Diocesan Pilgrims Depart For World Youth Day On July 23

By Katelyn Klingler, The Message Intern

/data/news/14268/file/realname/images/p01wydfrdrostemass2013146902939972517.jpg — Father Christopher Droste, right celebrates Mass during the pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2013 in Rio. Submitted photo

On July 23, 48 young people and adults from the Diocese of Evansville will depart for World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. Bishop Charles C. Thompson, Father Tyler Tenbarge and Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Steve Dabrowski will lead the group, which includes young people ages 16-25, chaperones, and seminarians Luke Hassler and Andrew Thomas.

Plans for the trip have been in the works for almost 3 years.

The pilgrims will spend most of their time in Krakow, where they will join 2.5 million other Catholics – mostly young people – and Pope Francis in prayer and devotion. The diocesan group will also make trips to Niepokalanów (the monastery founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe) and Czestochowa (home to the Black Madonna, a revered icon of the Virgin Mary). The group will visit Auschwitz on their way to Krakow.

Dabrowski emphasized the significance of this World Youth Day’s location. He noted that, even though Poland has often been the victim of violence and vitriolic politics from other nations, “they toppled Communism, they produced one of the greatest saints of our time,” emerging repeatedly from immense pressure “from coal to diamond. People often overlook the role of this country.”

Dabrowski particularly recognizes the country’s enduring and admirable faith. “Poland is a land of saints,” he said, citing the number of modern saints from the nation, including St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. John Paul II. He also noted the country’s overwhelming devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mercy is the theme of this year’s World Youth Day, and it will permeate the pilgrims’ activities. Every group that registered for World Youth Day was assigned a time to visit the church in which St. Faustina received the messages of Divine Mercy. Additionally, the hub for English-speaking activities throughout the week will be called the “Mercy Center.”

Dabrowski said he hopes to witness the inspiring effect of mercy in the hearts of this year’s pilgrims. “As they go to this land (that is) particularly devoted to the Blessed Mother, and to the cause of mercy in our world today, I hope it inspires them to evangelize to their peers and spread those messages of mercy and love,” he said.

Itinerary