World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrim Applications

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Before you begin:

All applications require two supporting documents:

GP Clinical Statement – to be completed by your GP.
Priest or Community Endorsement – to be completed by your Parish Priest or Community Senior Leader.

For each document, please:

Download and print the document.
Arrange for the relevant person to complete it.
Scan the completed document.
Upload the scanned & completed document on the final pages of this online application form.

GP Clinical Statement – DOCX | PDF
Priest or Community Leader Endorsement – DOCX | PDF

All applications must be accurate and complete before submitting.

Estimated completion time: 30–40 minutes
Please have your required supporting documents ready before beginning the application.

Applicants applying to be a Small Group Leader should allow an additional 15–25 minutes.

Key Preparation and Formation Dates

Applicants should be available for the following preparation and formation dates.

Date	Event
25 February 2027	LIFTED Launch
26 March 2027	Good Friday Night Walk (Optional)
15 April 2027	WYD Leaders Formation Night 1 (Small group leaders only)
29 April 2027	WYD Leaders Formation Night 2 (Small group leaders only)
12 May 2027	WYD Pilgrim Formation Night 1
20 May 2027	WYD Pilgrim Formation Night 2
3 June 2027	WYD Pilgrim Formation Night 3
10 June 2027	WYD Pilgrim Formation Night 4
26 June 2027	WYD Pilgrim Pre Retreat
18 July 2027	WYD Leaders Formation Afternoon @ Cathedral (Small group leaders only)
18 July 2027	WYD Commissioning Mass @ Cathedral
26 July 2027	Depart for WYD27 Seoul
11 August 2027	WYD27 Seoul Pilgrims Return
9 September 2027	WYD One Month Reunion
27 July 2028	1 Year Reunion

More details about the preparation program will be provided to successful applicants.

Pilgrim Details

Name(Required)

Given Names Surname

Date of Birth(Required)

Gender/Sex(Required)

Male

Female

Contact Phone Number(Required)

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Nationality/Citizenship(Required)

Do you hold a valid passport for travel?(Required)

Yes

No

Are you currently enrolled and completing high school?(Required)

Yes

No

Parish, movement or Catholic community(Required)

Name and location

Why would you like to participate in the Seoul 2027 pilgrimage?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

Have you previously participated in a pilgrimage or World Youth Day?(Required)

Yes

No

If yes, please provide details:(Required)

How are you currently involved in, or connected with, your parish or Catholic community?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

What gifts, skills, or experiences could you contribute to the pilgrimage group?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

How do you plan to share what you learn and experience at WYD27 with your parish or community when you return?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

I understand that the WYD27 Pilgrimage will involve large crowds, prolonged periods of walking and standing, unfamiliar environments, international travel, fatigue and periods of heightened activity. I confirm that I am able to manage these circumstances and will disclose any relevant circumstances that may affect my ability to safely participate.(Required)

Yes

No

WYD27 Pilgrimage – Medical & Wellbeing Assessment

Upload your GP Clinical Statement

Your GP Clinical Statement must be completed by your GP before you can complete this application.

If you have not yet downloaded, printed and had the statement completed by your GP, please stop your application here. This application cannot be saved and returned to later.

If you need to download the document again, you can do so below:

GP Clinical Statement: DOCX | PDF

Please upload a scanned copy of your completed GP Clinical Statement.(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.

Upload your Priest or Community Leader Endorsement

Your Priest or Community Leader Endorsement must be completed by your Parish Priest or Community Senior Leader before you can complete this application.

If you have not yet downloaded, printed and had the endorsement completed by your Parish Priest or Community Senior Leader, please stop your application here. This application cannot be saved and returned to later.

If you need to download the document again, you can do so below:

Priest or Community Leader Endorsement: DOCX | PDF

Please upload a scanned copy of your completed Priest or Community Leader Endorsement.(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.

Consent

By submitting this application, I acknowledge and consent to the following:(Required)

• I understand that this application is for attendance at World Youth Day 2027 (WYD27) with the Diocese of Parramatta, travelling to Seoul, South Korea, from 26 July to 11 August 2027.
• I understand that the Diocese of Parramatta will collect and use the information provided in this application to assess my suitability to participate in the WYD27 Pilgrimage, including considerations relating to my ability to participate safely and appropriately in the pilgrimage.
• I understand that my application may contain personal and sensitive information, including health or medical information where requested. I consent to the Diocese of Parramatta collecting, using and storing this information for the purposes outlined in this consent and its Privacy Policy.
• I understand that the Diocese of Parramatta reserves the right to decline an application at any stage of the application or selection process.
• I understand that, due to the limited number of places available, applications will be assessed against the WYD27 Selection Criteria (click here to view) , and that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that I will be offered a place.
• I understand that my application, GP Letter, and Endorsement Letter will be accessed by Eleanor Bonwick, Manager – WYD27 Pilgrimage Coordinator, and Bianca Grella, Manager & Legal Counsel – Office for Safeguarding, unless otherwise stated.
• I understand that my information may be accessed or disclosed to other authorised persons or service providers where reasonably necessary for the administration, safety, safeguarding, medical support, travel arrangements or other legitimate purposes associated with the WYD27 Pilgrimage, in accordance with the Diocese of Parramatta’s Privacy Policy and other legal requirements.
• I understand that the applications of applicants who are not selected will be destroyed on 31 January 2027, and that the applications of applicants who are selected will be permanently destroyed on 11 September 2027.
• I understand that the information I provide must be true, accurate and complete, and that I should notify the Diocese of Parramatta if relevant information changes during the application or pilgrimage process.

