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.
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.
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.
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.
Get the most out of your efforts to gather your group and raise money with support, custom designs, and media kits from Verso.
Airfare to and from Portugal, ground transportation, and handling of all travel logistics are completely taken care of by Verso.
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.
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!
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.
All breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are included with your package.
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.
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:
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
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
Optional Post-WYD Extensions
Materials to help unpack the experience
Shared media of the trip
Evaluation and review process
Join us for a free webinar series designed for group leaders at any stage of the discernment process.
The long awaited World Youth Day 2023 dates are finally here! Let’s start planning together!
From experiencing the unity of the church to a sacred encounter with Christ, here’s why you’ll want to consider heading to World Youth Day with Verso Ministries.
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.
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.
Your journey begins with your flight to Portugal. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of Lisbon, along with a Welcome Mass and Dinner.
Before WYD begins, visit one of the world’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.
Spend the day touring Lisbon, then take part in the opening Mass for World Youth Day that evening.
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.
The Pope arrives on this day! He will deliver his welcome address that afternoon before another evening of music, shows, and special events.
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.
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!).
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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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
