Important WYD Updates

1) We have news about visas. The Visa Fee will be waived, and we will not have to make the formal visa application that is required of most tourists to the country. There will, however, be a form that we will need to submit to their consulate. This form has not yet been published. We will distribute it as soon as we have access to it.

2) We are officially registered for Days in the Diocese in Sao Paulo. This year they are calling this part of the pilgrimage "missionary days."

3) Don't forget about the Diocesan WYD gathering on December 27. We will be at Sacred Heart Church in Philip.

4) The Next payment ($549) is due January 15.

5) The location of the Pilgrimage Mass with the Holy Father has been selected. This will be in the western zone of the city at a location called Guaratiba. Pilgrims will make their way to this location on foot from three landing points. Each route will require a walk of about 8 miles. Their will be service islands placed in locations along the way. Departure from the area after the Papal Mass will feature a special shuttle service.

Visas

From Susan Safford:

+++++

Dear WYD pilgrims,

Peace in Christ! Thanks for staying on top of everything for WYD! There have been some questions regarding Visas.  We are still investigating that question, so please just wait to hear from either myself or Fr. Brian Christensen regarding what to do about visas.  If you want the "official" word regarding any WYD information for our group, contact one of the two of us.

For now, you don't need to do anything about Visas.  My office will let everyone know what to do and when, so don't worry about it until we tell you.  Keep watching your email and the facebook page, and we'll keep you posted there on all the information you need.

In the meantime, though, we have begun to register individual pilgrims for WYD, but we can't register you until we have a photocopy of your passport in hand, as well as any information that you are missing from your application.  So, please turn these items in ASAP.

Again, feel free to contact me at any time for information.

Thanks everyone! And God bless your preparations for this amazing pilgrimage!

Official WYD Hymn Released

Below is the official WYD Hymn in its original Portuguese.

Loosely translated (by Google) the song says:

I'm always marked
with the sign of the Redeemer,
that on the mountain, Corcovado,
embraces the world with His love.

(Chorus)

Christ invites us:
"Come, my friends!"
Christ sends us:
"Be missionaries!"

Youth spring:
hope of dawn;
who hears this call
welcomes the gift of believing!
We wish it were the earth,
the whole world was like that!
No to war outside the hatred,
Only the good and peace to have no end.

From west to east,
Our house has no door,
our land has no fence,
or limits our love!
Scattered throughout the world,
retain the same ardor.
It's Your grace that sustains us
keeps us faithful unto Thee, O Lord!

Given your call:
"Go and make, among nations,
a new people, in unity,
their hearts to me! "
Advertise Your Gospel
to everyone is to transform
the old man in new man
in the new world that is coming.

Official World Youth Day Song

One of the hallmark traditions of WYD is the release of the official World Youth Day Song.  It was recently announced that the song for this pilgrimage is to be revealed on September 14.





To whet your appetite, here are a few samples of songs from the past.

WYD Rome:




WYD Denver:

Payment Due September 15

From Susan Safford:

Dear WYD Pilgrims,

Praised be Jesus Christ!  Hope all of you are doing well, and that your spiritual and fundraising preparations for our upcoming pilgrimage are going smoothly.  Be assured of prayers as you continue on this journey.

This email is simply to remind you that the next WYD payment of $549.00 is due on September 15, if you have not already paid it.

At this time, your account should total at least $1997.00.

If you need an update on your account status, please feel free to contact me.

Offical WYD Prayer

Oh, Father, You sent Your Eternal Son to save the world and chose men and women, through Him, with Him and in Him, to proclaim the Good News to all nations. Grant us the graces necessary so that joy may shine in the faces of all young people, the joy of being, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evangelists the Church needs in the Third Millennium.

Oh Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms on the top of Corcovado welcomes all people. In Your paschal offering, You brought us by the Holy Spirit to an encounter of sonship with the Father. Young people, who are fed by Eucharist, hear You in Your Word and meet You as their brother, need your infinite mercy to run the paths of the world missionary-disciples of the New Evangelization.

Oh Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, with the splendor of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, send Your Light to all young people so that, driven by their experience of World Youth Day, they may bring to the four corners of the world faith, hope and charity, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world.

Amen !

Pilgrimage Expectations

As we prepare for our pilgrimage to Rio, pilgrims and other interested parties should keep in mind a variety of diocesan expectations.  Among these is attendance of WYD Preparatory Gatherings.  Details for these gatherings are as follows:

DIOCESAN WORLD YOUTH DAY GATHERINGS

Friday, December 28 - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Sacred Heart Parish in Philip, SD*

Friday, May 31 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City, SD*

Likewise, we hope that the pilgrims are making their own spiritual preparation for the trip.  As per our first WYD gathering, pilgrims should at least be doing the following as a way of preparing for this spiritual journey:

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

1) Spend twenty minutes in personal prayer each day.

2) Adopt some devotional practice such as the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or the Liturgy of the Hours.  This devotion can be included as part of one's daily personal prayer.  A how-to guide to some of these devotions can be found to the right of this post.

3) Aside from Sunday Mass, attend at least one other Mass during the course of the week.

4) Go to confession at least once each month (A thorough guide to this sacrament can be found under the links section to the right of this post). 

