World Youth Day event schedule is preliminary and subject to change per developments from WYD Council.

Day 1 Thu, Aug 11:  USA - PORTUGAL.  Depart for Portugal.  Our flight includes meals, drinks and in-flight entertainment.

Day 2 Fri, Aug 12:  LISBON.  We arrive at the Lisbon Airport  where we are met and given an orientation tour of Lisbon on the way to our hotel.  Some time at leisure before dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 Sat, Aug 13:  LISBON - FATIMA. This morning, we visit the sites of Pombal square, the Liberty Avenue, Rossio Square, as well as a stop at Lisbon's Romanesque Cathedral, the Sé. We depart for Fatima.  Enroute, we visit Santarem to visit the Church of Marvila and the site of the Eucharistic Miracle.  Time for mass is available.  We continue to our hotel in Fatima for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Sun, Aug 14:  FATIMA. Today, our morning is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917.   Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  In the evening we join the Rosary and Candlelight procession.

Day 5 Mon Aug 15:  FATIMA - CACERES - MADRID.  This morning following Mass at the Shrine, we depart Fatima and drive to Spain.   On the way, we stop at Caceres to visit the historical center and Santa Maria Church.  Upon arrival in Madrid, we enjoy a panoramic tour to view the classical and modern squares of the city on our way to our WYD accommodations.

Day 6 Tue, Aug 16: WYD. Today, we have time at leisure. About 5:30 pm, we celebrate Mass in Madrid's Cibeles Square, presided over by the archbishop of Madrid and concelebrated by the bishops and priests participating in WYD. About 9:00 pm, we have the first activities of the Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program begins, which include concerts, exhibitions, displays, guided visits to Museums, plays, etc. (details to be determined.)

Day 7 Wed, Aug 17: WYD. Today, we have catechesis session, organized by linguistic groups, with bishops from all over the world. These sessions take place in churches, schools, auditoriums and sports centers of Madrid. This evening, we participate in the Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program.

Day 8 Thu, Aug 18: WYD. Catechesis session during the day. About 5:00 pm, we receive and welcome the Holy Father in Cibeles Square. WYD Cultural Program in the evening around 9:00 pm.

Day 9 Fri, Aug 19: WYD. Catechesis session during the day. Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program at 5:00 pm. At about 9:00 pm, we participate in WYD Via Crucis. Fourteen "pasos" of the Spanish Holy Week, from different points of the peninsula, go out in procession through the streets of Madrid around Cibeles Square.

Day 10 Sat, Aug 20: WYD. Preparatory ceremony at Cuatro Vientos (Four Winds) aerodrome 4:00 pm: Pilgrims arrive, little by little, and take their places. Meanwhile, different activities take place on the stage (testimonies of young people, musical interpretations, prayers to the Virgin, etc.) to prepare for the Vigil. At about 8:00 pm, the Pope arrives and Eucharistic adoration begins. Planned is an address by the Holy Father. We then spend the night at Cuatro Vientos aerodrome. For those who so wish, there will be several tents where we can adore the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Day 11 Sun, Aug 21: WYD. This morning, the Pope celebrates Mass with thousands of bishops and priests and he will address young people, and those who are not so young, to send them out to the world to witness to their faith as the Lord did with his Apostles. At the end of the concluding Mass, the Holy Father will announce where World Youth Day 2014 will be held. The remainder of the day is at leisure for pursuits on our own.

Day 12 Mon, Aug 22: MADRID - USA. Transfer to the airport for our flight home—the end of our Pilgrimage to Spain and World Youth Day 2011.