INSPIRE 2019WYD Alternative Experience
|
Life is a pilgrimage, but sometimes |
INSPIRE was created as an alternative to WYD that offers an international pilgrimage opportunity to fill the gap in programming for youth and young adults groups during non-WYD years (or when WYD is held in the winter). Like World Youth Day, the INSPIRE brings together young, faithful Catholics from many countries to share in a deep experience of Christ and His Church. We hope that you will join us on this incredible journey of faith!
INSPIRE2019 brings pilgrims to Italy for a week in Rome & Assisi. The detailed itinerary is below.
INSPIRE2020 will return to Rome & Assisi, before moving to Mexico City for INSPIRE2021.
INSPIRE2019 brings pilgrims to Italy for a week in Rome & Assisi. The detailed itinerary is below.
INSPIRE2020 will return to Rome & Assisi, before moving to Mexico City for INSPIRE2021.
CORE PILGRIMAGE: Rome & AssisiJuly 22 - 29, 2019
DAY ONE July 22nd, 2019, Monday
Arrive in Rome. Travel to Assisi, the medieval hillside hamlet of St. Francis and St. Claire, in time to watch the sunset from the castle (left). DAY TWO July 23rd, Tuesday
Spend the day exploring Assisi, including special visits to the Basilicas of St. Francis and St. Claire (left), the Temple of Minerva, and St. Mary of the Angels. Evening in the Piazza with musical performances. DAY THREE July 24th, Wednesday
Depart Assisi for an afternoon walking tour of Ancient Rome: Piazza Navona, many churches, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. DAY FOUR July 25th, Thursday
Celebrate Mass in a major basilica with a bishop or cardinal, then visit the principle sites of the Eternal City: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum (left), Trevi Fountain, Gesú, and St. Peter in Chains. DAY FIVE July 26th, Friday
Celebrate Mass in a major basilica, then climb the Holy Stairs. Explore St. John Lateran, Santa Croce, and St. Mary Major. Descend into the Catacombs of San Callisto to experience the life of the early Church. DAY SIX July 27th, Saturday
Marvel at the wonders of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel (left), and St. Peter’s Basilica. After a free afternoon, join your fellow youth and young adult pilgrims for a special evening of events created and hosted by JMJyouth. DAY SEVEN July 28th, Sunday
Attend a private audience* or public Angelus with our Holy Father. Enjoy a free day to explore the Eternal City. *Pending confirmation DAY EIGHT July 29th, Monday Depart for home, or continue on a pilgrimage to France, Poland, Spain & Portugal, or Medjugorje. Detailed itineraries for these options are below. You can also create a custom pilgrimage extension for your group! Daily Mass is always included in our itineraries, except on air travel days. Activities are subject to change and/or rearrange based on the papal schedule. |
EXTENSIONSJuly 16 - 21, 2019 and/or
July 30 - Aug 4/5 Our recommended extensions are all 6 Day / 6 Night itineraries to be added before or after your core pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi.
Get started TODAY!For a personalized group quote, fill out this form.
