Trip Overview

Join Verso Ministries and St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish for a life-changing week on pilgrimage. Experience the global Church firsthand amidst the unique and vibrant story of Catholicism in Korea. From remarkable saints, bustling markets, and moving shrines to Mass with the Pope and sleeping under the stars, join millions of Catholic young people in this worldwide encounter and celebration. You’ll never experience God, the Church, or your faith the same way again.

More parish information is available [here]. Please register and submit your deposit by April 1, 2026. Contact Debbie with any questions at drs24@sbcglobal.net.

What’s Included?

  • Verso pilgrimage director
  • Local Korean guide
  • 11 nights in simple accommodations in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms (including taxes)
  • Breakfast daily at lodging, 5 other meals, and WYD meal vouchers
  • Daily Mass Arrangements
  • Registration with WYD Committee, including access to events, public transportation pass, & WYD pilgrim kit
  • Access to Verso WYD spiritual & logistical preparation and follow-up resources
  • Fundraising resources
  • Verso Pilgrim Kit, including a pilgrimage booklet
  • Gratuities for local guide and pilgrimage director

Itinerary

July 30, 2027
  • Depart the U.S.
July 31, 2027
  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Incheon to check in
    • Pilgrims who fly on their own (land-only) will transfer on their own to meet the group at the hotel
  • Celebrate a Welcome Mass with your group and enjoy a Welcome Dinner together
  • Overnight in Incheon

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Dinner

August 1, 2027
  • Transfer to Mirinae Holy Ground, the final resting place of St. Andrew Kim Daegon
  • Mass upon arrival at Mirinae, followed by a tour of the shrine
  • Group lunch at the shrine
  • Free time to explore the extensive grounds, pray the stations of the cross, and visit the many chapels and exhibits
  • Transfer to hotel and check in
  • Free time for dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Suwon or vicinity

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

August 2, 2027
  • Depart for Chon Jin Am, the site of the birthplace of the Korean Catholic Church
  • Celebrate Mass at Chon Jin Am, followed by lunch at the shrine
  • Guided tour of the shrine and short hike to the tombs of the founders of the Korean Catholic Church, followed by free time to explore the grounds
  • Transfer back to Seoul and enjoy a group dinner
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 3, 2027
  • Free morning to explore Seoul using Verso’s WYD resources
  • Visit churches and shrines along one of the city’s walking pilgrimage routes and orient yourself to the city’s charming neighborhoods and vibrant culture
  • World Youth Day officially begins with an opening Mass for all pilgrims, celebrated by the Archbishop of Seoul
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 4, 2027
  • Morning Catechesis sessions with pilgrims and bishops from around the world, including prayer, discussion, and Mass
  • Attend Youth Festival events in the afternoon, ranging from concerts and speakers to Reconciliation and fellowship
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 5, 2027
  • Catechesis sessions with fellow pilgrims
  • Welcome the Holy Father to Seoul with a special celebration and prayer service
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 6, 2027
  • Final catechetical session in the morning with the bishops
  • Then, the Youth Festival continues, with opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or check out the Vocations Fair
  • In the evening, rejoin the Pope as all the pilgrims pray together the Stations of the Cross, led by the Holy Father himself
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

August 7, 2027
  • Begin with a pilgrimage to the Vigil site, typically a 12-15 mile walk
  • After finding designated area, settle in and enjoy different entertainment, shows, music, and prayer opportunities
  • In the evening, join the Pope and fellow pilgrims for a Vigil prayer service
  • That night, sleep under the stars and prepare for the Closing Mass
  • Overnight at Vigil site

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (*Meals at Vigil site)

August 8, 2027
  • The morning begins early with closing activities, including music, speakers and prayers, followed by the closing Papal Mass with the Holy Father
  • At the end of Mass, the next host diocese for World Youth Day is announced
  • Return to the hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax after a long day
  • Overnight in Seoul

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (*meals at Vigil site)

August 9, 2027
  • Free day to explore Seoul
  • Choose from various activities such as: Ascend Namsam Tower; pray at striking shrines and beautiful churches such as Dangoggae or Seosomun; explore Gwangjang Market and Bukchon Hanok Village, or visit one of the five traditional palaces throughout the city
  • Alternatively, arrange a day trip to Chon Jin Am, the birthplace of Korean Catholicism, or Mirinae Shrine, the burial place of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon (optional add-ons)
  • If you prefer to stay in Seoul, sign up for one of our cultural immersion activities, ranging from a K-Pop Dance Class to Taekwondo to a Korean Cooking Class (optional add-ons)
  • Farewell dinner as a group in a local restaurant

