Pilgrim Profile: Connor Dougherty

Connor Dougherty - WYD '11 (Madrid)
My name is Connor Dougherty and I am currently a sophomore at Chaminade High School. I have heard about the great experiences that many others have felt in Sydney, Australia in 2008 and I would like to participate in these similar experiences along with hundreds of thousands of teens from all over the world in Madrid, Spain. I feel like my faith has really come to me especially this year when I joined the Catholic League at my school. Going to Madrid will hopefully draw me even closer to God, hearing Pope Benedict XVI speak to all of these youth from all over the world. I would like to see people of almost every ethnicity, race, and nationality come together for the same cause of celebrating our faith. There are not many opportunities to go listen to the Pope and I can hardly wait.

Pilgrim Profile: Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith (World Youth Day '11, Madrid)
Hello I am Matthew Smith. I want to go to World Youth Day. It is a privilege to go to this gathering of Catholics around the world. It will not just help me build on my relationship with God, but it is also an amazing opportunity to meet people from other countries. I am excited to go!

Pilgrim Profile: Chrissy Smith

Chrissy Smith - WYD 2011, Madrid
Hi! I'm Chrissy Smith. I want to go to Spain to grow in my faith with Catholics from all over the world. World Youth Day is not just a trip, it's a life changing experience. It is a chance to meet people from different cities and different countries, all with one common belief. An opportunity like this only comes once every three years, and I can't wait to go!

26 Years of World Youth Days

Here's a beautiful video by Grassroots Films highlighting the history of World Youth Day. As if I wasn't already excited!

Pilgrim Profile: Paul Clores

Paul Clores - WYD'11 (Madrid, Spain)
My name is Paul Clores. I am currently a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School and I will be graduating in June of 2011. In August I, with many others from around the world, will be traveling to Madrid, Spain to attend World Youth Day. This is a great opportunity for me and I am very excited. Being in the same place as the Pope, in my opinion, is a big deal. I am currently discerning a vocation to religious life. This pilgrimage will help me strengthen my discernment and my faith. This will also strengthen the faith of every teen going. I am part of a new generation of young teens passionate about their faith. I know each and every one of us will gain something from this. I look forward to this pilgrimage greatly.