We are very excited to announce Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will be taking part in a pilgrimage to World Youth Day, an international gathering of young Catholics (ages 16-late 30s) from around the world in a celebration of faith and culture. Whether you are able to attend with us, spiritually cover our preparations in prayer, and/or contribute to our fundraising efforts, we invite you to learn more and GET involved! This is sure to be a significant faith experience in the lives of our pilgrims and we look forward to sharing the journey and bringing back the joy and excitement to our amazing parish. Our world and our Catholic Church can use the hope and energy of youth now more than ever! For more information about our pilgrimage and preparations, contact our Youth Minister, Mrs. Sarah Leahy.
SPACES STILL AVAILABLE! Contact Sarah Leahy ASAP to join us.
WHAT IS WORLD YOUTH DAY (WYD)?
WYD was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984 when he declared the Youth Jubilee of the Holy Year of Redemption, which was celebrated by a larger than expected gathering of young people from throughout the world. After repeating the gathering the following year, World Youth Day was officially instituted in 1985, when the church began an intentional time to celebrate and recognize youth and their gifts to the church. In addition to yearly local celebrations, every 3-ish years there is an international gathering with millions of young pilgrims and the pope at changing destinations throughout the world. Previous World Youth Days have been held in places like Panama City, Krakow, Rio, Madrid, Rome, Buenos Aires, Paris, and Cologne. Though called a "day" it is actually more of a week of celebrating the Catholic faith, solidarity, and strengthening a relationship with Christ.
Learn A LOT more about World Youth Day, at the Official World Youth Day Site.
WHEN IS THE PILGRIMAGE to LISBON?
July 31-August 8, 2023
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY for OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART?
Our final itinerary is as follows:
Sunday, July 30 Day 1 - DEPART USA - After a departure Mass which all are invited to celebrate, we will head to the Buffalo airport to connect with our overnight flight to Lisbon. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast while aloft.
Monday, July 31 - DAY 2 – LISBON - We arrive in Lisbon, where we are met by our Tour Manager and given an orientation tour of Lisbon before “welcome” dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Tuesday, August 1 - DAY 3 – LISBON/ WYD WELCOMING – Today is free to explore Lisbon on our own while waiting for the official welcoming ceremonies for World Youth Day. Dinner is on our own.
Wednesday, August 2 – Friday, August 4- DAYS 4 –6 – LISBON WORLD YOUTH DAY – Depending upon final World Youth Day Programs following full American breakfast at our hotel, we participate each day in appropriate activities and return to the hotel. Lunches and dinners on our own or with WYD registration. NOTE: On one of the WYD Catechetical Days, early this morning, we will journey to Fatima and visit the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. We join the English language concelebrated Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions before a break for lunch on our own. We then visit the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, the Loca de Anjo and the Holy Way. After some free time in the village, we return to Lisbon and our hotel for overnight.
Saturday, August 5 - DAY 7 - LISBON WORLD YOUTH DAY AND VIGIL – Following the World Youth Day activities of today, we return to the hotel and then make our way to the site of the World Youth Day Vigil and Closing Mass, which will be officiated by His Holiness, Pope Francis. We spend the night at the Vigil site.
Sunday, August 6 DAY 8 – LISBON/ WORLD YOUTH DAY CLOSING CEREMONIES – Our World Youth Day celebration comes to a close today with the Holy Father’s Mass. At the conclusion of the event, we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Monday, August 7 - Day 9 - LISBON/ BRAGA - This morning, we journey to the magnificent church and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, outside of Braga, the city known as the Portuguese Rome. Penitent pilgrims would make the zig-zagging climb up the 577 steps to the Bom Jesus on their knees while praying continually. The Sanctuary may be reached by funicular (aerial tramway) or by car. We enjoy lunch on our own before we return to Lisbon for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Tuesday, August 8 - St. Dominic - DAY 10 – LISBON/USA – This morning, we return to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories and a renewed spirituality.
WHAT COMPANY IS OLSH TRAVELING WITH?
We are partnering with Unitours, which is a well-respected Catholic pilgrimage tour company with offices around the world. They have been in business since 1957 and are very experienced with both Lisbon, where they regularly run pilgrimages, as well as World Youth Day. Once registration is open, pilgrims will join our group directly through a website they provide. You can learn more about Unitours at their website.
WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT FOR EACH PILGRIM?
