Pilgrim Year of Preparation July 2015 FEATURED DATES 1 – Feast of Blessed Junipero Serra 15-20 – Anniversary of WYD Sydney (2008) Set to be canonized in September 2015 by the You will receive power when the Holy Spirit Holy Father s in Washington, DC; according to comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. Pope Francis, he “was one of the founding (Acts 1:8) fathers of the United States, a saintly example of the Church’s universality and special patron of 16 – Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida the Hispanic people of the country.” Patroness of Brazil and WYD Rio (2013) 4 – American Independence Day 17 – Feast of St. Hedwig (Jadwiga) of Poland On this day in 1776, the United States was born Fourteenth century Polish queen, patroness of when the 2nd Continental Congress approves Poland, of queens, and of a united Europe. the Declaration of Independence. Pray in 20 – Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing thanksgiving for freedom and for our heritage. On this day in 1969, we landed on the moon. Feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Pray for all those who work in the sciences. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is one of the primary 23-28 –Anniversary of WYD Toronto (2002) patrons of young adults and many of the You are the salt of the earth. You are the light international World Youth Day gatherings; in a of the world. (Matt. 5:13-14) special way, Pier Giorgio has been designated by the USCCB as a patron for all WYD pilgrims 23-28 –Anniversary of WYD Rio (2013) from the United States. Pier Giorgio was Go make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:19) adventurous, committed to working for the poor, devoted to the Eucharist, and loyal to 25 – Feast of St. James the Apostle friends and family. Named by Pope John Paul II St. James the Apostle walked with Jesus in the “The Man of the Eight Beatitudes,” his body will New Testament, and journeyed with Christ up travel to Krakow for WYD 2016. Mount Tabor to witness the Transfiguration with his brother John and Simon Peter. Through the 6 – Feast of St. Maria Goretti centuries, St. James continues to walk with Patroness of young women and one of the those who make pilgrimage, especially along patrons of WYD Sydney (2008) the Camino de Santiago in Spain. He is the patron of all pilgrim travelers, including those 7 – Krakow Kickoff Celebration journeying to World Youth Day 2016. Patron On this day, at 2pm ET at the Saint John Paul II saint of WYD Santiago de Compostela (1989). National Shrine in Washington, DC, the USCCB will inaugurate the Pilgrim Year of Preparation. 26-31 – Krakow One-Year Pre-Anniversary One year from the events of World Youth Day Feast of Blessed Peter To Rot 2016 in Krakow. During this week, please pray One of the patrons of WYD Sydney (2008) for the international planning committee for 13 – Feast of St. Teresa of the Andes WYD Krakow. Pray for the bishops, priests and One of the patrons of WYD Rio (2013) religious, lay leaders, and all other pilgrims headed to Poland, as well as all those who will 14 – Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha be celebrating stateside and digitally. Patroness of WYDUSA and Native Americans, and a young adult from North America who 31 – Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola was persecuted for her Catholic beliefs; one of Founder the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the patrons of WYD Toronto (2002) one of the patrons of WYD Madrid (2011) The WYDUSA Pilgrim Calendar was developed by the World Youth Day office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops © 2015 Pilgrim Year of Preparation August 2015 FEATURED DATES 6 – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption The Transfiguration is the guiding image of the The Blessed Mother was assumed, body and World Youth Day pilgrimage, which is truly a soul, to become the Queen of Heaven mountaintop experience where we are transformed and inspired for mission. Feast of St. Stanislaus Kostka Patron of Jesuit novices, young students, St. John Paul II gives WYD 2005 message Poland, and broken bones On this day in 2004, St. John Paul II reminded young people to spiritually prepare for the 15-20 –Anniversary of WYD Santiago (1989) I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) journey ahead. 