World Youth Day
Seoul 2027

Summer 2027

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.  

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

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.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart U.S.

Depart the U.S. and begin your WYD journey

Day 2 - Arrive in Seoul

  • Arrive at Incheon International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Seoul to check in
  • Celebrate a Welcome Mass with your group and enjoy a Welcome Dinner together

Day 3 - World Youth Day Opening Mass

  • 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 officialy begins with an opening Mass for all pilgrims, celebrated by the Archbishop of Seoul

Day 4 - Catechesis, Youth Festival

  • 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

Day 5 - Catechesis, Papal Welcome

  • Catechesis sessions with fellow pilgrims
  • Welcome the Holy Father to Seoul with a special celebration and prayer service

Day 6 - Catechesis, Stations of the Cross

  • Final catechesis session
  • Pray a communal Stations of the Cross with all WYD pilgrims, led by the Pope

Day 7 - Walking Pilgrimage and Overnight Vigil

  • Journey to the vigil site (typically a 12-15 mile walk) and upon arrival, enjoy various entertainment and prayer opportunities
  • Vigil prayer service and adoration led by the Holy Father
  • Sleep under the stars

Day 8 - WYD Commissioning Mass With the Pope

  • Celebrate Mass with the Holy Father, the concluding event of
  • World Youth Day
    Return to the hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax after a long day

Day 9 - Free Day in Seoul

  • Free day to explore Seoul
  • 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 Daegon (optional add-ons)
  • Farewell dinner as a group

Day 10 - Depart Seoul

  • Depart Seoul for the U.S.

Extension Options

Highlights

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.

Seosomun Martyrs Shrine

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.

Mirinae Shrine

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.

Chon Jin Am

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.

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 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.

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 the host country, ground transportation, and handling of all travel logistics are completely taken care of by Verso. 

FREE Leader Registrations

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.

Dedicated WYD Pilgrimage Director

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.

Most Meals

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

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 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

During

WYD packet pickup

Trained Verso pilgrimage directors

Centrally-located hotels

Airport/hotel transfers

Most meals

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

After

Optional Post-WYD Extensions

Materials to help unpack the experience

Shared media of the trip

Evaluation and review process

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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Get in Touch!

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We’ll get right back to you! A Verso staff member will respond within 24 business hours.

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