EDITOR’S NOTE: (The photos below come from Twitter and Facebook posts by Sydney Rae, Fr. Richard Hall and others on the WYD trip in Poland. In the coming days, we hope to have more photos and info about the trip from the young people experiencing World Youth Day.)

World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide encounter with the Pope which is typically celebrated every three years in a different country. The most recent WYD was celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 23rd to 28th, 2013 and the next World Youth Day will be held in Krakow, Poland in 2016.

WYD will be held in Krakow, Poland this year and runs from July 25- 31. WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter with their contemporaries centered on Jesus Christ. This event is an opportunity to experience in first person the universality of the Church; to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who want to commit themselves to Christ and others. World Youth Day is a unique way to deepen your faith and grow closer to Christ, by means of prayer and the sacraments, together with thousands of other young people who share your interests and ambitions.

During the week of World Youth Day, there will be a complete cultural agenda in addition to the events with the Pope.

The Oblate youth group from the U.S. arrived early in order to participate in the Oblate World Youth Days (WYD OMI) which takes place from July 20th till July 25th. During these 5 days there will be numerous events – conferences, an encounter with Father General, meeting with the Provincial Superior of Polish Oblates, Holy Masses, Nation’s Festival, the stations of the Cross, concerts, theatrical performances as well as other attractions connected with the celebration of the Days in the Diocese in Warsaw.