For Group Leaders

World Youth Day
Lisbon 2023

JULY 29 - AUGUST 7, 2023

Take your group on a life-changing trip to World Youth Day in beautiful Lisbon. Our comprehensive travel package, combined with expert travel leadership and spiritual direction, means you can have a singular focus on your ministry.  

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Expert-Led, Spiritually Rich: Make the Most of Your Group’s WYD Experience

When it comes to World Youth Day, just getting there is not enough. The travel logistics, hotel selections, guides, and planning all make a huge difference in your WYD experience!

With past WYD experience, and as experts in Catholic pilgrimage, we know what it takes to make a trip truly exceptional. It’s why we travel to the host site multiple times in advance, select the best hotels that will put your group in the heart of the action, and offer dedicated guides for the trip.

Most of all, our entire mission is to minister to group leaders like you. It’s why we call ourselves a ministry, not a pilgrimage company! We want to enable you and your group to grow closer to God through every experience. 

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A Comprehensive, Full-service
Package

Rest easy knowing we’ve got everything taken care of. From the initial planning, to after you
return home, we’ve got you covered. 
Verso’s WYD program includes: 

The Best, Closest Hotels 

Always be close to the action by staying in centrally-located hotels that will have you rested and ready for each day’s full schedule. We have options for every budget.

Prep and Plan Trips

Get to know picturesque Lisbon before the big week! Go with Verso and other group leaders to get comfortable with every aspect of the trip beforehand.

Fundraising and Promotional Support

Get the most out of your efforts to gather your group and raise money with support, custom designs, and media kits from Verso.

Flights and Transportation

Airfare to and from Portugal, ground transportation, and handling of all travel logistics are completely taken care of by Verso. 

FREE Leader Registrations

Our standard package includes 1 FREE leader registration for every 10 full-paying pilgrims. Take your priest, sponsor a pilgrim, or use it for yourself - It’s our way to make sure that WYD is accessible to as many pilgrims as possible.

Day in Fatima

Our standard itinerary includes a full day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, including Mass. You can’t go all the way to Portugal and miss out on Fatima!

Dedicated WYD Guide

Make sure you don’t miss a second of everything that’s happening at WYD. A dedicated guide will ensure you’re always up to speed on what’s going on and the different opportunities for you and your group.

Most Meals

All breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are included with your package.

So Much More!

Contact us for all the glorious details

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FREE RESOURCE

Group Leader Webinar Series

Get free access to our Group Leader Webinar Series, designed for leaders at any stage of the discernment process. The series offers a chance to get the information you need to get the ball rolling for your group.

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Your Guide Through Every Stage of the Journey

Helping you launch a successful pilgrimage long before WYD begins, and well after it ends is our specialty. Discover how we minister to your group throughout the entire journey: 

Before

Prep and Plan Trips to Lisbon

Marketing materials and support

Custom-designed graphics

Pilgrims can register and pay directly with us

Fundraising kits to help your pilgrims afford this opportunity

Flight arrangements

Videos, blogs, and webinars to help your pilgrims prepare both physically and spiritually

During

WYD packet pickup

Trained Verso Guides

Centrally-located hotels

Airport/hotel transfers

Most meals

24/7 on-site Verso staff support, including staff doctor and chaplain

USA swag to trade at WYD events

After

Optional Post-WYD Extensions

Materials to help unpack the experience

Shared media of the trip

Evaluation and review process

The Latest WYD News and Updates

Solo or small groups

WYD Open Enrollment

Are you interested in traveling to World Youth Day solo or in a small group? Learn more about our Open Enrollment WYD Pilgrimage, designed for individuals or groups of 14 or less.

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Recommended Itinerary

JULY 29 - AUGUST 7, 2023

Experience World Youth Day to the fullest, including a day at Fatima

Note: Your exact pilgrimage dates may differ due to special requests, add-ons, and available flight schedules.

Days 1 & 2

Depart Home, Arrive in Portugal

Your journey begins with your flight to Portugal. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon, along with a Welcome Mass and Dinner.

Day 3

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

Before WYD begins, visit one of the world’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. 

Day 4

Lisbon, WYD Opening Mass

Spend the day touring Lisbon, then take part in the opening Mass for World Youth Day that evening. 

Day 5

WYD Activities, Shows, Music

Catechetical sessions with participating bishops are on the docket for the morning, with prayer and reconciliation during the afternoon. An exciting evening of shows, music, and fellowship follows. 

Day 6

Prayer Service, Welcome from the Pope

The Pope arrives on this day! He will deliver his welcome address that afternoon before another evening of music, shows, and special events. 

Day 7

WYD Activities, Stations of the Cross

A day of catechetical sessions, shows, music, and prayer is followed that evening by the opportunity to contemplate the Stations of the Cross with the Pope.

Day 8

Walking Pilgrimage, Prayer Vigil, Sleep Under the Stars

The day begins with a walking pilgrimage to the vigil site. That evening, attend a candlelit vigil service with the Pope and sleep under the stars (rain or shine!).

