World Youth Day Madrid: 365 Days & Counting

Only one year to go to WYD 2011 in Madrid, Spain!

Twenty-two young adults from the Diocese of Joliet will depart for Madrid, Spain, in one year's time. The international celebration of World Youth Day will take place August 13-22, 2011 on the Iberian penninsula - and we'll be there to experience the big event!

This past week, WYD pilgrims from the diocese have celebrated their one-year pre-anniversary by gathering and sharing their thoughts on the notion of pilgrimage - and why this trip will be different than any vacation they have had or will ever have. As we look one year into the future, we can expect a journey of faith - both interior and exterior - that will transform their lives.

World Youth Day, begun at Pope John Paul II's suggestion in 1984, is now an international phenomenon. The audience for this event are young people ages 16 to 35 (the word "youth" in Europe is more indicitive of young adults than teenagers) - and the Diocese of Joliet is bringing a big contingent of those people to Spain next August.

In addition to the 22 young adults, the diocese will also send along older teens, chaperones, and young adult seminarians and priests - as well as Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who will accompany the pilgrimage overseas. Several diocesan agencies are working together to make this trip a reality: the youth ministry office, the campus ministry office, the vocations office, the Hispanic affairs office, and of course, the young adult ministry office for the Diocese of Joliet.

The young adult pilgrims include men and women from around the Chicagoland area: Joliet, Naperville, Morris, Clarendon Hills, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, Plainfield, Elmhurst, Lockport, Lisle, Frankfort, and Chicago. They are college students, recent grads, married couples, and singles - and they are open to the Holy Spirit as they make their way towards Madrid this year.

The coming year will feature retreats, days of reflection, catechesis, spiritual renewal, social opportunities, travel preparation, and other activities for these pilgrims. One major difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage is that the pilgrim's route is just as important as the destination. And this year, as we journey with these men and women, that route is full of great things.

Please pray for our pilgrims this year.