A journey of this kind requires both a spiritual and financial investment and requires the support of many through prayers and contributions. Our estimated total cost is $4500, $3864 is the cost for the trip through Unitours or T-shirts. Most meals are included, however you will need to plan for spending money and some lunches on your own. The World Youth Day registration fee is covered by a generous grant from the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot. We also ask all pilgrims to purchase Travel Insurance for $206. Our following payments are due in June 2022 and February 2023. We will have multiple fundraisers to reduce future payments for those who work them. Parishioners from OLSH who register by August 1, 2022 will also be given $1000 of parish sponsorship to reduce the cost. The reason it is so important to commit early is so you can join us for both spiritual preparation experiences, as well as assist with group fundraising events which will bring the cost down significantly. When spread over multiple payments, we hope to make this possible for any young people who feel called to go. Any one registering late must get current on payments upon registration.
If you are interested in sponsoring a pilgrim or a group meal while we are in Europe, or contributing to our WYD fund which will be shared across the group, please contact Sarah Leahy.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND COMITTED TO GOING, BUT COST IS THE ONLY PROHIBITION, PLEASE CONTACT Mrs. Sarah.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
The pilgrimage is open to anyone who will be age 16 to 39 at time of departure. While we consider "youth" in the United States to refer to high school, internationally the term "youth" encompasses young adults. World Youth Day is particularly geared toward those 18-30s. Please consider the physical demands of the trip - walking up to 10 miles many days, being in large crowds, sometimes not having immediate access to restrooms, etc. We will work to both physically and spiritually prepare as a group. We currently have enough adult chaperones; however if any parents would like to attend with their teenage child(ren), we would allow that.
Unitours is requiring that all pilgrims be vaccinated against Covid-19. This is for logistic ease of travel based on the country of Portugal requiring vaccine proof or testing for all incoming travelers. International travel in general has shifting requirements so it is logistically necessary for planning to know their travelers could travel freely without running into or having to split groups up. They also want to avoid last minute cancellations should the airline or US regulations change.
Other young adults and parish groups from the Diocese of Buffalo are welcome to travel with us; however they would need to provide their own chaperones and manage their own fundraising. Please contact Sarah Leahy or via phone 716-824-8209 if you are interested in learning more or have questions.
WHEN/HOW DO I SIGN UP?
The time to sign up is NOW! Please contact Mrs. Sarah for a registration form and payment information. New registrations need to caught up in their payments, so the current amount due is $1500 plus $206 for travel insurance. The remaining balance isn't due until February 2023.
For parishioners from OLSH wanting to take advantage of our parish pilgrim sponsorship of $1000, potential grant money, as well as be part of our fundraising, the deadline to sign up is August 1, 2022. After that, we can take registrations if space allows but no financial assistance will be available.
WYD was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984 when he declared the Youth Jubilee of the Holy Year of Redemption, which was celebrated by a larger than expected gathering of young people from throughout the world. After repeating the gathering the following year, World Youth Day was officially instituted in 1985, when the church began an intentional time to celebrate and recognize youth and their gifts to the church. In addition to yearly local celebrations, every 3-ish years there is an international gathering with millions of young pilgrims and the pope at changing destinations throughout the world. Previous World Youth Days have been held in places like Panama City, Krakow, Rio, Madrid, Rome, Buenos Aires, Paris, and Cologne. Though called a "day" it is actually more of a week of celebrating the Catholic faith, solidarity, and strengthening a relationship with Christ.
Learn A LOT more about World Youth Day, at the Official World Youth Day Site.
WHEN IS THE PILGRIMAGE to LISBON?
July 31-August 8, 2023
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY for OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART?
Our final itinerary is as follows:
Sunday, July 30 Day 1 - DEPART USA - After a departure Mass which all are invited to celebrate, we will head to the Buffalo airport to connect with our overnight flight to Lisbon. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast while aloft.
Monday, July 31 - DAY 2 – LISBON - We arrive in Lisbon, where we are met by our Tour Manager and given an orientation tour of Lisbon before “welcome” dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Tuesday, August 1 - DAY 3 – LISBON/ WYD WELCOMING – Today is free to explore Lisbon on our own while waiting for the official welcoming ceremonies for World Youth Day. Dinner is on our own.
Wednesday, August 2 – Friday, August 4- DAYS 4 –6 – LISBON WORLD YOUTH DAY – Depending upon final World Youth Day Programs following full American breakfast at our hotel, we participate each day in appropriate activities and return to the hotel. Lunches and dinners on our own or with WYD registration. NOTE: On one of the WYD Catechetical Days, early this morning, we will journey to Fatima and visit the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. We join the English language concelebrated Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions before a break for lunch on our own. We then visit the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, the Loca de Anjo and the Holy Way. After some free time in the village, we return to Lisbon and our hotel for overnight.
