Posted July 19, 2016

Some of the young people traveling to one of the most significant public events in the Catholic world received a special blessing after Mass July 17 at St. Isaac Jogues Church, Wayne. They also prepared bags of religious mementos to share with other young pilgrims from around the globe at the July 26-31 event in Krakow. As part of the trip, the pilgrims will also tour Catholic and cultural sites in Europe. Read all about the Mass and the teens who are ready for the experience of their lives, here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Youths preparing to depart for World Youth Day line up to receive a blessing at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Wayne.

  • Father Edward Hamilton offers a special blessing for those who will depart July 21 for World Youth Day.

  • After receiving a blessing at the end of Mass, the young pilgrims headed to World Youth Day in Poland lead the recessional at St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Wayne. (Sarah Webb)

  • The young people and their parents meet for a meal and last-minute planning at St. Isaac Jogues July 17 before departing for World Youth Day.

  • The Philadelphia Archdiocese provided many World Meeting of Families trinkets and other mementos for the young people to exchange with other youths while at World Youth Day.

  • Beth Riordan (left), the archdiocesan leader of the group traveling to Poland for World Youth Day July 26-31, chats with Clare Stoyell-Mulholland who spent two years raising money for World Youth Day, including through bake sales at her parish, St. Mary Magdalen in Media.

  • Beth Riordan organizes young people who will be heading to World Youth Day 2016.

  • Joe Aquilante, youth minister at St. Isaac Jogues, instructs pilgrims and their parents on what to expect at World Youth Day. This will be his seventh time attending a World Youth Day event since his first in Denver in 1993.

  • Material is cut to make bandanas and scarves for World Youth Day.

  • Young people and parents pack trinket bags they will take to World Youth Day to exchange with other youths.