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July 23-28 - Rio de Janeiro

"Go and Make Disciples of All Nations" (Matthew 28:19)

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Get Your Free Visa for WYD 2013!

The Consulate General of Brazil is now issuing special visas that are free of charge for WYD 2013 participants. MORE

Registration is OPEN

See our Registration page for more information and links.

Pope-Francis-greets-boy-after-celebrating-Mass-at-St.-Anne's-Parish-within-Vatican-cns-paul-haring.jpg 

Pope Francis and the 28th World Youth Day!

Dear friends, I too am setting out on a journey with you, starting today, in the footsteps of Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI. We are already close to the next stage of this great pilgrimage of the Cross. I look forward joyfully to next July in Rio de Janeiro! I will see you in that great city in Brazil! Prepare well – prepare spiritually above all – in your communities, so that our gathering in Rio may be a sign of faith for the whole world

–Pope Francis

 

World Youth Day

 


World Youth Day Updates!

WYD Welcome Center for English-Speaking Pilgrims!

Read the Article

World Youth Day Webinar 1 & 2

Webinar 1 - November 16, 2012 with Sr. Eileen McCann
Webinar 2 - May 23, 2013 with Paul Jarzembowski

New Safety Resources

Important Safety & Security Guidelines

Visa Requirements for Minors

For children applying for visas under age 18

Pope Francis' Schedule for WYD Rio!

Article

Safety Preparedness

Letter from Bishop Da Cunha on preparing for safety. MORE

Online Survey

WYD Pilgrims & Friends: Please take 10 minutes to fill out this online survey about your experience with WYD (and how you feel about the upcoming WYD in Rio this summer). This study is being conducted by a religious studies researcher at TU Dortmund University in Westphalia, Germany

World Youth Day 2013 - Official Prayer

O Father, You sent Your Eternal Son to save the world and chose men and women, through Him, with Him and in Him, to proclaim the Good News to all nations. Grant us the graces necessary so that joy may shine in the faces of all young people, the joy of being, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evangelists the Church needs in the Third Millennium. 

O Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms on the top of Corcovado welcomes all people. In Your paschal offering, You brought us by the Holy Spirit to an encounter of sonship with the Father. Young people, who are fed by Eucharist, hear You in Your Word and meet You as their brother, need your infinite mercy to run the paths of the world missionary-disciples of the New Evangelization. 

O Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, with the splendor of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, send Your Light to all young people so that, driven by their experience of World Youth Day, they may bring to the four corners of the world faith, hope and charity, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world. 

Amen.

See also: Patrons and Intercessors of WYD 2013

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 three years at an international gathering.

The purpose of World Youth Day is threefold

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Meeting the International World on a Human Level
    It is still a marvel in this the 21st Century to exchange with others and to be a part of an international experience. International events are able to stir much hope but also many fears (increase in fundamentalism, nationalism and other new conflicts. . .) The Church and Christians themselves have a role to play in preventing the development of these fears, and in aiding each person in finding their way and discovering hope.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact the USCCB World Youth Day Office with any questions you may have pertaining to World Youth Day Rio 2013.
Phone: (202) 541-3044
E-mail: wyd@usccb.org

Also, check out the World Youth Day 2013 Frequently Asked Questions Page.



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