“We wanted to be more pastoral in our approach,” said Christian Elia, director of the OCY.
Because of the registration cap, he added, the archdiocese is willing to assist parish groups or individuals in planning their own accommodations if all 120 places are filled.
For those unable to travel to Spain, the OCY will also host its own regional WYD celebration at the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, Ont., Aug. 18-23.
The three spiritual formation events leading up to — and a fourth one following — WYD will be open to all youth, regardless of their plans for that year.
“A huge part of our mandate is to properly form our young people including those who are unable to come on our trip,” Elia said.
Dean Peñafiel, the OCY’s assistant program co-ordinator, said each of the four events will hinge on a different WYD theme, like they’ve done in preparation for past WYDs, with the first one in late 2010. Using the different themes will help move pilgrims forward in their faith, towards a deeper and more meaningful experience of the WYD celebrations.
For more information about registration or for more details about the 2011 pilgrimage, contact the OCY at (416) 599-7676 or visit www.ocytoronto.org .
OCY already gearing up for WYD 2011 in Spain
By Carolyn Girard, The Catholic Register
{mosimage}TORONTO - The Office of Catholic Youth of the archdiocese of Toronto has unveiled its travel plans for World Youth Day 2011, including details about four major formation events.
The trip will begin with two days in Rome in early August, where pilgrims will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The next five days will be spent in Cintruenigo, Spain, for “days in the diocese” where pilgrims will pray and interact with a local parish and its families, followed by seven days in Madrid Aug. 15-21 for the World Youth Day celebrations. The OCY will take a maximum of 120 pilgrims between the ages of 18-35.
The trip will begin with two days in Rome in early August, where pilgrims will visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The next five days will be spent in Cintruenigo, Spain, for “days in the diocese” where pilgrims will pray and interact with a local parish and its families, followed by seven days in Madrid Aug. 15-21 for the World Youth Day celebrations. The OCY will take a maximum of 120 pilgrims between the ages of 18-35.
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