The last group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered at John F. Kennedy Airport to fly to Poland for World Youth Day on July 25. Despite weather delays, pilgrims remained upbeat and hopeful to live out their faith with millions of other young Catholics.
Snapshots following local pilgrims from Brooklyn and Queens to Warsaw International Airport and onto the road for the opening Mass of World Youth Day.
Walking into the Auschwitz concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Stephanie Dalton of SS. Simon and Jude parish, Gravesend, felt a chill along her spine. She called it the spirit of those who died at the hands of Nazis over 70 years ago.
Scenes from the opening Mass for World Youth Day at Blonia Park in Krakow, Poland, July 26.
In 1993, Saint John Paul II came to Denver, Colorado, for World Youth Day. It was covered by the media, both Catholic and secular, and by all accounts, it was a peaceful, joyful, inspirational experience.
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Last week, we held a Sending Off Mass for those pilgrims from Brooklyn and Queens who will travel to Poland for World Youth Day Krakow. World Youth Day is a tradition begun by St. John Paul II at the beginning of his Pontificate which has brought great graces to the Church and engendered enthusiasm of our young people for their faith.
The theme of the XXXI World Youth Day is: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Mt 5:7). St. Faustina and St. John Paul II are the patrons of the upcoming WYD in Krakow, Poland, July 26-31.
Follow the diocesan pilgrims on social media using the hashtag #WYDOB.
World Youth Day pilgrims from Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, smile in front of a statue of Pope John Paul II in the parish’s gathering space. They will soon head for this celebration of faith in Krakow, Poland.
In the final week before heading to Krakow, Poland, for World Youth Day (WYD), local pilgrims met with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio to pray and go over final preparations. The official diocesan contingent is comprised of 400-pilgrims, including 23 priests and three bishops.
