Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults Pilgrimage to Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day 2011 August 12-22, 2011 * The deposit deadline has passed. If you are interested in attending WYD with the Diocese of Gary, contact Kevin Driscoll ASAP: 219-769-9292 x229

Celebrate your faith with youth and young adults from all over the world in prayer, catechesis, informal gatherings, and an amazing pilgrimage through France & Spain on your way to World Youth Day 2011!

International World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Madrid, Spain, and the Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults is organizing a pilgrimage! The all-inclusive package will include all WYD festivities, including opening ceremonies, catechesis, prayer experiences, vigil, and closing liturgy with the Holy Father. Additionally, the group will journey on a memorable pilgrimage with Bishop Melczek leading to Madrid that will include tours, religious formation, liturgy, community building and more.

The estimated cost per person is $3900*, which includes transportation, hotel lodging, tours, and almost all meals, so it’s important to start planning and fund-raising now!

The World Youth Day experience has always been intended for older youth and young adult-aged pilgrims. In most other cultures, our word “youth” generally refers to young adults. That said, “young” people ages 16 through their 30’s are all invited to attend World Youth Day 2011, and young adult Catholics are invited and encouraged to participate in the diocesan trip!

Youth who will be under 18 in August, 2011 must be under the guidance of a chaperone. Parishes interested in sending youth are urged to send an adult chaperone.

* Price subject to travel fluctuations, not to exceed $4000. Price includes R/T air from Chicago, ground transportation, tourist class-superior tourist class hotels with breakfast and dinner daily, WYD lunches on days 6-10, WYD registration fees, tips, taxes, visa. Not Included: meals en route, appr. 2 lunches, items of personal nature including passport fees, souvenirs, etc.

LINK TO OFFICIAL WYD 2011 WEBSITE (now in English!) LINK TO USCCB WYD 2011 WEBSITE BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS INDIVIDUAL INFO FORM (due to Kev by Mar. 1) PRINTER-FRIENDLY ITINERARY FLYER

COMPLETE ITINERARY: DIOCESE OF GARY WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE, 2011 August 12 - Chicago/France: Depart Chicago O'Hare for overnight flight to France. August 13 - Lourdes, France: Arrive Lourdes and Check into your hotel mid afternoon. After lunch take a walk to the Basilica and Grotto for an orientation tour and Mass. There will be a Welcome dinner that evening with the opportunity to participate in the Candlelight Procession for those who are interested and not too tired. August 14 - Lourdes, France:  Start the day with Mass at the Grotto or one of the many chapels. Walking tour of Lourdes and the history of St. Bernadette that will visit sites such as The Cachot, Bernadette's parish church, and the hospice were she made her first communion. After lunch, there will be an opportunity to experience the baths of Lourdes, or participate in the Eucharistic Procession, go to reconciliation, the Way of the Cross or have some private time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This evening, participate in the powerful Candlelight Procession after dinner. August 15 - Lourdes, France/Zaragoza, Madrid, Spain: Depart for Madrid after breakfast via motorcoach. There will be a stop in Zaragoza for lunch and a brief tour of the Basilica. We then continue to Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid, we will check into our hotel and have dinner. Feast of the Assumption Mass. August 16 - Madrid/Avila: After breakfast we depart for Avila, the home of St. Teresa. We will have a half day tour that includes lunch. Return to Madrid for a panoramic tour of this beautiful city. Return to the hotel in time to prepare for the Opening Mass & Ceremonies. Aug 17-19 - Madrid: WYD Events, including catechesis, prayer, music, Reconciliation, Way of the Cross, more. August 20 - Madrid: pilgrimage walk and candlelight vigil with Pope under the stars. Camp overnight under the stars. August 21 - Madrid: Closing Mass with Pope – afternoon free to rest or see Madrid sites. August 22 -  Spain/Chicago: Depart for return to O'Hare

* The deposit deadline has passed. If you are interested in attending WYD with the Diocese of Gary, contact Kevin Driscoll ASAP: 219-769-9292 x229

If you or anyone you know is interested in attending and/or taking a group, please contact Kevin Driscoll as soon as possible!

"We could never afford that!" Read this article, Thoughts on fundraising your way to World Youth Day, written by an experienced WYD fundraiser. ( download/print the article here)

The minimum age for pilgrims is 16 (at the time of pilgrimage). Young adults are especially invited (while “youth” in U.S. language is often associated with adolescents, it is more commonly used to identify college/20-somethings internationally).

For more information, contact Kevin Driscoll, 219-769-9292 x229 or email .