Dear Pilgrims

Congratulations on being one of the 585 pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne who will journey together over the next four months as we prepare to join the Holy Father and millions of young Catholics from around the world in Lisbon for the celebration of World Youth Day.

You have registered for The Italian Way Pilgrimage, and this 18-day pilgrimage will see you visit Rome, Assisi, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima before heading to Lisbon for WYD. Accompanying your Pilgrimage will be Fr Martin Ashe, chaplains, leaders, and a great support team who are working hard to make our pilgrimage a success. You can download a full copy of your itinerary here.

For our week in Lisbon, we will be staying at the Marriott Hotel, which will be our home away from home. You can check it out online here.

Sign up Today with Harvest Journeys

Please see below a link for you to use to sign up with our Pilgrimage provider Harvest Journeys. As this registration will be used to book your flights and accommodation each Pilgrim (or guardian) is required to complete this registration themselves, to ensure the accuracy of their details. Any error in your details provided to Harvest Journeys that requires a change will incur a change fee.

In order to register with Harvest Journeys, you will need the following information:

Date of Birth

Passport Details

Details of any allergies

Emergency contact information

Sign up for The Italian Way pilgrimage with Harvest Journeys here

Melbourne Pilgrim Portal

If you haven’t already, keep an eye out for a registration link for our Melbourne Pilgrim Portal. This will be how we will collect from you all the other important information we will need as we head off on pilgrimage.

Final Payments will be due on Monday 3 April 2023.

As these payments are used to secure your flights and accommodation, this date is set by Harvest Journeys and cannot be changed.

On Friday 31 March will be in touch to confirm if there have been any final adjustments to the overall cost of your pilgrimage. While we are hopeful that the advertised costs will remain unchanged, there is still a slight possibility of an increase based on airport taxes, international exchange rates and other variables.

All payments are being managed through the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Pilgrims do not need to make payments directly to Harvest Journeys.

We are now able to offer two payment options:

Credit card

Call and speak with a member of our team between 9 am and 4 pm Monday – Friday to make a credit card payment (partial or complete). You can authorise us to use the existing card used to pay your deposit or have an additional card handy when you call.

WYD Office: 9926 5713

Or make a Direct Deposit Transfer

Bank: National Australia Bank Payable

Account Name: Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation

BSB: 083-091

Account Number: 51514 3414

Ref WYD + your Pilgrim ID

You can find your pilgrim ID by logging into the Melbourne Pilgrim Portal.

For those of you who have been utilising a CDF Fundraising page, these pages will be closed on Wednesday 29 March 2023. Following this date we will advise you of your fundraising total, and add this to your account before final payments on Monday 3 April 2023.

Over the next few months, we look forward to accompanying you as together we prepare to head on pilgrimage to WYD. Please put these important dates in your diaries.

Sunday 30 April - First Pilgrim Gathering

1 pm – 4.30pm Australian Catholic University

This gathering will be our first opportunity to meet together as whole pilgrim group. It will be a great chance to meet each other, hear from inspiring speakers, and for us to pass on some important information about our pilgrimage.

Sunday 30 April - Parent and Guardian Session

1 pm – 4.30 pm Australian Catholic University

Parents and guardians of pilgrims under 18 are invited to join us for a dedicated parent/guardian information session where you will find out more details about your child’s pilgrimage and have plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

The Italian Way Zoom Session - Tuesday 16 May, 7 pm (Online)

Pilgrims (and parents and guardians) will be required to attend an online session in which pilgrimage-specific information will be shared, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification about the different elements of your pilgrimage.

Regional Small Group Gatherings

Our second in-person gathering will happen on a regional level, and this will be a chance for you to gather in your small groups, and meet your leaders and chaplains.

East Monday 5 June, 7pm (Venue TBC)

West Tuesday 6 June, 7pm (Venue TBC)

North Wednesday 7 June, 7pm (Venue TBC)

South Thursday 8 June, 7pm (Venue TBC)

World Youth Day Commissioning Mass

Our final gathering before setting off will be our WYD Commissioning Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral. Please bring your family and friends, parishioners, and benefactors as together we are commissioned by Archbishop Peter as the Archdiocese of Melbourne Pilgrimage to World Youth Day Lisbon.

Sunday 16 July - St Patrick’s Cathedral 11am - 2pm

Your official pilgrim pack, travel documentation, and other essential material will be distributed to each pilgrim on this day.

Night Fever

Looking for something to do tonight? Join young adults from across Melbourne for an evening of prayer and worship as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation.

6pm – midnight,
Friday 24 March 2023

Adoration will continue until 8:30 am on Saturday 25 March and conclude with Mass for the Feast Day of the Annunciation.

Sacred Heart Church, Rathdowne and Pelham St, Carlton