Days 9 & 10

Closing Mass with the Pope, Return Home

Celebrate the closing Mass with the Pope and learn who will be the next host diocese of World Youth Day. That evening is a farewell dinner for all Verso pilgrims before heading home the next morning.

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Extend Your Journey

Want some extra time to explore all that Portugal has to offer? Or discover other nearby
pilgrimage highlights like Rome, Lourdes, or the Camino? Extend your journey with one of
our pre- or post-extensions.

Click each image below to explore your options:

Portugal Shrines

Camino, Spain

Lourdes, France

Rome, Italy

Madrid, Spain

Custom Itinerary

“It is my pleasure to recommend Verso Ministries as a faith-filled, Christ-centered Catholic pilgrimage company. Their mission is to help people grow closer to God, and that shows in every aspect of the Verso pilgrimage experience. Their team is friendly, caring, and focused on personalized service. If you want to organize or go on a pilgrimage, travel with Verso Ministries. You'll be in good hands."
Bishop Kevin Rhoades
Bishop Kevin RhoadesDiocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend (IN)
“World Youth Day can be a transformative experience for people of faith, but it can also be overwhelming in its scale and the chaos of bringing together that many people in one place. With Verso Ministries as our guide, so many of the details and logistics were taken care of that our pilgrims could focus on the reason for the journey: an encounter with Jesus Christ in the life of the universal Church.”
Rev. Eric Augenstein, Chaplain, Vocations
Rev. Eric Augenstein, Chaplain, Vocations Director, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
"As the leader of a group traveling to World Youth Day with Verso, I most appreciated their pre-pilgrimage formation. For weeks/months leading up to our travel, Verso sent us email reflections about the faith, WYD, and the city we were visiting to prepare us for the trip. This made the trip, tours, and experiences incredibly more valuable on the ground. This is not something I’ve seen in other pilgrimage companies, and for that reason (and many others) I would use Verso again!"
Madison Cipoletti
Madison CipolettiGroup Leader, Director of Young Adult and Campus Ministry, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
"Very faith-filled and professional pilgrimage company! Went on WYD in 2019 with Verso. They are incredibly detail oriented. I didn't have to worry about any logistics so I was able to experience the pilgrimage more fully. I definitely plan on using them in the future."
Liam Hosty
Liam HostyPilgrim, World Youth Day Panama 2019
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Portugal Shrines

2 days / 1 night | Available pre or post

Visit some of the most notable churches and holy sites in Portugal. Your journey will include Holy Miracle Church of St. Stevens in Santarem, where in the 13th-century Eucharistic miracle took place; two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the over 630 year old Domincian Monastery of St. Mary of the Victory in Batalha and the Monastery of Alcobaça, home to the Cisterian order and magnificent stained glass windows; and of course, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, where you will walk in the footsteps of the Fatima children – Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, contemplate your own fiat to God in the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, and celebrate Mass in the Chapel of the Apparitions. 

Camino, Spain

Up to 8 days / 7 nights | Available pre or post

There is beauty in the simplicity of walking and the silence of discernment, both of which are found on the Camino de Santiago – one of the oldest pilgrim trails. This centuries old practice is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to discern your questions and ponder God’s will – it’s a path waiting to welcome you. Throughout the 100 kilometer hike across the Spanish countryside, you’ll discover breathtaking views, swallow valleys, simple churches, and new friendships.

Lourdes, France

5 days / 4 nights | Available pre or post

The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is the most well-known Marian apparitions, and the story of St. Bernadette and miraculous healings which take place here are examples of God’s restorative grace. Spend time walking in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, the young girl to whom Our Lady appeared, while also exploring the Shrine and taking time to participate in the many devotions – light a candle at the Grotto, pray in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, immerse yourself in the Baths, or sit quietly with God in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Each evening, grab a candle, bring your intentions, and join the International Rosary Candlelight Procession. 

Rome, Italy

4 days / 3 nights | Available pre or post

Visiting Rome is a uniquely Catholic experience – the Pope, the churches, the saints, the art – it’s one breathtaking moment after another. In “the Eternal City,” discover the Vatican Museums, gaze upon Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, descend below St. Peter’s Basilica on the Scavi Tour (pending), explore the major basilicas including St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta), all while taking in the cultural highlights and mouth-watering cuisine – hello, pasta and pizza! 

Madrid, Spain

4 days / 3 nights | Available pre or post

Get acquainted with the capital of Spain, Madrid, by enjoying the beautiful architecture and rich history. Take a moment to step outside of the bustling city with a day pilgrimage to Avila and Toledo. There, you will be surrounded by the life and holy witness of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Avila is a chance to immerse yourself in St. Teresa’s history, including the convent she founded in 1569 where she completed her spiritual work, The Interior Castle. Toledo will draw you into contemplation as you ponder St. John’s conviction to remain to God’s call in his life amidst great suffering and trial. 

Custom Itineraries

Don’t see your desired extension here?

We can customize your World Youth Day itinerary to fit exactly with your group’s needs. Please contact us or set up a call to get the planning started today.

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