I have read and understood the above Informed Consent section and consent to the collection, use, storage and disclosure of my information as described.

Applicant Initials:(Required)

Date(Required)

Small Group Leaders

Small Group Leaders play an important pastoral role in accompanying pilgrims before, during, and after World Youth Day. Leaders are expected to be people of faith, maturity, integrity, sound judgement, and service who can foster a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centred environment.

Small Group Leaders will receive a subsidy equivalent to 50% of the pilgrimage cost as invoiced to us by Harvest Journeys.

Selection Criteria:

Aged 25 or over
Practising Catholic
Approval/endorsement from your employer to take leave from work
Relevant Safeguarding and Working with Children Check Number requirements
Able to meet the physical demands of the pilgrimage

Do you want to apply to be a Small Group Leader?(Required)

See above for Selection Criteria

Yes

No

Small Group Leader Application

Small Group Leaders play an important pastoral role in accompanying pilgrims before, during, and after World Youth Day. Leaders are expected to be people of faith, maturity, integrity, sound judgement, and service who can foster a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centred environment.

Appointment as a Small Group Leader is subject to diocesan selection, safeguarding requirements, appropriate screening, training, and any other requirements established by the Diocese.

Selection Criteria

The selection of Small Group Leaders is based upon the degree to which he/she meets the following essential criteria:

Minimum age of 25
A practising Catholic faith, with an understanding of the evangelising and catechising mission of the Church
An appreciation of, and commitment to World Youth Day as a unique pilgrimage of faith for young people
Can demonstrate experience of working with young people in intense and immersive experiences
Proven ability to work with young people, actively and positively engaging them in significant faith development and youth ministry experiences i.e Catholic Youth Parramatta/LIFTED/Parish and School youth groups etc
Approval and endorsement of their employer to participate
A willingness to complete all Diocesan safeguarding modules and training
Ability to meet the physical requirements of a 20km walk, negotiating large crowds, standing for long periods of time and unpredictable weather conditions
Demonstrated travel experience is preferred
Commitment to attend all pilgrim formation prior to departure and post WYD celebrations

1. Why would you like to serve as a small group leader?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

2. Describe a time when you led or accompanied young people through a significant faith, ministry, pilgrimage or group experience. What was your role?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

3. What strengths, skills or experience would you bring to the role of WYD27 small group leader?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

4. How would you support, engage and encourage young people with different personalities and levels of faith throughout the pilgrimage?(Required)

Min. 50 words, max. 150 words.

I confirm that I am/have…(Required)

Aged 25 or over

A practising Catholic

Employer approval/endorsement

Relevant safeguarding and Working with Children Check requirements

Able to meet the physical demands of the pilgrimage

Available for required preparation and WYD27 dates

References

Referee 1(Required)

Full Name

Position/Relationship to Applicant(Required)

i.e. Parish Priest, Youth Leader, Teacher, Employer

Organisation/Parish(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Referee 2(Required)

Full Name

Position/Relationship to Applicant(Required)

i.e. Parish Priest, Youth Leader, Teacher, Employer

Organisation/Parish(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Parish or Community Pilgrim Application Form
+ Small Group Leader Application Form

Before you begin:

Key Preparation and Formation Dates

Pilgrim Details

WYD27 Pilgrimage – Medical & Wellbeing Assessment

Upload your GP Clinical Statement

Upload your Priest or Community Leader Endorsement

Consent

Small Group Leaders

Small Group Leader Application

Selection Criteria

References

What happens after you apply?

Preparing for WYD27

Parish or Community Pilgrim Application Form+ Small Group Leader Application Form

Before you begin:

Key Preparation and Formation Dates

Pilgrim Details

WYD27 Pilgrimage – Medical & Wellbeing Assessment

Upload your GP Clinical Statement

Upload your Priest or Community Leader Endorsement

Consent

Small Group Leaders

Small Group Leader Application

Selection Criteria

References

What happens after you apply?

Preparing for WYD27

Key Preparation and Formation dates+

Parish or Community Pilgrim Application Form
+ Small Group Leader Application Form