International Conference in Spain!

In 1984, Pope John Paul II commissioned World Youth Day, an event that would later become the biggest youth centered religious event in the world! Over the span of 26 years, World Youth Day has seen over 15 million pilgrims attend 13 conferences on 5 separate continents! However, the great magnitude of World Youth Day does not even begin to explain the great impact it has had on millions of young peoples' lives. Through its Papal Mass, cardinal led catechesis sessions, concerts, pilgrimages, adoration, and plethora of other events it offers youth from around the world have experienced Jesus Christ in a very personal and very real way.

A Promotional Video for WYD'11 can be seen below.

FOCUS' involvement in WYD'11
This year, FOCUS Missions plans to take over 80 students and staff to participate in World Youth Day! We have been astounded by the graces God has poured into the planning of this trip! Those who experience WYD via the FOCUS Missions trip will experience once in a lifetime opportunities to grow in their faith with college students from around the world!

The week before World Youth Day begins, FOCUS Missions will host a conference for 120+ college students in a 6th century monastery in the Spanish countryside. This conference will include several nationally known speakers, live music, and a great opportunity to share the Faith with European college students, as well as a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestelo, the burial place of St. James the Apostle.

Samos, the 6th century monastery we will stay at for the pre-WYD conference

Then, after a week of prayer and leisure at the monastery, we will travel to Madrid to join more than a million other pilgrims to partake in WYD activities. FOCUS has been asked by the WYD planning committee to host a breakout session for 2500+ English speaking students. This promises to be a great first step for FOCUS across international borders, to help establish the New Evangelization on campuses around the world! God has certainly taken our big dreams for WYD'11 and said dream bigger! Applications for the trip will be launched mid to late-December. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!