Young adults prepare for WYD 2019 in Panama

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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Catholic young adults in the Diocese of Salt Lake City discuss attending WYD 2019.

SALT LAKE CITY — Local preparations are underway to prepare Utah Catholics who want to attend the next World Youth Day, which will take place Jan. 21-28, 2019 in Panama.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City Youth and Young Adult Office hosted an informational gathering Aug. 5 for young adults older than 18 to talk about the details of the pilgrimage to Panama WYD.

“WYD is an opportunity to get rid of the stuff that we have been carrying around as we prayed to our Lord to find him in our personal lives,” said Timothy Mullner, director of program development at Faith Journeys, the company in charge of the WYD pilgrimage logistics.

Muller said that it was great to see that the Catholic young adults in Salt Lake City were considering a journey to Panama WYD.

“We believe that something really important happens when you pack a suitcase and decide to do this trip. … WYD 2019 is an opportunity to get rid of hurts of the past or to find God in your lives, so thanks all for the discernment that you are starting about being in Panama,” he said.

WYD was created by Pope John Paul II, who wanted to gather young adults from around the world, Mullner said. The first World Youth Day occurred in 1986, when more than 300,000 young people from around the world responded to the pope’s invitation for an International jubilee of youth on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

Through the years WYD has celebrated different themes all based in passages from the Bible. Various countries have hosted the event: Argentina, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and, soon, Panama.

The theme for WYD 2019 is “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (LK 1:38). A wide array of events and activities are scheduled for the participants.

 “We will be going to participate in all the activities, catechesis sessions with bishops from all over the world, a Mass with pope Francis and many other sessions,” said Junuee Castro, the diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, who extended an invitation to all the young adults who want to be part of WYD 2019 to “come and join this faith journey.”

For information about this pilgrimage, contact the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, 801-328-8641 ext. 313. For a brochure, visit myfaithjourneys.com/login and enter group #19007.