Have you ever wanted to be a pilgrim?
For many in America, we typically associate “pilgrims” as being a symbol for Thanksgiving. The image that comes to mind is typically the Puritans who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620 and established a colony in the “New World.”
But the crucial aspect that many neglect in this story is that this group of brave voyagers were coined with the name “pilgrims” because they were seeking religious freedom and a sacred land. Despite the common misconception, pilgrims are not just people of the past. There are pilgrims in the current day too. The word pilgrim refers to a traveler, or a wanderer, and is often associated with those seeking religious sanction.
And guess what? By going on World Youth Day 2027, you can be a pilgrim.
World Youth Day is a Catholic pilgrimage and a celebration of faith among the youth. Hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims from around the world unite for the cherished tradition that was begun decades ago by Pope John Paul II.
“Remember that you are never alone, Christ is with you on your journey every day of your lives!”
In 1985, Pope John Paul II began the well honored tradition of World Youth Day (WYD).
Although WYD is celebrated every year in local diocese, it is about every two-three years in a different country each time that the youth of the world are brought together to celebrate communally. The goal of the WYD festival is that the pilgrims are able to grow closer to God, celebrate Jesus, and strengthen their faith.
“Remember that you are never alone, Christ is with you on your journey every day of your lives!”
These were the wise words of Pope John Paul II. These words, along with the essence of WYD, serve as a reminder that upon our journey through life, we are always accompanied by Jesus. And for those maybe struggling to comprehend this idea, WYD is there to help.
And being accompanied by 500,000 and 1 million others in a beautiful Catholic celebration serves as a reminder that none of us are alone in worshiping Jesus.
“You are the hope of the Church and of the world, you are my hope,” said Pope John Paul II in regards to the youth.
John Paul II was a personal pope, and he cared deeply about the youthful generations. He placed hope in the young, and this led him to the creation of WYD. This is the ultimate opportunity for those specifically aged between 15 and 35 and strong in their faith to unite with others around the world to celebrate, grow, and strengthen their relationship with God and deepen their own Catholicism.
World Youth Day 2027
The highly anticipated next WYD will occur August 3-8, 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.
The Gibbons moderated trip will occur August 1-9 of that year, and it is open to current freshmen and sophomores. Applications are due by April 1 for those interested. The total cost per traveler is $6,682 which includes flights, breakfast, dinners, and activities.
The itinerary for the trip is expansive, and it includes masses, papal mass and ceremonies, a guided tour of Seoul, and numerous worship opportunities.
For each WYD, a theme is chosen. For the coming WYD, Pope Francis selected the theme to be, “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
This verse was spoken by Jesus to the disciples at the Last Supper and it acknowledges the challenges and adversities of the world, while also inspiring courage and proclaiming hope. The idea of hardships, as expressed by Jesus through these words, are certainly relatable for the youth now, which makes this the perfect theme for the coming WYD.
Why Go?
Many Gibbons students attended WYD last summer in Italy, which coincided with the Jubilee year. And as many students attest, the experience was incredible.
“I would recommend World Youth Day to anyone who wants to go because it brought me so much closer to my faith and gave me a perspective on the world that you can’t get anywhere else.” said Josie Snyder.
“Going to World Youth Day changed my life. It changed my entire perspective of my own faith, and being on the trip, not just with 35 of my classmates, but also 1 million Catholics, helped me to grow exponentially in my faith journey,” Drew Flanagan said.
“I 100 percent recommend WYD because it opened my eyes to the diversity of culture within our shared faith, plus it’s a ton of fun,” said Milo Muzyk.
“Seeing Catholicism around the world brought together in one place is such a beautiful experience to share with a million other people who come from various backgrounds. I felt so blessed to have had the chance to be a part of it and I urge anyone to take the opportunity and go if they can!” Juliette Froment said.
“I’d recommend WYD for other students because it is an amazing opportunity to see other people from various cultures and backgrounds who can come together to share their love for Jesus,” said Charlotte Bouchard.
These reminiscent words of wisdom and recommendation only begin to describe why WYD is such a beautiful and unique experience.
To any underclassmen interested in experiencing WYD in Seoul, South Korea for themselves and becoming a current day pilgrim, be sure to register by April 1!
