World Youth Day – Rio
“Never forget that the Church, in fact humanity itself, all the people around you now and those who await you in the future, expect much from you young people, because you have within you the supreme gift of the Father, the Spirit of Jesus.”
- Pope Benedict XVI
Over the past 26 years, more than 15 million pilgrims have trekked to join our Holy Father to hear his message of hope for our generation at World Youth Day. Now, at the dawn of a new era in the Church, you can be a part of this life-changing event with FOCUS Missions.
This July, millions of youth will converge on Rio de Janeiro to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to World Youth Day 2013. With people from every corner of the earth attending this event, the spirit of solidarity promises to unite Christians from around the world! Lives will be transformed, international friendships will be made, and you, the future leaders of our communities, states, and countries, will be inspired to change the world for Christ!
Part I: Mission in the Amazon
As a group we will fly from Miami to Manaus – a city in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. In Manaus we will board a chartered riverboat to embark on an epic floating mission to bring the spirit of World Youth Day to communities accessible only by water- some of these communities get Mass only one time per year! On our long journey down the Amazon River we will sleep on the boat in hammocks (which is traditional style for locals). While sailing, our boat will actually turn into a mini-FOCUS Conference with talks, discussions, bible studies and of course praise and worship under the stars. After we arrive in Santarém, a city 36 hours downstream, we will take part in a large scale service mission.
Part II: Youth Arise International Festival
Departing from Santarém our group will fly to Brasilia where we board a bus to get to Canas (near São Paulo). In Canas we join thousands of you from around the world (and thousands from Brazil itself) in the Youth Arise International Festival. This will be a pre-World Youth Day international conference that includes talks, concerts, and a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Aparecida – Brazil’s most important pilgrimage site.
Part III: World Youth Day 2013, Rio de Janeiro
World Youth Day 2013 – Imagine opening ceremonies with the HOLY FATHER on COPACABANA BEACH! The following five days we will join the youth of the world for all of the activities associated with World Youth Day – concerts, show, sacraments, catechesis and unbelievable fellowship. Working with the Christian Life Movement, FOCUS will participate in a Center for the New Evangelization where world famous Catholic speakers and artists will deliver powerful talks and concerts. You will have the opportunity to visit Corcovado (the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks Rio), take the gondola up Pão de Açucar (the mountain that has spectacular views of Rio), take a swim at Ipanema beach, and finally join millions of pilgrims for the finale vigil and Mass with the Holy Father.
*** Notes on participation: There are only spots for a maximum of 40 participants. You are required to get a visa for Brazil (this is your own responsibility and not included in the cost of the trip. See visa requirements here: Brazil visa requirements. You will be require to get immunizations and anti-malaria meds not included in the price of the trip (your health insurance may or may not cover these costs) see recommendations for vaccinations and meds here: Health Information for Travelers to Brazil. ***
