For Young Pilgrims
Youth Retreats & Pilgrimages
A generation is on the move. From World Youth Day in Lisbon to walking the Camino de Santiago to retreat centres in Kerala — young Catholics are discovering the power of sacred travel. Here is a guide to making that journey.
Why Youth Pilgrimage?
Something happens when young people walk the Camino, or stand in the Cenacle in Jerusalem, or gather with a million other Catholics for World Youth Day. The experience of faith as something vast, ancient, global, and vibrantly alive — rather than merely personal and private — is irreplaceable and often life-changing.
Youth pilgrimage is not tourism. It combines physical challenge, community, prayer, and encounter — with sacred places, with other believers, and with questions about God, purpose, and vocation that are particularly pressing in young adulthood.
Top Destinations for Young Pilgrims
Walking 100–800km across Spain to the tomb of St James. The most popular pilgrimage route for young people in the world. Suitable from age 16 with adequate fitness.
The Pope's gathering of the global Catholic youth, held every 2–3 years. Millions of young Catholics from every continent. Next edition: Seoul 2027.
A week walking the landscape of the Gospels — from Bethlehem to Nazareth to Jerusalem — is uniquely formative for young Catholics.
The Divine Retreat Centre at Potta and other centres offer intensive prayer, charismatic worship, and spiritual renewal for young adults.
The papal basilicas, the catacombs, a Wednesday Papal Audience — Rome offers a crash course in two thousand years of living Christianity.
Retreat Centres
Divine Call Centre, Mulki
, India
"Divine Call Centre, Mulki run by SVD fathers conducts retreats in Konkani, English and Kannada regularly"
Divine Love Retreat Centre, Jalalkhali, W B
Vincentian Ashram, SH 11, Jalalkhali, India
"Divine Love Retreat Centre, Kolkata popularly known as Jalalkhali Retreat Centre is run by the Vincentian Congregation"
Divine Mercy Centre, Secunderabad
Ravindra Nagar, Habsiguda, Secunderabad, India
"Divine Mercy Centre, Habsiguda, Secunderabad is run by the Society of the Holy Spirit"
Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, Chennai
Divine Mercy Nagar Elavur Gummidipoondi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 601201 9790170783, India
"Divine Mercy Retreat Centre, Chennai is run by the Vincentian Congregationa at Elavur, Gummudipoondi"
Divine Retreat Ashram, Delhi
Bathola, Baroli P.O. Tigaon Road, Sector 82, India
"Divine Retreat Ashram, Delhi was set up in Faridabad by the Vincentian congregation."
Divine Dhyana Illam, Coimbatore
Chinthamani, Pudur, Coimbatore, India
"Divine Retreat Centre, Coimbatore is known as Divine Dhyana Illam founded by the Vincentian Congregation"
World Youth Day
The largest regular gathering of young people on earth. One week that changes everything.
Read More →Pilgrimage Resources
A Word for the Young Pilgrim
"Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
— Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day 2000