As World Youth Day approaches, you might be wondering how you can get the most out of this pilgrimage. Maybe you’re thinking about what you need to pack, or perhaps you’re making a to-do list and checking it twice. Or you might be pondering all the unknowns. What’s the Vigil going to be like? Will you see the Pope up close? How many new friends are you going to make?
You can just show up in Portugal with an open heart, and God can do something incredible with these days. But one way to get even more out of this adventure is to prepare ahead of time by learning about some of the people, places, or events you’re going to encounter.
Maybe it’s learning more about the story of the Blessed Mother appearing to three Portuguese shepherd children so that when you walk the streets of Fatima, you know why this little village is so important in Church history. Or maybe it’s meeting St. Anthony through a biographical novel so that when you visit the spot where he was born, you’re really praying at the place a friend was born. Perhaps you want to pick up a book on the rosary so that this beloved devotion is a little easier to pray (I’d suggest this one!).
Below you’ll find some suggestions for books that will add to your World Youth Day experience. Discover fascinating stories of past World Youth Days in this book about St. John Paul II, the founder of WYD. Have you ever heard of the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem? Get ready to see it with your very eyes by reading the story –and other fascinating stories of Jesus making His Real Presence known!
Find Out More About:
The Places You’ll Visit:
The Rosary:
A Few of the WYD 2023 Patron Saints:
Now that you’ve got your reading list covered, it’s time to start packing your bags! Unsure where to start? Verso’s got you covered. Check out the team’s top tried and true recommendations for WYD essentials here!
