World Youth Day Through the Years: 5 Highlights
The global celebration started by Pope John Paul II has been uniting and inspiring people of all ages for decades.
Take your group on a life-changing trip to World Youth Day in beautiful Seoul, South Korea. Our comprehensive travel package, combined with expert travel leadership and spiritual direction, means you can have a singular focus on your ministry.
We love South Korea. In fact, we have already led a pilgrimage there.
We are the only Catholic pilgrimage company that has already led pilgrims to these beautiful shrines, delved into the heroic stories of the saints and blesseds, and experienced first-hand the powerful witness of the South Korean Church. We can’t wait to bring you there.
In addition, with past WYD experience and as experts in Catholic pilgrimage, we know what it takes to make this trip truly exceptional. When it comes to World Youth Day, just getting there is not enough. The travel logistics, hotel selections, knowledge of the country, and planning all make a huge difference!
Most of all, our entire mission is to minister to group leaders like you. It’s why we call ourselves a ministry, not a tour company. We want to enable you and your group to grow closer to God through every experience.
Depart the U.S. and begin your WYD journey
Day -1 | Friday | Depart US |
Day 0 | Saturday | Arrive in Seoul Incheon International Airport Welcome Mass & Dinner in Incheon Overnight in Incheon |
Day 1 | Sunday | Day trip to Chon Jin Am Overnight in Suwon |
Day 2 | Monday | Day trip to Mirinae Transfer back to Seoul to meet up with the rest of the group Overnight in Seoul |
Day -2 | Thursday | Depart US |
Day -1 | Friday | Arrive in Seoul Incheon International Airport Welcome Mass & Dinner in Incheon Overnight in Incheon |
Day 0 | Saturday | Morning: Solmoe Afternoon: Haemi Overnight in Cheonan |
Day 1 | Sunday | Day trip to Chon Jin Am Overnight in Suwon |
Day 2 | Monday | Day trip to Mirinae Transfer back to Seoul to meet up with the rest of the group Overnight in Seoul |
Day -4 | Tuesday | Depart US |
Day -3 | Wednesday | Arrive in Seoul Incheon International Airport Welcome Mass & Dinner in Incheon Overnight in Incheon |
Day -2 | Thursday | Morning: Solome Afternon: Haemi Overnight in Cheonan |
Day -1 | Friday | Drive to Hanti Evening/overnight in Gyeongju |
Day 0 | Saturday | Full day in Gyeongju Overnight in Busan |
Day 1 | Sunday | Full day in Busan Overnight in Busan |
Day 2 | Monday | Morning in Busan Transfer back to Seoul and meet up with the rest of the group Overnight in Seoul |
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. 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.
Of the 103 Saints of South Korea, 44 were martyred at Seosomun, along with 27 of the 124 Blesseds. This area was the official execution grounds during the Joseon Dynasty. During the Sinyu Persecution (1801), Gihae Persecution (1839), and Byeongin Persecution (1866-1873), martyrs were brutally killed here by the sword.
Today, this place that saw countless men and women receive the martyr’s crown of glory has been transformed into a park. The Martyrdom Monument depicts brutal yet sacred scenes of their deaths.
Originally a Catholic village during the persecutions, this area is now a shrine and the final burial place of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon. Also buried in the chapel are Father Andrew’s mother Ursula, Bishop Ferréol, who ordained him, and Lee Min-sik, who risked his life to bring the body of Father Andrew to Mirinae.
The birthplace of Catholicism in Korea, it was here that Yi Byeok and others began searching for the truth, studying smuggled books from China. For fourteen years, they searched, studied, and then practiced it. They gathered to celebrate the Sabbath, with Yi Byeok leading them in worship and study. Inside the grounds is a 15-meter tall Virgin Mary statue and a cemetery of the five founding fathers of the Catholic Church in Korea, including Yi Byeok, Jeong Yak-jong, St. Paul Jeong Ha-sang and St. Augustine Yu Jin-gil.
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 the lay of the land 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 the host country, ground transportation, and handling of all travel logistics are completely taken care of by Verso.
Our standard package includes a tiered system for free leader registrations. 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.
Make sure you don’t miss a second of everything that’s happening at WYD. A dedicated pilgrimage director will ensure you’re always up to speed on what’s going on and the opportunities available for you and your group.
All breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are included with your package.
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 Seoul
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 pilgrimage directors
Centrally-located hotels
Airport/hotel transfers
Most meals
24/7 on-site Verso staff support, and chaplain
Optional Post-WYD Extensions
Materials to help unpack the experience
Shared media of the trip
Evaluation and review process
The global celebration started by Pope John Paul II has been uniting and inspiring people of all ages for decades.
There’s so much that goes into planning a pilgrimage, but remember, you’re not alone. We’re with you every step of the way.
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.
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