About 300 representatives from bishops’ conferences, dioceses, religious communities and ecclesial movements around the world gathered in Incheon, South Korea last month for the second international preparatory meeting for World Youth Day Seoul 2027.

The meeting was an important opportunity to hear directly from the Seoul organisers and to look at what the next year of preparation will require. Much of the meeting focused on the practical details that will shape the pilgrim experience, including registration, accommodation, transport, entry into South Korea and the program itself.

The Days in the Dioceses will be a significant part of that experience in Seoul. Thirteen of South Korea’s 15 dioceses presented their plans during the meeting, giving international delegates an opportunity to see how local communities are preparing to welcome pilgrims. For Australian young people, this will be a valuable opportunity to encounter the Korean Church before gathering with pilgrims from around the world in Seoul. Spending time in local dioceses will allow young people to experience Korean Catholic communities, meet local young people and see how the Catholic faith is lived in a different cultural setting.

The international meeting also gave delegates an opportunity to experience the Korean culture. Alongside the formal sessions, participants took part in cultural activities, visited potential WYD week sites, and participated in Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral.

In Australia, this work is continuing through the national World Youth Day coordinators network, bringing together more than 40 leaders from dioceses, eparchies and Catholic organisations. The network provides a space to share information from the international organisers, learn from one another and consider how best to accompany young people towards Seoul.

The second preparatory meeting also reinforced the importance of starting that accompaniment now. The months before World Youth Day provide an opportunity for young people to build relationships, deepen their faith and begin to understand themselves as part of a much larger Church. There is also an important question about what happens after Seoul. The pilgrimage will have its greatest value when the relationships, faith and experiences developed through World Youth Day continue to find a place in the ordinary life of Australian parishes, dioceses and communities.

With one year to go, the task now is to bring what has been shared in Seoul and turn it into practical and meaningful preparation for young people in our local communities.

Words: Qwayne Guevara

Images: ©️ 2027 Seoul World Youth Day Local Organizing Committee