The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. A date or theme have not been announced.
For the WYD 2027 logo and latest information visit the official website: WYD Seoul 2027.
For the most recent WYD message from Pope Francis, visit: Messages for the World Youth Day.
WYD is also celebrated annually in local dioceses. For guidelines for local celebrations visit: WYD Guidelines.
Background
World Youth Day (WYD) is an annual celebration started by Pope John Paul II as a way to inspire the youth and encourage them in living the teachings of Christ. In 1984 and 1985 he invited young people of the world to Rome for a Palm Sunday celebration in St Peter's Square before announcing the institution of World Youth Day on December 20, 1985.
The first official WYD was held in Rome in 1986. Since then, WYD has been celebrated either on Palm Sunday locally, or every 2-3 years as an international celebration hosted in a global city. In 2019 WYD local celebrations were moved to the feast of Christ the King. Young people continue to answer the invitation of the Holy Father in staggering numbers and carry home the message received there to be Christ's light to the world.
Experience
International WYD week begins with an opening Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of the hosting city. During the week youth gather in churches and locations around the city to listen to each other and bishops, to learn more about the teachings of the faith through catechesis and festivals. Mid-week the Pope arrives in the city and will be welcomed by the young people and he will lead a Stations of the Cross and a concluding Mass, which often attracts millions of pilgrims.
An outside glance of an international World Youth Day would spark a bystander's curiosity as massive crowds of young people flood the city streets. They will witness smiles and joy, singing and dancing young people, culture upon culture and nation upon nation, proudly holding their flags high (or wearing them), greeting one another in peace, humbly realising how small they are in a world of people, and strengthened to witness as so many share their convictions.
Some promotions and highlights of Australia’s participation in recent WYDs can be found here:
Australia’s pilgrimage promo to WYD 2019 Panama City (Panama)
Australia’s pilgrimage highlights to WYD 2016 Krakow (Poland)
Australia’s pilgrimage highlights to WYD 2013 Rio de Janerio (Brazil)
Australia’s pilgrimage highlights to WYD 2013 Madrid (Spain)
Pilgrimage Leader Resources
Australian WYD leaders have been collaborating since the year 2000, sharing and refining resources to assist new WYD leaders and ensuring successful pilgrimage experiences. Following are a series of resources which can assist coordinators leading a pilgrimage to WYD.
COMPLIMENTARY RESOURCES
WYD Messages, Speeches and History
World Youth Day is under the auspice of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. Records of key elements, events and speeches can be found on their website: Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life – World Youth Day.
Key Elements of Pilgrimage pulls together both academic research and reflections on pilgrimage, from its journey of faith to the practicalities of planning. Each element and reflection better informs our approach in providing young pilgrims with openness to pilgrimage, ancient and new, on their personal journey with Jesus Christ (ACBC Office for Youth, 2016).
Chaplain Formation (Presented by Archbishop Christopher Prowse)
An overview of responsibilities and considerations for those fulfilling a chaplain role at WYD.
REQUESTED RESOURCES
Resources can be requested from the NCE by emailing info@nce.catholic.org.au. The NCE reserves the right to decline a request.
WYD Planning and Quotation
Planning and preparing for a WYD pilgrimage can take 12-18 months with key decisions made at different times of the journey. This resource has collated many of the considerations and key decisions of a WYD pilgrimage. From discerning the spiritual themes and itinerary of your pilgrimage, leadership structures, estimated numbers and costs, rooming, deposits and payments; this document will help you get ahead of decisions to ensure a considered and successful pilgrimage.
Tour Operator Selection and Management Resources
Your travel partner for WYD is critical to the success of your WYD pilgrimage. There are many considerations to balance including governance, business continuity (financial viability, risk management, sustained operation), sub-contracting, safeguarding, required deliverables, critical incident management, and a management agreement (including deadlines, accountability and penalties).
When discerning your travel partner, what value do you put on this experience? Is it:
- Financial outlay e.g. 40 pilgrims (bus) paying $8000AU each = $320,000.
- What cost do you put on the spiritual impact of such an experience? e.g. what’s the cost of missing an event or a pilgrimage site?
- What personal expense is sacrificed? Fundraising by communities? Time away from work or family?
How do these costs compare to other project offered by your community? e.g. staff and wages, building, events? What governance is required to manage the true value of this initiative?
Management ‘Deliverables’ include requirements to be met by your travel company (spreadsheets include quarterly reporting and evaluations).
The NCE can share samples of the following resources:
- WYD EOI Cover Letter
- WYD EOI Application Pack and Form
- Tour Operator EOI Interview Questions
- Tour Operator ‘Deliverables’ outlining requirements to be met by your travel company (spreadsheets include quarterly reporting and evaluations)
- Deliverables - WYD Group
WYD Pilgrim Journal
For more than two decades Australian pilgrims have been provided with a pilgrim journal to reflect upon their WYD experience. It is has been refined and updated each year with current WYD information and considerations, the Holy Father's message, reflection and journal space, prayers, music (lyrics only), and liturgies. Samples of the WYD 2016 and WYD 2019 journal are available for groups developing their own journals or apps to support pilgrims' spiritual and pastoral journey.