For individuals, friends, or a small groups, click here: INSPIRE2019 Corps. |
France PRE-CORE ITINERARY
July 16th, Tues Arrive in Paris and check into your lodging. Walk the ancient center of Paris visiting Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle, and the Holocaust Memorial. Make an evening visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Cœur). July 17th, Wed Visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where you can pray before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. Explore the catacombs of Paris in the afternoon. View "The City of Light" as it is meant to be seen with an evening visit to the Eiffel Tower. July 18th, Thur Make a day trip to Chartres to pray before the relic of Mary's veil in the most magnificent Gothic Cathedral in France. Return to Paris for a free evening. July 19th, Fri Transfer to Lourdes by train or coach bus. Time permitting, participate in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. July 20th, Sat Pray in the triple basilicas of Lourdes and at the Grotto of Our Lady. Walk the Stations of the Cross in the spirit of St. Bernadette. Walk in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. July 21st, Sun Enjoy a free day to go to confession, to bathe in the sacred waters, and to spend time with our Lord in Adoration. Walk in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. July 22nd, Mon Transfer to Barcelona for your flight to Rome to begin the core pilgrimage. POST-CORE ITINERARY July 29th, Mon Depart Rome on your flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival, board a coach bus for your transfer to Lourdes. Time permitting, walk in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. July 30th, Tues Pray in the triple basilicas of Lourdes and at the Grotto of Our Lady. Walk the Stations of the Cross in the spirit of St. Bernadette. Walk in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. July 31st, Wed Enjoy a free day to go to confession, to bathe in the sacred waters, and to spend time with our Lord in Adoration. Walk in the evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Lady. Aug 1st, Thur Depart for Paris in the morning by train or coach bus. Make an evening visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur). Aug 2nd, Fri Visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where you can pray before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. Explore the catacombs of Paris in the afternoon. View "The City of Light" as it is meant to be seen with an evening visit to the Eiffel Tower. Aug 3rd, Sat Start the day with visits to Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle, and the Holocaust Memorial. In the afternoon, make an excursion to Chartres to pray before the relic of Mary's veil in the most magnificent Gothic Cathedral in France. Aug 4th, Sun Bid adieu to Paris for your flight home. |
Spain & PortugalPRE-CORE ITINERARY
July 16th, Tues Arrive in Lisbon, visit the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua followed by a panoramic tour of the city followed by a stop at the Church of St. Stephen, or “Church of the Holy Miracle,” in Santarem. Continue to Fatima. July 17th, Wed Visit the Basilica of Our Lady for Mass followed by a visit to the homes of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta and the Stations of the Cross. Participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession July 18th, Thur Depart Fatima this morning for Santiago de Compostela. Visit the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle and venerate his relics. Celebrate Mass and experience the famous swinging of the “Botafumiero”, the Cathedral’s giant censer July 19th, Fri Morning walking tour of Santiago de Compostela before departing for Avila. Visit Albe de Tormes and the tomb of St. Teresa. Arrive in Avila, the best-preserved walled city in the world and celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery. Visit the cell where St. Teresa lived, and see relics of both St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. July 20th, Sat Morning walking tour of Avila, transfer to Madrid where you will visit the Royal Palace and the recently dedicated Cathedral of Our Lady of Almudena. July 21st, Sun Explore the streets and sites of the Medieval city of Toledo, the ancient capital of Spain, including Plaza de Zocodover, the Church of Santo Tome, the Cathedral and the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, night in Madrid July 22nd, Mon Depart on your flight to Rome to begin the core pilgrimage. POST-CORE ITINERARY July 29th, Mon Depart Rome for Madrid, check into hotel, walking tour of the city center including the Royal Palace and the recently dedicated Cathedral of Our Lady of Almudena. July 30th, Tues Explore the streets and sites of the Medieval city of Toledo, the ancient capital of Spain, including Plaza de Zocodover, the Church of Santo Tome, the Cathedral and the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, night in Madrid. July 31st, Wed Depart for Avila, the best-preserved walled city in the world and celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Monastery. Visit the cell where St. Teresa lived, and see relics of both St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Continue on to Albe de Tormes and the tomb of St. Teresa, finally arrive in Santiago de Compostela. Aug 1st, Thur Visit the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle and venerate his relics. Celebrate Mass and experience the famous swinging of the “Botafumiero”, the Cathedral’s giant censer. Depart for Fatima Aug 2nd, Fri Visit the Basilica of Our Lady for Mass followed by a visit to the homes of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta and the Stations of the Cross. Participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession Aug 3rd, Sat Morning trip to the Church of St. Stephen, or “Church of the Holy Miracle,” in Santarem. Free afternoon and evening in Fatima. Aug 4th, Sun Transfer to Lisbon and say ciao to Portugal as you depart on your flight home. |
