At least 225 young people from Quebec will be part of the Mission Jeunesse delegation to the next international World Youth Day that will take place in Panama from January 22-27, 2019.

Since its creation by Pope John Paul II in 1985, World Youth Day has been lived in the spirit of a pilgrimage, because, it goes without saying, World Youth Day is not just a trip but a spiritual journey!

“To prepare ourselves for World Youth Day, we decided to focus on three themes: fraternity, where we get to know each other as a group, finance, where we do fundraising to be able to take this trip, and spiritual preparation, when we get together for moments of prayer, sharing, and to be truly ready for this voyage” explains Doris Tudor, leader of Youth in Action (Jeunesse en action) in Montreal North.

During the prayer vigil on the solemnity of Christ the King, Archbishop Lépine sent on mission all the young people who are signed up to attend World Youth Day, Panama in January 2019.

“Like Mary who is joyfully willing, do not be afraid, announce the power of God without fear” said the Archbishop of Montreal while blessing the multitude of pilgrims in attendance.

“Participating in World Youth Day is a chance to experience an encounter with Christ in the company of the Pope and other young people from all over the world in a spirit of contemplation and festivity! World Youth Day is the ideal occasion to escape from feeling that you are alone in your faith, and to share with other young people from every continent”, he added.

As the departure approaches, the excitement is building for Normand Rodriguez from Saint-Gilbert parish in Montreal: “This will be my first time experiencing World Youth Day. I think I will have a great time there with the other young people who share my faith! Spiritually, I hope to grow because of the experience, and I hope to come home from there with my faith strengthened, and lots of energy to share the faith here!”

More than a dozen groups from several dioceses throughout Quebec will be travelling with the Mission Jeunesse delegation.

World Youth Day takes place every three years. The last WYD was celebrated in Krakow in July of 2016. This year marks the first time World Youth Day will be held on Central American soil.

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