God is Inspiring
Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023, Portugal
Every three years, the Catholic youth of the world (ages 16-35) come together for one incredible week as one body, one faith, one voice.
World Youth Day 2023 will be held in beautiful Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and largest city. Pilgrims will come to celebrate with one another, deepen their faith, hear from the Pope himself, and be inspired.
Discover it For Yourself
Join thousands of young people from around the world as they all come together to witness Christ and learn from his example of how to be bearers of the Gospel to the world.
On Saturday of World Youth Day, walk to the site of an evening prayer vigil and sleep under the stars. Once the morning arrives, attend Mass celebrated by the Pope.
In 1916, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. Today, the Sanctuary of Fatima is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Explore the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, and the Chapel of the Apparitions.
What’s
Included
- A dedicated pilgrimage director
- Catholic chaplain and daily Mass
-
Airport transfer
- Online prep webinar and emailed prep materials
- All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
- Conveniently located hotels in the city center
- Breakfast daily, most lunches and dinners
- World Youth Day registration fees and pilgrim kit pickup
-
On-site medical director
Standard Itinerary
(Itinerary shown does not include flights to/from pilgrimage.)
Lafayette-in-Indiana
A Special Pilgrimage
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima
Journey to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. There you will explore the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, which contains the tombs of the three children who witnessed the Marian Apparition: Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. On the other side of the sanctuary stands the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, the fourth largest Catholic Church in the world. In the heart of the sanctuary, you will see the Chapel of the Apparitions that is built on the site where Our Lady appeared. Follow and pray the stations of the cross on the way to Aljustrel, where the houses of the Shepherd Children are located.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
Kick Off WYD
- Lisbon, WYD Opening Ceremony
Spend the morning touring Lisbon, with opportunities to explore the Church of St. Anthony, where St. Anthony de Padua was born. Right next to this Church stands the Lisbon Cathedral, its official name Santa Maria Maior, which has survived seven natural disasters. Journey to see the Jeronimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site, that is characterized by its elaborate structural details, reflective of the sea exploration that took place during that time period. The Opening Ceremonies for World Youth Day take place that evening, complete with a welcome mass hosted by a local bishop.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
Learn, Grow, Pray
- WYD Activities, Shows, Music
In the morning, participate in catechetical sessions with participating bishops from the area. The afternoon is full of opportunities for prayer and reconciliation, with an evening full of shows, music, and fellowship with all of the youth in attendance.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
The Pope Arrives
- Prayer Service, Welcome from Pope
Today, the Pope arrives! Participate in catechetical sessions in the morning, and attend a prayer service in the afternoon where the Pope will deliver his welcome address. The evening is full of opportunities for prayer, reflection, and reconciliation, as well as music and evening shows.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
Sacred Spaces
- WYD Activities, Stations of the Cross
Catechetical sessions in the morning with participating bishops, with shows, music, prayer, and reconciliation opportunities in the afternoon. In the evening, participate in Stations of the Cross led by the Pope.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
A Night to Remember
- Walking Pilgrimage, Prayer Vigil, Sleep Under the Stars
The day will begin with a walking pilgrimage to the vigil site, with different shows, music, and prayer opportunities in the afternoon. In the evening, attend an evening Vigil prayer service with the Pope. That night, sleep under the stars to prepare for the morning.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
The Final Day
- Closing ceremonies, Mass with Pope
The morning begins the closing ceremonies; morning prayers are led by participating bishops, and Holy Mass is celebrated by the Pope. Once mass is over, the next host diocese for World Youth Day is announced. That evening, walk back to the hotel and attend a farewell dinner.
Accommodations
Accommodations: TBD
Prepare
Once you register, we’ll help you prepare for the journey, logistically and spiritually. In the meantime:
Upcoming Departures
Why Travel With Verso?
- We believe everything is sacred. Not just just the saints and sacraments, the Pope or parishes. God’s present in the city, the country, the food, and the conversation. And we get to explore it all.
- As a ministry, we’re here with expertise in travel, planning, and spiritual direction, to help pilgrims explore the sacred. And everything is sacred.
- Join us to do true Catholic pilgrimage by experiencing everything to its fullest.