Know that the pilgrimage leaders are praying for the success of the pilgrimage, and that each pilgrim will be richly blessed by God as a result of this journey.

* Pilgrims desiring to be absent from one the Diocesan WYD Gatherings need to contact Fr. Brian Christensen well in advance of the event requesting his permission to be absent.  Other questions should be directed to Susan Safford. 

Cancellation Policy

Carefully read the registration form and the tour conditions as enrollment in and payment for any program offered herein constitutes acceptance and agreement to be bound by the terms thereof.

DEPOSITS – CANCELLATIONS - REFUNDS: The registration deposit of $350 per person is required by March 15, 2012 to confirm tour acceptance and will be applied to total price of program selected. Pilgrim’s names not required at this time. Full Payment is due by March 15, 2013. If full payment is not received by March 15, 2013; the passenger will be automatically cancelled.

After initial deposit is made, $350 cancellation fee applies for any cancellation received in writing up to July 15, 2012. $700 cancellation fee applies for any cancellation received in writing between July 16, 2012 and December 15, 2012. $700 cancellation fee + Airline cancellation and Supplier cancellation fees apply for any cancellation received in writing between December 16, 2012 and March 15, 2013.

Name substitutions will be permitted after registration up to February 15, 2013. NO REFUND is possible under any circumstances for cancellations made after March 15, 2013. New Pilgrims may be added at full price subject to space availability by March 15, 2013. Receipt of deposit for any partial payment of a tour constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed herein. TOUR INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE AND STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. OUR CANCELLATION POLICY APPLIES TO INDIVIDUAL PASSENGERS, AND NOT FOR MASS CANCELLATIONS. IN CASE OF MASS CANCELLATIONS, CANCELLATION FEES IMPOSED BY SUPPLIERS WILL ALSO APPLY. All claims must be in writing. No refunds for services or sightseeing rendered and not used by tour members. In the event that departures do not reach the minimum 15 persons prior to departure, The Catholic Pilgrim Office, Inc. / Quest Travel Group, Inc. reserves the right to cancel, withdraw or change the tour in whole or in part at any time. The sole obligation of The Catholic Pilgrim Office, Inc. / Quest Travel Group, Inc. is to refund payments received in connection herewith if not acceptable to tour members. All cancellations must be in writing. 

See the Terms and Conditions on your enrollment form for full details.

Diocesan WYD Links

WYD Registration Form for Catholic Pilgrim Office:

http://rapidcitydiocese.org/Documents/Youth/WYD%20Reg.pdf

WYD Registration Form for Diocese of Rapid City:

http://rapidcitydiocese.org/Documents/Youth/2013%20WYD%20Application%20&%20Liability%20Forms.pdf

WYD Pilgrimage Brochure:

http://rapidcitydiocese.org/Documents/Youth/WYD%20Brochure.pdf

WYD Payment Schedule

Payment Schedule

March 15, 2012
$350 minimum deposit.
 

May 15, 2012
$549
 

July 15, 2012
$549

September 15, 2012
$549

January 15, 2013
$549 

March 15, 2013
Full payment due of Remaining Balance

World Youth Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tue, July 16: RAPID CITY - DENVER.
We depart by bus to the Denver airport.

Day 2 Wed, July 17: DENVER - BRAZIL.
Arrive in Denver by bus. Depart the US for
Brazil. Our flight includes meals, drinks, and
in-flight entertainment.

Day 3-6 Thu - Sun, July 18-21: DAYS IN THE
DIOCESE - SÃO PAULO. Meet and greet at
the airport in São Paulo and transfer (by host
diocese) for Days In the Diocese.

Day 7 Mon, July 22: SÃO PAULOAPARECIDA–
RIO DE JANEIRO. After
breakfast, we leave our host diocese and
drive to Rio De Janeiro. On the way, we stop
at Aparecida - home to and named after the
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of
Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil declared
so by Pope Pius XI in 1929. Pope Benedict XVI
delivered a speech here in May, 2007.
Afterwards, we continue on & check in to our
simple accommodations in Rio (arranged by
WYD Council.) The rest of the day is at
leisure.

Day 8 Tue July 23: RIO DE JANEIRO- WYD.
Today is at leisure to explore the city. This
evening, we attend the opening ceremonies
of World Youth Day 2013.

Day 9 Wed, July 24: WYD. Catechesis
(teaching) sessions in the morning and festival
events in the afternoon and evening.

Day 10 Thu, July 25: WYD. Catechesis
(teaching) sessions in the morning. Arrival and
welcome of the Holy Father in the afternoon
and evening.

Day 11 Fri, July 26: WYD. Catechesis
(teaching) sessions in the morning. Stations of
the Cross - a re-enactment of our Lord's
Passion and Death in the afternoon and
evening.

Day 12 Sat, July 27: WYD. Pilgrimage walk to
site of Closing Mass, evening Vigil with the
Holy Father and sleep out 'under the stars'.

Day 13 Sun, July 28: WYD. Closing Mass and
concluding events. Overnight at our
accommodations.

Day 14 Mon, July 29: WYD. RIO DE JANEIRO
– DENVER. We transfer to the airport for our
departure from Rio De Janeiro to the US. Upon
arrival, meet our bus for our transfer home -
the end of our Pilgrimage to World Youth Day
2013.