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

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

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Pope Francis arrived in Poland for the celebration of World Youth Day Krakow 2016. He was greeted at the “St John Paul II” International Airport in Balice-Kraków. Following his arrival, he met with Authorities at Wawel Castle in Krakow. Below, find the full text of his address: Mr President, Honourable Authorities, ...read more