Prayers for…

The sights of Prague … starting with Svaty Hora (the holy mountain)

Today was a very busy day!  This morning our group traveled to Svaty Hora (Holy Mountain). Father Paul celebrated Mass for us.

We are starting to see more pilgrims from other countries in our travels. Today at Our Lady of Victory we found a board with sticky notes on a world map of all the travelers stopping to see the Infant Jesus of Prague statue on their way to World Youth Day. Nathaniel Smith got St Patrick Wellington Ohio on the board!

We toured the Prague Caste. It is huge and is the largest (all connected) Castle in the world! The church with the castle, St Vitus Cathedral is entirely inside the castle area! The building on the Cathedral started in the late 800’s and didn’t finish until 1929! We visited the Infant Jesus of Prague statue in Our Lady of Victory. It is dated back to 1555. We then walked across the Charles Bridge which dates back to 1357! It is lined with 30 statues from the Baroque style. The statues depict Saints. A very busy but amazing day. The entire group, teens and adults alike were in awe of the sites visited.

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Pilgrims Arrive in Prague

The pilgrims arrived in Prague, Czech Republic today and saw some sites around the town. Today was a day of leisure and smaller groups were able to see sites of interest. Two main points of interest were St Nicholas Church which is a famous Baroque church. It was built in memory of a miracle of St Wenceslas. It holds a piano played by Mozart himself! Another site, the Prague astronomical clock was placed in the town square in 1410! Its one of the three oldest in the world and the oldest one in operation! Many more great sites to visit, but after a long two days of travel, an early dinner and good night of rest are in order!
Our Pre tour will be from now until July 26.  On July 26-July 31 we can’t wait to share how our teens and young adults get to interact throughout World Youth Day! From meeting other Catholic youth from around the world, attending Catchesis, Stations of the Cross and Opening and Closing Mass, to traveling around Krakow hoping for a Pope sighting!
Please note if you are following us that there is a Six hour time difference, so it is currently 12:20 for Wellington but 6:20 p.m. here in Prague for the pilgrims!

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WYD Itinerary

Wondering about the itinerary for the WYD pilgrims?  Here’s a brief synopsis:

  • Friday: 22 July 2016
    • 3 hour layover in Frankfort, Germany airport – and then travelling on to Prague
  • Saturday: 23 July 2016
    • All day in Prague
  • Sunday: 24 July 2016
    • Depart Prague for Budapest
    • Bus tour of Budapest – and an overnight in the city.
  • Monday, 25 July 2016
    • Depart Budapest for Krakow, Poland – visiting sites along the way.
  • Tuesday – Sunday: 26-31 July 2016
    • World Youth Day events and activities
  • Monday, 1 August 2016
    • Visit to Auschwitz and the salt mine in Wieliczka
  • Tuesday, 2 August 2016
    • Return to the USA – departing Krakow Airport, transferring in Frankfort and then returning stateside.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 begins

The Saint Patrick pilgrims are getting ready to head to World Youth Day 2016!
Sunday July 17 at the 8:30 a.m. mass, Father Trask will bless the pilgrims.

The pilgrims will be leaving from Detroit on Thursday July 21 and returning Tuesday August 2.

A little about our travels: The group will be traveling prior to WYD. The pilgrims will visit Prague, Budapest, Czestochowa and Krakow. Many religious sites will be visited in the pre tour including Svata Hora (Holy Mountain, a Basilica Minor designated by Pope Pius X) St Nicholas Church, Our Lady Victorious Church- Infant Jesus of Prague, and Jasna Gora, -The Black Madonna. In Poland the group will visit Saint John Paul II home town, Wadowice, the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, home of Saint Faustina, the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz.

The events of World Youth Day include an opening mass, daily Catechesis, Live Stations of the Cross, an overnight Vigil and Closing Mass with Pope Francis. An expected 2.5 million pilgrims are anticipated. We are very excited about our travels and growth in our Catholic Faith and know you will PRAY FOR US, as we make this pilgrimage.  We hope you will follow our travels here and on the St Patrick Church Facebook page.

A little about our group: The group is traveling with pilgrims from St Peter in Huron and St Paul in Norwalk. In total, there are 66 pilgrims.