World Youth Day 2027
ECRC PRESENTS
World Youth Day 2027
South Korea & Japan · August 2–16, 2027
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young Chaldean Catholics from across the United States to journey together in faith, prayer, fellowship, and pilgrimage — organized by ECRC in collaboration with the Chaldean Catholic Eparchies of St. Thomas and St. Peter the Apostle.
Pilgrimage Overview
What's Included
✈ Airfare & Transport
- Round-trip international airfare
- South Korea to Japan flight
- Bullet Train: Fukuoka → Osaka → Tokyo
🏨 Accommodations
- Double-occupancy hotel rooms
- Daily breakfast in Seoul
- Final group shared meal
- Local guides & coordination
⛪ WYD & Activities
- World Youth Day registration
- Catechesis & WYD activities
- All itinerary entrance fees
- Haemi Martyrs Shrine
❌ Not Included
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Most lunches & dinners
- Passport & visa fees
- Personal purchases & gratuities
Tentative Itinerary
Day-by-Day Journey
⚠ Important Note: This itinerary is preliminary and subject to modification based on World Youth Day scheduling, transportation, weather, local regulations, and other logistical considerations.
Financial Planning
Payment Schedule
⚠ Important: If Deposit 2 is not received by September 30, 2026, your place on the pilgrimage is not guaranteed and may be offered to another participant. Airline tickets are expected to be purchased in September 2026 — all payments are non-refundable once secured.
Pilgrimage Leadership
Your Pilgrimage Groups
Group Assignment Process
- Pilgrims may request friends, family, or parish groups to travel with
- Requests should be mutual whenever possible
- Parish groups will be kept together whenever feasible
- Group assignments are not first-come, first-served
- Placement with a specific priest team cannot be guaranteed
- Final assignments will be determined by pilgrimage leadership
Important Information
Policies & Requirements
🛡 Travel Insurance
Strongly Recommended. Comprehensive coverage should include:
- Trip cancellation & interruption
- Medical coverage abroad
- Emergency evacuation
- Lost baggage protection
ECRC and the Eparchies are not responsible for losses due to illness, injury, cancellations, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.
🚫 Cancellation Policy
All payments are non-refundable. Airfare, hotels, and WYD registrations are secured in advance and cannot be recovered.
If a pilgrim cancels after airfare is purchased (September 2026), they agree to be financially responsible for any airline costs, change fees, or cancellation penalties incurred on their behalf.
🛂 Passport & Visa
Pilgrims must hold a valid passport, remaining valid through at least February 6, 2028 (six months after the pilgrimage ends).
Pilgrims are solely responsible for determining visa requirements for their nationality. All costs for visas, travel authorizations, and passport renewals are the pilgrim’s responsibility.
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my group?
Pilgrims may indicate preferences and submit friend requests, but final assignments will be made by pilgrimage leadership.
Can I room with a friend?
Yes. Roommate requests will be accommodated whenever possible.
What happens if I miss a payment deadline?
Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in the loss of your reserved spot.
Are payments refundable?
No. All deposits and payments are non-refundable.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all pilgrims.
Register or Ask a Question
Questions regarding registration, payments, or pilgrimage logistics may be directed to the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center.
PLEASE CHOOSE THE DIOCESE YOU ARE REGISTERING WITH
Registration for St. Peter Eparchy is COMPLETLEY FULL
Registration for St. Thomas Eparchy is COMPLETLEY FULL
World Youth Day 2027
A once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage for young Chaldean Catholics from across the United States to journey together in faith, prayer, fellowship, and pilgrimage through South Korea and Japan.
Faith, fellowship, culture, and pilgrimage
This pilgrimage is jointly organized by the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center, in collaboration with the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle and the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle.
World Youth Day Experience
Pilgrims will participate in the official World Youth Day activities, regular Holy Mass, catechesis, prayer, cultural experiences, visits to important Catholic sites, and celebrations with the Holy Father.
Japan Pilgrimage Extension
Following World Youth Day, the pilgrimage will continue through Japan, including visits to significant Catholic and historical sites associated with the Christian martyrs of Japan and the history of the Church in East Asia.