Accommodations: Simple, centrally-located hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

August 10, 2027
  • Transfer to Incheon International Airport and depart on your journey home
    • Pilgrims who fly on their own (land-only) will transfer on their own to the airport

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Simple Accommodations

  • All accommodations are in centrally-located hotels, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and easy access to event sites and public transportation.
  • Exact hotel assignments will be announced in the Spring of 2027.

Pricing

Package Cost
$3,459

Optional Add-ons

Single Room Supplement
$1,299 / person
Travel protection
Quote provided after registration
Flight option
(TBD in August 2026)

Pricing listed per person in double, triple, or quad-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.

The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

Final pricing may adjust based on actual costs for WYD registration fees, and/or any significant changes in currency exchange rates. Please see the Payment Schedule dropdown in the “More Details” section below for additional information regarding pricing.

Led by

Debbie Sousa
Debbie Sousa has been the volunteer Youth Ministry leader at St. Stanislaus Church in Bristol, CT since July of 2013. During that time, Debbie has led youth on over ten Mission Trips and three World Youth Days. The goal of Youth Ministry is to keep youth active in our parish, serving the community, practicing their faith, and bringing them closer to God.
Father Tomasz Sztuber
Father Tomasz Sztuber has been the Pastor at St. Stanislaus Church in Bristol, CT since February of 2018. Prior to serving in the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Diocese of Norwich both in CT, Father Tom served as a Missionary Priest in South Africa for over 15 years. He is originally from Poland.

Flights

As a reminder, airfare is not included in the initial package price. Information about the parish flight option will be available in August 2026.

Designated arrival and departure times for land-only pilgrims will be announced one year prior to the pilgrimage.

More Details

  • Roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to South Korea
  • Airport/hotel transfer in South Korea
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

In order to secure your space, Verso Ministries requires a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person. All final balances are due by March 31, 2027. Here is your group’s payment plan:

  1. Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
  2. June 15, 2026 – 25% of package
  3. September 15, 2026 – 25% of package
  4. December 15, 2026 – 25% of package
  5. March 15, 2027 – Final balance

 

Final package price is estimated. Pricing includes $250 for WYD registration fees. Prices are based on the current (as of summer 2025) exchange rate of $1.00 USD to ₩1,370.00 KRW. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates, airline taxes and fees (as applicable), or World Youth Day registration fees could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. Any changes in final pricing will be communicated before the final payment deadline.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations of individual pilgrims must be submitted to the group leader, and the group leader will inform Verso Ministries. Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here. Any refunds from individual cancellations will be sent to the organizing group, who is responsible for distributing any necessary funds to individual pilgrims. If the group chooses to cancel its pilgrimage in its entirety at any point, the following cancellation fee schedule will apply for all payments made.

  • After deposit: Deposit is retained ($500 per person)
  • July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • January 1, 2027 – March 31, 2027: 75% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • April 1, 2027 or after: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable
Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, World Youth Day registration, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 180 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted. We highly recommend the purchase of individual travel insurance.

Groups of 40 or more will have a dedicated Verso Ministries Pilgrimage Director and local Korean guide. Groups smaller than 40 will share their Pilgrimage Director and local guide with other groups.

If you have any questions about pilgrimage details, please do not hesitate to contact us at wyd@versoministries.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
Read More

How does Verso Ministries prepare me for my journey?

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. From pre-departure spiritual formation emails and webinars hosted by the Verso trip leader, to providing you with a pilgrim kit to bring with you on your journey, we accompany you through the entire process – before, during, and after the pilgrimage – to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email to answer and assist with any questions you might have.
Read More

What is the latest I can register?

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance – register now and begin your journey!
Read More

Resources

Discover helpful guides and tips to prepare for your pilgrimage and enrich your journey with Verso Ministries.

13 Books for Your Ultimate World Youth Day Reading List

5 Must Visit Catholic Sites in South Korea

Two pilgrims looking out atop a mountain as a metaphor for becoming the best versions of themselves.

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself Through Pilgrimage

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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