Saturday, August 5 - DAY 7 - LISBON WORLD YOUTH DAY AND VIGIL – Following the World Youth Day activities of today, we return to the hotel and then make our way to the site of the World Youth Day Vigil and Closing Mass, which will be officiated by His Holiness, Pope Francis. We spend the night at the Vigil site.
Sunday, August 6 DAY 8 – LISBON/ WORLD YOUTH DAY CLOSING CEREMONIES – Our World Youth Day celebration comes to a close today with the Holy Father’s Mass. At the conclusion of the event, we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Monday, August 7 - Day 9 - LISBON/ BRAGA - This morning, we journey to the magnificent church and sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, outside of Braga, the city known as the Portuguese Rome. Penitent pilgrims would make the zig-zagging climb up the 577 steps to the Bom Jesus on their knees while praying continually. The Sanctuary may be reached by funicular (aerial tramway) or by car. We enjoy lunch on our own before we return to Lisbon for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Tuesday, August 8 - St. Dominic - DAY 10 – LISBON/USA – This morning, we return to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories and a renewed spirituality.
WHAT COMPANY IS OLSH TRAVELING WITH?
We are partnering with Unitours, which is a well-respected Catholic pilgrimage tour company with offices around the world. They have been in business since 1957 and are very experienced with both Lisbon, where they regularly run pilgrimages, as well as World Youth Day. Once registration is open, pilgrims will join our group directly through a website they provide. You can learn more about Unitours at their website.
WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT FOR EACH PILGRIM?
A journey of this kind requires both a spiritual and financial investment and requires the support of many through prayers and contributions. Our estimated total cost is $4500, $3864 is the cost for the trip through Unitours or T-shirts. Most meals are included, however you will need to plan for spending money and some lunches on your own. The World Youth Day registration fee is covered by a generous grant from the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot. We also ask all pilgrims to purchase Travel Insurance for $206. Our following payments are due in June 2022 and February 2023. We will have multiple fundraisers to reduce future payments for those who work them. Parishioners from OLSH who register by August 1, 2022 will also be given $1000 of parish sponsorship to reduce the cost. The reason it is so important to commit early is so you can join us for both spiritual preparation experiences, as well as assist with group fundraising events which will bring the cost down significantly. When spread over multiple payments, we hope to make this possible for any young people who feel called to go. Any one registering late must get current on payments upon registration.
If you are interested in sponsoring a pilgrim or a group meal while we are in Europe, or contributing to our WYD fund which will be shared across the group, please contact Sarah Leahy.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND COMITTED TO GOING, BUT COST IS THE ONLY PROHIBITION, PLEASE CONTACT Mrs. Sarah.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
The pilgrimage is open to anyone who will be age 16 to 39 at time of departure. While we consider "youth" in the United States to refer to high school, internationally the term "youth" encompasses young adults. World Youth Day is particularly geared toward those 18-30s. Please consider the physical demands of the trip - walking up to 10 miles many days, being in large crowds, sometimes not having immediate access to restrooms, etc. We will work to both physically and spiritually prepare as a group. We currently have enough adult chaperones; however if any parents would like to attend with their teenage child(ren), we would allow that.
Unitours is requiring that all pilgrims be vaccinated against Covid-19. This is for logistic ease of travel based on the country of Portugal requiring vaccine proof or testing for all incoming travelers. International travel in general has shifting requirements so it is logistically necessary for planning to know their travelers could travel freely without running into or having to split groups up. They also want to avoid last minute cancellations should the airline or US regulations change.
Other young adults and parish groups from the Diocese of Buffalo are welcome to travel with us; however they would need to provide their own chaperones and manage their own fundraising. Please contact Sarah Leahy or via phone 716-824-8209 if you are interested in learning more or have questions.
WHEN/HOW DO I SIGN UP?
The time to sign up is NOW! Please contact Mrs. Sarah for a registration form and payment information. New registrations need to caught up in their payments, so the current amount due is $1500 plus $206 for travel insurance. The remaining balance isn't due until February 2023.
For parishioners from OLSH wanting to take advantage of our parish pilgrim sponsorship of $1000, potential grant money, as well as be part of our fundraising, the deadline to sign up is August 1, 2022. After that, we can take registrations if space allows but no financial assistance will be available.