August 2–16, 2027
- Departure from USA
- Arrival in Seoul, South Korea
- Mass at Haemi Martyrs' Shrine
- Haemi Fortress
- World Youth Day Catechesis and Activities
- Seoul Cultural and Historical Sites
- Stations of the Cross with the Holy Father
- World Youth Day Vigil
- Closing Mass with the Holy Father
- Evening flight to Fukuoka, Japan
- Nagasaki day trip
- Atomic Bomb Museum
- Urakami Cathedral
- Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument
- Mass
- Travel to Osaka
- Mass
- Osaka
- Mass and free day
- Osaka
- Mass and free day
- Mass
- Travel to Tokyo
- Mass at St. Ignatius Catholic Church
- Free day in Tokyo
- Mass at Franciscan Chapel Center
- Pilgrimage closing dinner
- Departure for the United States
Cost Includes
- Round-trip international airfare and airfare from South Korea to Japan
- Double-occupancy hotel accommodations
- Ground transportation
- Daily breakfast in Seoul
- Final group shared meal
- Entrance fees included in the pilgrimage itinerary
- Local guides and pilgrimage coordination
- World Youth Day registration and participation
- Train tickets from Fukuoka to Osaka and from Osaka to Tokyo
Cost Does Not Include
- Travel insurance
- Daily breakfast in Japan
- Most lunches and dinners
- Personal purchases
- Passport fees
- Baggage fees imposed by airlines
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities
- Travel to Haneda Airport from Tokyo hotel
Three pilgrimage groups
Group A
Fr. Matthew Zetouna
Fr. Simon Esshaki
Group B
Fr. Marcus Shammami
Fr. Peter Patros
Group C
Fr. Lucian Gumma
Fr. Christopher Somo
Group Assignment Process
- Pilgrims may request friends, family members, or parish groups with whom they wish to travel.
- Requests should be mutual whenever possible.
- Parish groups will be kept together whenever feasible.
- Group assignments are not first-come, first-served.
- Placement with a particular priest team cannot be guaranteed.
- Final group assignments will be determined by pilgrimage leadership.
Eligibility
Chaldean Catholics between the ages of 18–35. This eligibility requirement will be strictly enforced.
Destinations
South Korea and Japan.
Total Cost
$6,000 per person.
Four non-refundable payments
Non-refundable
Due at registration
Non-refundable
Due September 30, 2026
Non-refundable
Due January 15, 2027
Final payment
Due March 15, 2027
Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended.
Pilgrims are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption coverage, medical coverage abroad, emergency evacuation coverage, and lost baggage protection.
ECRC and the Eparchies are not responsible for losses resulting from illness, injury, flight disruptions, cancellations, government actions, weather events, personal emergencies, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Cancellation Policy
All payments made toward the pilgrimage are non-refundable. Because airline tickets, hotel accommodations, transportation contracts, and World Youth Day registrations are purchased and secured in advance, refunds cannot be issued for cancellations.
Airline tickets are expected to be purchased in September 2026. If a pilgrim cancels after airfare has been purchased, the pilgrim agrees to be financially responsible for any airline costs, ticket change fees, cancellation penalties, or unrecoverable airfare expenses incurred on his or her behalf.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Pilgrims must possess a valid passport. The passport should remain valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the pilgrimage, through February 6, 2028.
Visa Requirements: Pilgrims are solely responsible for determining whether a visa or other travel authorization is required for their nationality and travel itinerary. Any costs associated with obtaining visas, travel authorizations, passport renewals, or other required travel documents are the responsibility of the pilgrim. ECRC, the Eparchies, and pilgrimage organizers are not responsible for delays, denials, or expenses related to visa applications or travel documentation.
Common questions
Can I choose my group?
Pilgrims may indicate preferences and submit friend requests, but final assignments will be made by pilgrimage leadership.
Can I room with a friend?
Yes. Roommate requests will be accommodated whenever possible.
What happens if I miss a payment deadline?
Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in the loss of your reserved spot.
Are payments refundable?
No. All deposits and payments are non-refundable.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all pilgrims.
Questions?
Questions regarding registration, payments, or pilgrimage logistics may be directed to:
Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center
eva@ecrc.us
248-538-9903