By UCA News reporter
SEOUL — Thirteen major religious congregations of men and women have started a monthlong pilgrimage to the special symbols ahead of the 2027 World Youth Day, a global Catholic event to be held in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
The pilgrimage of the WYD Cross and Icon of the Virgin for religious congregations started on July 1, and it will continue throughout the month.
During the month, each religious order welcoming the WYD symbols is expected to organize various programs featuring the symbols. Some programs are open to the general public.
The Daegu Province of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) received the WYD symbols from the officials of the Archdiocese of Daegu on July 1. The nuns organized a program called ‘Night of Praise’ on the evening of July 2 with the theme ‘The Cross Does Not End in Mere Suffering.’
The program at the nuns’ chapel was open to the public both days.
“We opened the convent chapel, which is usually not open to the public, so that anyone whom God calls or who wishes to draw closer to God can stay before the symbol for as long as they need,” Sister Dominica Kwon Min from the congregation who was involved in preparations for the ceremony said.
On July 8, the Sisters of the Blessed Martyrs of Korea welcomed the symbols, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Exposition on July 9, and a special Mass and prayers on July 10.
The Salesians organized the ‘Salesian Family Mass with the WYD Cross and Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ at the Korean Provincial House in Singil-dong, Seoul, on the evening of July 10.
The Franciscan Order is scheduled to host the WYD symbols from July 19-21.
The national pilgrimage of WYD symbols in South Korea kicked off on Jan. 20 as part of preparations for the global Catholic youth event to be held in Seoul from Aug. 3-8, 2027.
The two WYD icons returned to South Korea in December last year after an international pilgrimage spanning nine countries, including Rome, for the Jubilee for Youth.
The WYD is a triennial global Catholic event initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to attend the 2027 event, where hundreds of thousands of young people from across the globe are expected to celebrate faith through song, dance, and prayer.
This report is a translated and edited version of a Korean-language article first published by the Catholic Times of Korea on July 12, 2026.
