Archbishop Nichols sends video message assuring Diocese of Westminster Pilgrims of ‘prayers and companionship’ on the ‘adventure’ of World Youth Day

On 21 July 2013, 50 young adults from 20 different parishes in the Diocese of Westminster will be heading to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take part in the largest youth event in the world, World Youth Day. As part of preparation for the pilgrimage being made by the young people, the Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, sent a video message to the pilgrims. In the video Archbishop Nichols said he “Assures you [pilgrims] of my prayers and companionship in spirit on this great adventure”.

“To travel with the Diocese, to go as a group of pilgrims to meet with the Holy Father, to sense yourselves as part of the universal church will be a great experience”

They will be joining other groups of young people from around the world, estimated to be as many as 4 million people, to celebrate their faith and find out about the different cultural identities of Catholicism. The Diocese pilgrims’ group will be led by Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.

World Youth Day is organised by the Catholic Church, and brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith. It will be the largest event Rio de Janeiro has ever hosted to date and is expected to have an attendance greater than the FIFA World Cup in 2014.