Written by Ian Meaden and the  St. Joseph’s Basilica World Youth Day Group. Well another World Youth Day has come and gone. I find for each one I have been to that my experience was always different and there is always something new that I have taken away. Now, I could write a full length blog ...read more

When I arrived a day early, the streets of Krakow were still empty. However, you could tell something special was about to take place. Last minute preparations were overlapping with first small, spontaneous musical performances and youth trickling in with flags from around the world. When our team came together the next day, I could ...read more

[Me alongside 1.8 million pilgrims at the overnight vigil.] Written by Celine Diaz Despite the fact that I was still in my early twenties, I felt extraordinarily old coming into WYD—which was ironic, because this event was obviously for “youth”. Yet somewhere along the way, I seemed to have lost my “youthful vitality” too soon. ...read more

Through the end of July, I had the responsibility of working on the ground in Poland on Salt + Light’s coverage of World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow. I could write many different blog posts on the diverse and beautiful experiences I had there, and I will certainly write a few more. But I want to focus on ...read more

Written by: Katie VanLeeuwen A couple of days ago, while waiting in line for some Polish pierogies, my fellow mission team members and I decided to do as the pilgrims do and strike up a conversation with the people who happened to be standing beside us. In this case, we got to meet Bill and ...read more

At the end of the Angelus Address, last Sunday, at Campus Misericordiae in Krakow, Pope Francis announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in 2019 in Panama City, Panama. As we begin preparations for this exciting next WYD, Salt + Light’s Charles LeBourgeois had the chance to speak with Archbishop José Domingo ...read more

Written by Joseph Ruane The word ‘Catholic’ means ‘Universal’, yet one cannot fully appreciate the universality of the Church until one attends World Youth Day. The vast crowds, multitude of flags and prayerful silences of a Mass with one million or more in attendance are unimaginable until you live and breathe this surreal gathering of ...read more

Written by Ian Meaden  “The lights of the pilgrims outnumbered the stars in the sky.” That is how my friend and fellow pilgrim, Ambrose described the Vigil evening at Campus Misericordiae. Now, I want you all to do me a favour, read ahead the next few of sentences, then close your eyes. Picture in your ...read more

On Sunday, July 31, 2016, Pope Francis met with all of the volunteers that made World Youth Day Krakow 2016 possible. The Holy Father set aside his prepared text and delivered the following remarks: Before returning to Rome, I wanted to meet you and, before all else, to thank each of you for the effort, ...read more

On Sunday, July 31, 2016, the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Francis celebrated the closing Mass for the World Youth Day Krakow 2016 in Poland at Campus Misericordiae. Below, find the full text of his prepared homily: Dear young people, you have come to Krakow to meet Jesus. Today’s Gospel speaks to us of ...read more