World Youth Day 2011
Conceived by Pope John Paul II in 1984, World Youth Day celebrates the opportunity for young people from around the world to deepen and renew faith, broaden perspectives and nurture the human spirit. The experience of traveling together to places of great historical and religious significance is deeply transformative for Catholic youth and leadership. Participants return home with a new sense of their place in a historical tradition, a renewed commitment to their faith and local congregation, stronger bonds with fellow sojourners, and a greater understanding of other cultures.
WYD 2011 - Madrid, Spain
Pope Benedict XVI has extended his invitation for youth to gather in Madrid in prayer for peace and reconciliation and to dedicate their energies to the construction of a more just and more fraternal society.
Illume delights in the idea that at our best, we are all citizens of the world. There are few experiences more moving than exploring other cultures, meeting people of diverse backgrounds and becoming citizens of the world - leading and inspiring respectful and compassionate ways of life. We invite you to join this global community and experience the difference that travel to WYD 2011 can make in transforming perspectives.
Inspiring a Global Community
WYD gatherings make it possible for young people from different lands and cultures to meet together, share diverse perspectives, nurture faith in each other, and gain an appreciation for challenges - both similar and unique - to develop a faith that is authentic, lively and respectful.
As borders and boundaries are crossed to share in the lives of one another, participants engage in experience that foster global community, cultural respect, stewardship of world heritage, and compassionate living. World Youth Day inspires worldly citizenship.
What we bring to the table
The success of a travel experience is defined by the difference between novice and expert travel planning and touring. Throughout the history of the WYD movement, Illume has collaborated with pastoral leaders in parishes, schools, universities and dioceses from around the USA and the world to design unique pilgrimages that allow young people to experience places of great historical and religious significance in conjunction with their participation in WYD events. With over 30 years of experience and expertise, illume offers professional travel and event management programming for mission-driven organizations. Our local teams and affiliates assure your travel experience is positive, safe and transformative.
Journey to places where the spirit moves you
Illume is currently accepting requests for customized group programming in association with WYD 2011. Madrid's location makes it ideal for several thematic educational and spiritual programs, including:
- In the Footsteps of St. Dominic: Southern France and Lourdes (Learn More)
- In the footsteps of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier: Northeast Spain (Learn More)
- The Way of the Pilgrim - Fatima and Santiago de Compostela (Learn More)
- Pilgrimage to Fatima and Avila (Learn More)
- Mystics and Scholars of Spain: Avila and Salamanca (Learn More)
- Mosques-Synagogues-Cathedrals: The Heritage of Three Faiths in Spain (Learn More)
- Healing the Soul and Nurturing Faith: A Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Castille (Learn More)
- Roots of Roman Catholic Heritage - Portugal (Learn More)
- Roots of Roman Catholic Heritage - Rome and Assisi (Learn More)
This is a partial list of many educational and spiritual journeys that can be incorporated into a pre- or post-WYD 2011 pilgrimage. Dates for official WYD activities include:
August 16:
Opening Ceremony
August
17-19: Catechetical Sessions and Other Activities
August 20: Pilgrimage and Vigil
August 21: Papal Mass and Closing Ceremony
Contact us to begin planning your participation in WYD 2011.
Discover the world illumed!