PolandPRE-CORE ITINERARY
July 16th, Tues Arrive in Warsaw, transfer to hotel followed by Mass at the Church of St. Kostka, followed by veneration of the tomb of Bl. Jerzy Popielusko July 17th, Wed Full day tour of Warsaw including visits to the Cathedral of St. John, the Royal Castle, Old Town, Lazienki Park, the Jewish Quarter and an evening Mass July 18th, Thur Depart by coach for the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa to venerate the holy image of the Black Madonna, Mass at the Shrine, evening in Krakow July 19th, Fri Visit Krakow’s famous Market Square and the Church of St. Mary, Wawel Castle and Cathedral along with the Franciscan and Dominican Churches. Afternoon visit to the Shrine of Divine Mercy for Mass and a visit to the tomb of St. Faustina followed by a talk by the Sisters of Mercy July 20th, Sat Morning tour of the incredible Wieliczka Salt Mines including the basilica carved entirely out of the salt. Afternoon options or free time available July 21st, Sun Make a visit to the infamous concentration camp of Auschwitz. Here we will also visit the cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life. Continue on to Wadowice and the childhood home of St. John Paul II. Enjoy a helping of Pope Cake after Mass at St. Mary’s Church in the main square. July 22nd, Mon Depart Poland on your flight to Rome to begin the core pilgrimage. POST-CORE ITINERARY July 29th, Mon Depart Rome on your flight to Krakow. Visit Krakow’s famous Market Square and the Church of St. Mary, Wawel Castle and Cathedral along with the Franciscan and Dominican Churches. July 30th, Tues Morning tour of the incredible Wielicka Salt Mines including the basilica carved entirely out of the salt. Afternoon pilgrimage to the Shrine of Divine Mercy for Mass and a visit to the tomb of St. Faustina followed by a talk by the Sisters of Mercy July 31st, Wed Make a visit to the infamous concentration camp of Auschwitz. Here we will also visit the cell where St. Maximilian Kolbe gave his life. Continue on to Wadowice and the childhood home of St. John Paul II. Enjoy a helping of Pope Cake after Mass at St. Mary’s Church in the main square. Aug 1st, Thur Depart by coach for the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa to venerate the holy image of the Black Madonna, Mass at the Shrine, evening in Warsaw Aug 2nd, Fri Full day tour of Warsaw including visits to the Cathedral of St. John, the Royal Castle, Old Town, Lazienki Park, the Jewish Quarter and an evening Mass Aug 3rd, Sat Mass at the Church of St. Kostka, followed by veneration of the tomb of Bl. Jerzy Popielusko, free afternoon in Warsaw Aug 4th, Sun Depart Warsaw for home. |
Medjugorje Youth FestivalPOST-CORE ITINERARY
July 29th, Mon Fly into Split, Croatia, and continue to Medjugorje by coach bus. Tour the town before celebrating Mass and joining the evening prayer service (time permitting). July 30th, Tues thru Aug 4th, Sun Medjugorje Youth Festival activities include daily catechesis, testimonies, music, multilingual prayer services, Adoration, Stations of the Cross climbing Cross Mountain, and a procession up Apparition Hill. Aug 5th, Mon Depart for home. Custom ExtensionsWant a longer or shorter pilgrimage?
Groups of any size may lengthen an itinerary, or may choose to depart early. Let us know your preferred travel dates, and we will modify your quote accordingly. Have a different itinerary in mind? Always wanted to visit the Holy Land? Fully customized extensions can be created for groups with 15 or more pilgrims. If you have a specific itinerary in mind, please email the details to info@JMJyouth.com. We will create a quote based on your plans. Need some inspiration? Browse our custom pilgrimage itineraries. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is special about the INSPIRE as a WYD Alternative?
1. INSPIRE is a chance for your youth and young adults to make a pilgrimage together with their peers from across the US and Canada, and from around the world. 2. INSPIRE creates a special opportunity for our pilgrims to build friendships with other faithful young Catholics throughout a week of Catechesis and during our memorable night of events created especially for JMJyouth pilgrims and friends. 3. We also hope to offer a private audience with the Pope as the hallmark of the experience, though we are currently awaiting confirmation of that request. Why is INSPIRE less expensive than other pilgrimages? INSPIRE pilgrims benefit from the scale of the event. Hundreds of pilgrims will be joining the core pilgrimage and extensions, which allows us to pair groups to share transportation, lodging, and guides. Sharing resources reduces our expenses, and we pass those savings along to our pilgrims. |