8 – Feast of St. Mary MacKillop 15-20 –Anniversary of WYD Rome (2000) One of the patrons of WYD Sydney (2008) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14) 9 – Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross One of the patrons of WYD Cologne (2005) 16-21 –Anniversary of WYD Cologne (2005) We have come to worship him. (Matt. 2:2) 10-15 – Anniversary WYD Czestochowa (1991) 16-21 –Anniversary of WYD Madrid (2011) You received a spirit of sonship. (Rom. 8:16) Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the 10-15 – Anniversary of WYD Denver (1993) faith. (Col. 2:7) I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10); during these days, 17 – Feast of St. Hyacinth Twelfth-thirteenth century Polish saint pray for World Youth Day alumni from the United States since 1984, especially those who 19-24 –Anniversary of WYD Paris (1997) participated in WYD Denver. Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see. (John 1:38-39) 11 – Feast of St. Philomena Young early Christian martyr, died at age 13. 23 – Feast of St. Rose of Lima One of the patrons of WYD Rio (2013) 12 – United Nations International Day for Youth Begun in 1985, the International Day for Youth 26 – Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa celebrates the young people of the world; this One of the patrons of WYD Czestochowa movement inspired St. John Paul II to continue (1991) and patroness of Poland; each year, an annual celebration of youth and young pilgrims depart Warsaw for a nine-day, 140-mile adults in the Roman Catholic Church. trek to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Feast of St. Isidore Bakanja When he was a young student during World War II, St. John Paul II made this pilgrimage trek One of the patrons of WYD Rio (2013) in secret as to avoid Nazi suspicion. 14 – Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe Polish Conventional Franciscan friar and martyr 31 – Feast of St. Raymond Nonnatus One of the patrons of WYD Rio (2013) who sacrificed his life for a stranger during the Holocaust in the Auschwitz Nazi death camp. The WYDUSA Pilgrim Calendar was developed by the World Youth Day office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops © 2015 Pilgrim Year of Preparation September 2015 FEATURED DATES 5 – Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta 20 – Feast of St. Andrew Kim One of the patrons of WYD Sydney (2008) First Korean-born Catholic priest and young adult martyr (died at the age of 25 in Seoul). 7 – Labor Day Read the USCCB’s Labor Day Statements on our Catechetical Sunday website, and learn about the dignity of working National of prayer for catechists and teachers men and women. Pray for those without jobs, of the faith. Pray for those who taught you. and pray for your own work and vocation in life. 21 – United Nations International Day of Peace Feast of St. Melchoir Grodziecki Pray for lasting peace and global solidarity Patron of Archdiocese of Katowice and Diocese of Bielsko-Zywiec, both in Poland 22-25 – World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia Pray for all families, and ask God to guide and 8 – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary bless the participants and their families. In Poland, celebrated as the birthday feast of Our Lady, Queen of Poland 23 – Pope Francis in Washington, D.C. Papal visit the White House; meeting with the 9 – Feast of Blessed Maria de la Cabeza U.S. bishops at St. Matthew Cathedral in One of the patrons of WYD Madrid (2011) Washington, DC; Canonization Mass of Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National 10-19 – Anniv. of St. John Paul II’s 1987 USA Visit Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. St. John Paul II visited Miami, Columbia SC, New Orleans, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, 24 – Pope Francis in Washington and New York Monterey CA, San Francisco, and Detroit for this Address to Joint Session of Congress; visit of ten-day visit to the United States of America. Catholic Charities of Washington DC; Vespers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. 11 – Remembrance Day We remember and pray for the victims of the 25 – Pope Francis in New York City Sept. 11 terror attacks, their families, and the Address to United Nations General Assembly; conversion of heart of those who committed Interfaith Service at 9/11 Memorial; Visit to East the attacks. Pray also for peace in our time. Harlem; Mass at Madison Square Garden. 14 – Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross 26 – Pope Francis in Philadelphia Pray for those who have carried and been Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul inspired by the World Youth Day cross since in Philadelphia; Visit to Independence Mall; 1984, which continues to travel from Rome Visit with Festival of Families on Franklin Pkwy. through each World Youth Day host country in preparation for the international pilgrimage. 27 – Pope Francis in Philadelphia One of the original WYD crosses can be found Meeting with bishops at St. Charles Borromeo at Centro San Lorezno at the Vatican in Rome.