World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 61

Youth Day group leaders. Some are common

Pilgrim Age Concerns

sense and others are drawn from experience

Although the title of this event is World Youth

and past mistakes and best practices.

Day, most of the world treats the international
gathering as a “young adult” pilgrimage and

Tour Companies or Do-It-Yourself

many of the international participants in

Pulling together a World Youth Day pilgrimage

Krakó w will be in their twenties. The standard

is a major undertaking and the amount of work

recommended age for this pilgrimage is 16 to

can be daunting. A number of larger pilgrim

35. However, the World Youth Day committee

groups in the United States (such as dioceses,

has allowed pilgrims at young as 13 years of age

apostolic movements, or clusters of parishes)

to register and most pilgrims, regardless of age,

hire a specialized travel company to take care of

have had very positive experiences at World

these details. One advantage of hiring a travel

Youth Days in the past.

company is that, when things go wrong, a travel
company is there to assist you.

However, it should be noted that an increasing
number of U.S. dioceses attending World

Before securing a particular organization or

Youth Day have moved to a policy of bringing

travel company, it is important to check that

young adult pilgrims only (that is, age 18 or

company’s references and financial state.

older) to cut down on the overseas travel risks
and liability, or because they believe the WYD

There is also great flexibility in developing a

message and experience are more suited to the

World Youth Day pilgrimage on your own. The

young adult faith experience. Minors (17 and

overall costs may be less and there are possibly

under) require closer supervision and assistance

more flexible options for transportation,

compared to young adults. Nonetheless, if your

accommodations, and mobility (since you will

diocese, parish, or apostolic movement has

only need to secure a few spots rather than for

decided to bring minors to World Youth Day,

a large contingent). While travel companies will

be sure to get written parental permission and

try to meet individual needs, pulling the trip

any necessary documentation necessary for

together on your own ensures that those needs

transporting minors abroad without their

are met exactly as you and your pilgrims want.

parents or guardians. It will also be good to

Additionally, you can set your own deadlines

help these teens through the movements of the

for payments – and receive information

World Youth Day event, especially if they seem

firsthand from World Youth Day organizers.

geared toward a young adult audience.
59