It all started back in 1983, the Holy year of the Redemption, when Pope John Paul II decided there should be a cross near the main altar in Saint Peter's Basilica that could be seen by everyone. After this desire was carried out and the year came to an end the Pope entrusted the cross to the youth of the world. He addressed the youth, “My dear young people, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the Cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity. And announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption.” The youth did as the Pope requested and took the cross to the San Lorenzo Youth Centre and that was where it would stay when it was not on pilgrimage.

In 1984, the youth took the cross to Munich, Germany for Katholikentag and then to Lourdes, Paray-le-Monial and other places in France. From there the cross went back to Germany and then to Czechoslovakia as a symbol of communion with the Pope. In 1985 upon the Pope's request the youths took the cross to Prague. That year was then proclaimed International Youth Year and 300,000 young people met with the Pope in Saint Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. In December of that year, the Pope announced an annual World Youth Day that would begin on the following Palm Sunday.

Although the cross was taken from place to place throughout the years the celebration of World Youth Day was set to only occur every 2 to 3 years being held in such places as Rome (1985), Buenos Aires (1987), Santiago de Compostela (1989), Czestechowa (1991), Denver (1993), Manila (1995), Paris (1997), Rome (2000), Toronto (2002), Cologne (2005) and Sydney (2008).

Today, World Youth Day has become an unforgettable evangelical pilgrimage as youths from all over the world come together in a unity of different cultures sharing one common factor, their love of the Lord. As the 2008 celebration came towards its end the Pope announced the location of the 26th WYD celebration, Madrid, Spain. This event is set to begin on Aug. 16th and end on the 21st and will be the second time it is held in Spain. The Pope ended Mass by saying to the youths, “The lord is asking you to be prophets of the new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the father and building a future of hope for all humanity.”

In keeping with tradition we here at Classic Pilgrimages will be working diligently to put together exciting programs for this very momentous event. We encourage all persons interested in group/individual tours to contact us as soon as possible to register for our Priority Interest List. Space will be confirmed and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to the preliminary itineraries outlined in the following pages, Classic Pilgrimages will operate any customized itinerary for groups of 15 or more. Please contact us with your plans at your earliest convenience and we will be happy to design an personalized itinerary for you.

WYD 2011 Registration Information - Needs To Be Purchased Seperately

All WYD 2011 participants need to register for World Youth Day with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The World Youth Day office will send participants a registration package including meal options, Local public transportation information, as well as information on local attractions and general information related to WYD activities. Details will be available from the World Youth Day Office at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org). You may reach them via e-mail at wyd@usccb.org or by fax at (202) 541-3176.

Registration will begin in early 2010.

Estimated cost of WYD 2011 registration package will be available in the fall of 2009.

Visa Information

US Citizens do not need a visa for Spain.

All others need to check entry requirements with the Spanish Consulate. Please visit their website at http://www.spainconsul-ny.org/ or contact them at (212) 355-4080

Click here for our World Youth Day Preliminary Programs!