WYDUSA News & Updates

WYDUSA represents the efforts of the USCCB to connect US pilgrims, who celebrate stateside or abroad, to each international World Youth Day, to enable them to grow and participate in the celebration of youth by the universal Church.

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World Youth Day USA Store
These t-shirts, water bottles, journals, prayer cards, hats, and more are available to pilgrims celebrating abroad and stateside, to unite them across continents in their pilgrimages.

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World Youth Day Updates and Information

Latest News in WYD Travel: Immunizations and Visa Extension

Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revised its immunization requirements. US citizens are no longer required to present evidence of their measles vaccination to be allowed entry into Panama.

For more information on general vaccination guidelines, check the CDC website, which specifies the different immunization requirements based on other Panama locations travelers will be visiting.

The Local Organizing Committee has announced an extension of the deadline for the visa application process to participate at WYD Panama 2019!

New Deadline: December 14, 2018.

More Questions? Contact the International Relations Department.
 

Pope Francis' Official Schedule for World Youth Day 2019

On November 20, 2018, the Holy See announced Pope Francis's official agenda for his apostolic visit to Panama for WYD 2019.

The press release from the local organizing committee has more details about each of the events.

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Resources for Leaders and Pilgrims

Guides for Pastoral Leaders

These guides are resources to assist bishops, group leaders, and pilgrims in their preparation for WYD 2019.

World Youth Day USA International Pilgrim Leaders Guide: A guidebook for any pastoral leader coordinating a group of youth or young adults traveling to the international World Youth Day events in Panama in January 2019.

World Youth Day USA Stateside Pilgrim Leaders Guide: A guidebook for any pastoral leader coordinating a stateside celebration for youth or young adults in their local parish, diocese, campus, or apostolic movement in January 2019.

Pilgrim Year of Preparation Spiritual Resources
 

Find the Pilgrim Year of Preparation Calendar, Sites of Catholic Heritage in the U.S.A., Patron Saints of WYDUSA, and the WYDUSA Official Prayer all at this spiritual resource page.

WYDUSA Official Logo

We encourage you to use the WYDUSA official logo to promote WYD, but please keep in mind these terms and conditions.

WYDUSA National Pilgrim Gathering in Panama

Location, time, and other details TBA

Pope Francis 2018 Message to Young People

USCCB Staff Offers Presentation on WYD's Impact in the U.S.A.

Read the 2014 report HERE

About the WYDUSA Logo

 

World Youth Day Alumni Network

Are you an alumni of a past World Youth Day?  

Register to be part of the National WYDUSA Alumni Network.

 

For the most current updates, visit our Facebook and Twitter pages

What is WYDUSA?

"We must never forget that World Youth Days are not 'firework displays,' flashes of enthusiasm that are an end in themselves; rather, they are stages of a long journey, begun in 1985, at the initiative of Pope John Paul II." (Pope Francis, Angelus message in St. Peter's Square, August 4, 2013 shortly after WYD Rio)

The USCCB endeavors to update the Church in the United States on the "long journey" that continues after WYD – for young people, their leaders, and "alumni" of past encounters – in the everyday experiences of faith, all of which point toward Christ and the Gospel. Seen from this perspective, then, the international World Youth Days are moments where pilgrims gather together in one place every three years to share those lived experiences, learn from one another, renew their commitment to Christ and the Church, and hear from their shepherd, the Holy Father, so that they might be inspired to continue the journey and change the world.

This summer, in preparation for the next international WYD encounter in Panama in 2019, we begin a "Countdown to Panama (the days, hours, and minutes will count down at www.wydusa.org). While January may seem a long way to go, the wait reminds us that the best things in life are rarely rushed – and often best experienced with good discernment, time, and anticipation. Let us take this time to prepare spiritually, mentally, and physically for the international pilgrimage next year to Panama City, Panama. 

Use this flier to inform your parish and other communities about WYDUSA

WYDUSA National Pilgrim Gathering in Panama

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will be organizing a special event in Panama during the World Youth Day week for WYD pilgrims from the United States of America. Exact details will be finalized this summer.

The USCCB will also have an on-site concierge service in Panama, where pilgrim leaders can check-in during their time in Panama for information, concerns, and questions. More details on this will be forthcoming.
 

Stateside World Youth Days

Not everyone is able to travel to Panama for World Youth Day. For this reason, we highly encourage local parishes and/or dioceses to consider hosting "stateside" World Youth Day activities in late January 2019, for those youth and young adults who are unable to attend WYD in Panama, as well as friends and families of international pilgrims.

In this way, all young people from the United States will be united as WYDUSA pilgrims. This includes those who will be present in Panama with the Holy Father as well as those participating in their local area and via social media.

 

Still to come....

• Pilgrimage Prayer Guide

• 2019 Bishop Catechists

 

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If you have any concerns or questions about WYD, contact the WYDUSA Office, coordinated by staff at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington, D.C., at 202-541-3044 or email wyd@usccb.org; and continue to check back in for updates via the WYDUSA website, www.wydusa.org or Twitter at www.twitter.com/wydusa/.