to accommodation and event sites Youth Arise International Youth Festival Fees WYD registration fees Accommodation and meals Not included in price: Personal spending money Travel Insurance (Optional) Optional pilgrimage packages (see below) Passport Need to have expiry date February 2017 or later (Canadian citizens do not require visa) YAI FESTIVAL 2016 SCHEDULE MORNING THURSDAY 21.07 ARRIVAL FRIDAY 22.07 SESSIONS HOLY MASS SATURDAY 23.07 SESSIONS HOLY MASS SUNDAY 24.07 SESSIONS HOLY MASS MIDDAY ARRIVAL WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS EVENING KEYNOTE CONCERT CONCERT ADORATION CONCERT ADORATION MEGA FESTIVAL MONDAY 25.07 WYD. Note: All package costs are our best estimates at this time. The final cost will be provided by October 2015.
Pilgrimage Options Pre-WYD Pilgrimage In the footsteps of St John Paul II $350 (All expenses including 3 nights hotel accommodation, transportation and food except for the entry fee to Auschwitz) Duration: 3 days Dates: July 19 th to 21 st 2016 Visits: Divine Mercy Sanctuary Old Town (Warsaw, UNESCO World Heritage Site) St. Mary's Church (largest brick church in the world) Rybnik (one of St. Pope JP II s favourite) Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Wadowice (Birth place of St. Pope JP II) Czestochowa (Holy Mass and visit to the historic monastery of the Pauline with miraculous Black Madonna altar) Oswiecim (visit the former concentration camp Auschwitz- Birkenau. This is optional recommended only for people who really want visit this place). Post-WYD Pilgrimage Medjugorje Italy France $1,250 (All expenses including hotel accommodation, transportation and food) Duration: 12 days Medjugorje-2 days Italy-5 days France-5 days Dates: July 31 st to Aug 12 th 2016 Visits: Medjugorje Rome Assisi San Giovanni Rotondo Taize Lourdes Paris Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lourdes Old Town Warsaw Rome
JOURNEY TO WYD 2016 June 12, 2015 WYD Info Session #1 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) General information about WYD Registration for WYD 2016 Solemnity of Sacred Heart of Jesus October 5, 2015 WYD Info Session #2 Feast of St. Faustina Detailed information on WYD package Registration for WYD 2016 - $500 deposit due January 31, 2016 WYD Info Session #2 Feast of St. John Bosco Close Registration for WYD Online registration on official WYD2016 website Full payment due February - July, 2016 Journeying together spiritually toward WYD 2016 Weekly reflections (e-mail) based on teachings from Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis Monthly movies on life of popular Polish saints Intercessions during Mass Small-group gatherings July 16, 2016 Pre-WYD Gathering (Toronto) Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Final information and review of the pilgrimage details All pilgrims, family and friends are invited to this gathering
FAQ Is there an Age Limit to attend WYD? WYD is intended for those youth who are 16 to 35 years but all ages are welcome. Minors below 18 yrs will need parental consent and be accompanied by an adult. If you are a minor and are interested you may still sign-up. We are presently looking for adults to volunteer as chaperones. An adult chaperone can only accompany a maximum of 4 minors. We will provide an update on this in October with session #2. Why Attend? There are many reasons for one to participate in WYD. Here are a few: To deepen your faith - a faith experience like no other. To go on pilgrimage with other young people - this means the journey promises to be fun & exciting. To learn about another culture and lifestyle and experience its rich history To know that you are not alone on your journey to Heaven To experience the Catholic Church that comes alive in a physical way where else can you be among over a million young Christians from all parts of the world? To rediscover a Church that is not dead but very much alive in each corner of the world It is a very exciting time to have a WYD in Poland. To walk where saints and martyrs have walked to journey in their footsteps to know that the Lord is Merciful. How long will I be away in Poland? WYD is 1 week long filled with daily Mass, Catechesis and youth festival activities (Concerts, Stations of the Cross and other cultural events). However, to prepare ourselves for this one week of amazing blessing there are events that precede WYD and fall after like pilgrimages and Youth Arise Festival. Is WYD physically challenging? Is there a lot of walking? Yes! There is a lot of walking as there will be millions of pilgrims in the same area. So public transit and chartered buses are usually not permitted in certain areas near WYD during the week of WYD. On the Saturday morning (to the close of WYD) all pilgrim's journey the 7 to 11 km walk to the main outdoor venue where the final Mass will be celebrated by the Pope.
What are the sleeping arrangements? Most of the accommodations we would be sleeping on the floor usually in Church basements or School Classrooms. Think of it like camping but indoors. Except on the Saturday August 30th evening we will be all sleeping outdoors. Can I attend if I have health and dietary problems? You can, we ask that you do let your group leaders know so that they can be prepared and advise you accordingly. In terms of dietary or health conditions each individual concern would be assessed at an individual level privately. Please let your group leaders know so appropriate measures can be taken. Will I always be travelling with a Jesus Youth from Canada? Yes, we will all be travelling together as one group Jesus Youth Canada. We will be staying in the same location with guys and ladies in separate rooms. At session#2 you will have a more details of the schedule while in Poland. We ask that all participants always keep a prayerful atmosphere, be respectful of each other and other pilgrims and to remain with your group while away from home base. Is there any preparations prior to WYD? Yes each regional group will participate in various activities to prepare pilgrims on their journey. There are 3 regional groups JY Toronto, JY Calgary and St. Lawrence Martyr Parish. Are there any priests or religious going with us? Yes we are looking to priests/ religious to join us in our journey. You will know more as we near Session #2. Will there be adults with us? All WYD participants will be assigned into groups in order to journey with. Groups will be determined closer to WYD as we will know who exactly will be going.