The mild climate, 3000 hours of sunshine a year, and 850 km of beaches bathed by the Atlantic Ocean make Portugal a perfect destination for all seasons, just a few hours’ drive from any European capital.
With the oldest borders in Europe, Portugal boasts a great diversity of landscapes within a short distance from each other, many leisure activities and a unique cultural heritage, where tradition and modernity come together in harmony.
The cuisine, and the friendliness of the Portuguese are unshakable landmarks of Portuguese cultural identity.
Frassati Catholic High School will travel with pilgrimage provider JMJyouth, which makes World Youth Day travel its speciality. While the mission of JMJyouth began with founder Steve Kerekes' WYD experience in Denver in 1993, the company has been operating formally as a tour operator since 2000.
JMJyouth's website speaks to the company's distinctive mission: "Primarily, what sets us apart from other tour operators is that our work is our apostolate to assist youth leaders in their mission to evangelize, catechize, and change lives. Our pilgrimage guides are faithful, living witnesses that serve our groups both logistically in navigating the experience, and also by helping pilgrims to avail their hearts to the grace of the journey."
To visit their website click here
July 28 | Depart for overnight flight to Europe. |
July 29 | Arrive in Lisbon and head to the Fatima area. Check into hotel and head to the Welcome WYD Rally. |
July 30 | A day in the Fatima area. We will walk the Stations of the Cross to Aljustrel, the village of the three children to whom Our Lady appeared, visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, and participate in the candlelight procession. |
July 31 | After breakfast we will head to Lisbon for a brief city tour and check into our hotel. The evening is free to explore this great city! |
Aug 1 | Pilgrimage through the city of Lisbon, with Opening Mass for WYD in the afternoon. |
Aug 2 - Aug 4 | Catechesis in the morning each day, followed by evening cultural events. On Thursday we officially welcome the Holy Father to Lisbon. On Friday, we take part in the Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father. |
Aug 5 | Mass with other US pilgrims followed by the vigil. |
Aug 6 | Closing Mass with the Holy Father; afternoon free. |
Aug 7 | Mass in the morning. Depart for USA! |