Diocese Day
Prior to World Youth Day 2016 and their meeting with Pope Francis I. young pilgrims will spend several days (20–25 July) in a number of different dioceses throughout Poland, including Wroclaw. Wroclaw's WYD team estimate that the city will be visited by ca. 15 thousand pilgrims from 40 countries, mostly Germany and France, but there are also expected pilgrims from Italy, Spain, Hungary, Ukraine, the US, Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Ghana, Senegal, Australia, Russia, China, Korean and many other countries.
The Wroclaw curia has prepared a diverse programme for the visitors. Each day has been divided in two parts: a morning programme that is held mainly at parishes (service, religious instruction, meetings) and an afternoon part to be held throughout the town (guided tours and WYD attractions for pilgrims and residents alike).
As this year's WYD follow a message from the Gospel of Matthew: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7), Mercy Fests will be held on Thursday, Friday and Sunday in five locations throughout Wroclaw. The events are aimed at bringing the pilgrims and residents together to share their culture and experience. Mercy Fests are all about music and prayer.
Additionally, on Friday, which is Mercy Day, the participants will join in an activity to benefit the local community, including meetings, visits, cultural activities, small favours or assistance in daily chores. WYD participants will also leave a tangible trace behind them: Reconciliation Place in Millenium Park, Nowy Dwór.
On Saturday, both WYD participants and local residents will gather at the City Stadium to attend the Singing Europe music show. Sunday in turn offers an opportunity to get to meet at parishes, also for those who do not host any young pilgrims. The day brings with a variety of festivities, meetings and cultural exchange.
The residents of Wroclaw are more than welcome to join in the celebrations. Diocese Day events are also part of the European Capital of Culture 2016 programme. For local residents, Diocese Day is also a chance to meet people from a variety of different cultural backgrounds and to showcase their own culture to people from all over the globe.
A detailed programme of Diocese Day is available at sdm2016.wroclaw.pl
How to fly to Wroclaw
Wroclaw Airport has prepared a special list featuring fast and affordable flights to Wroclaw from all over the world. Wroclaw is conveniently connected with Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Düsseldorf, Copenhagen and Warsaw. Pilgrims travelling from afar can plan their itineraries to make a stop-over at one of the above airports. Ticket prices start from 30 EUR for one person one way. Click here to find out more about flights to Wroclaw.
Things to see and do
Wroclaw is a beautiful city with rich history. Those of you who are planning to visit Wroclaw as part of World Youth Day should take time to visit some of the city's major attractions. You can find out more about them (HERE). They include: Market Square, Centennial Hall or Ostrów Tumski. You can admire the city's panorama from several different vantage points, or relax in one of many parks in Wroclaw. You can visit the city by choosing one of several topical walking routes. All necessary tourist information can be accessed here. You can check what's on in Wroclaw on specific dates here.
Ready to volunteer?
You can also join World Youth Day as a volunteer to assist in the activities held on the town and in the parishes (e.g. as interpreters).
The recruitment process for volunteers to assist the pilgrims attending Diocese Day in Wroclaw in now under way. They will undergo training to perform a number of roles as part of WYD (e.g. information, services, medical assistance). You can submit your application online here or send it the following email address: [email protected].
Useful information
Twelve editions of World Youth Day have been held to date, in locations such as Buenos Aires (1987), Częstochowa (1991), Paris (1997), Sydney (2008) and Rio de Janeiro (2013). The idea to organise World Youth Day came from Saint John Paul II, who established the event in 1985. Each year, the subject of World Youth Day is defined by Pope in his address to young people. This year's message derives from the Gospel of Matthew: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7).
Find out more about World Youth Day at krakow2016.com
