From July 22 through August 3, fifteen high school youth and nine adult chaperones (twenty-four total) will embark on a pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland for World Youth Day. This event takes place every three years in different locations around the world. It will be attended by an estimated 2 million people including young people (youth and young adults), adult chaperones, Religious Sisters, Deacons, Priests, Bishops, Cardinals, and the Pope.
Krakow, Poland is the hometown of Saint John Paul II, who is known as the Pope of Divine Mercy. His hometown was chosen for this World Youth Day precisely because this pilgrimage will take place during the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.
Matt Blake, Coordinator of Middle School Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, is coordinating this event and has started a blog. The purpose is to help the pilgrims spiritually prepare for the trip and also to keep the parish informed on what the group is doing and offer prayers.