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St. Joseph Richardson - WYD 2027 South Korea & Japan

August 1st - August 9th, 2027
St. Joseph Richardson - WYD 2027 South Korea & Japan image

St. Joseph Richardson WYD South Korea & Japan

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Join St. Joseph Catholic Church on a pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2027 in Korea with a Japan extension. Experience the spiritual heart of Korean Catholicism, visit historic sites, and participate in World Youth Day celebrations. This journey offers opportunities for reflection, cultural immersion, and connection with young Catholics from around the world. 

This pilgrimage is specifically for young adults ages 21 or older. Participants must be 21 or older at the time of the pilgrimage.

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Trip Information

Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026

Price: $4,125

Double Occupancy (Land-Only):

  • Pricing is based on a minimum of 15 participants

  • Flights are NOT included. Airfare is expected to become available in mid-September 2026, at which time we will update the trip price to include airfare once the group is filled.

  • Age Requirement: 21 and older ONLY!

Single Supplement:

  • $950 additional cost per person

Please note: if the minimum number of participants is not reached, the final price per person may increase.

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Contact Information

Office Number: (214) 307-2144

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CT)

Email: info@vocatiotravel.com

Pilgrimage Highlights

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At a glance

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Trip Information

Day 1 - Departure from DFW

01-Aug-2027
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Group Departure from DFW

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Departure from DFW

Flight information to be added in mid-September.

Day 2 - Arrival in Seoul

02-Aug-2027
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Arrive in Seoul, Settle In, and Explore

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Arrival at Incheon International Airport

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Transfer to Accommodation

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Check-in at the Accommodation

Pilgrims gather in the host city for World Youth Day.

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Explore Seoul

Depending on time of arrival.

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Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight Stay in Seoul

Day 3 - Seoul City Center

03-Aug-2027
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Explore Seoul’s Historic and Spiritual Sites

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Explore Seoul – Bukchon Hanok Village

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Visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace

Experience a royal guard changing ceremony.

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Lunch at Gwangjang Market

Enjoy a traditional lunch at the Gwangjang Market and a market tour.

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Visit the Myeongdong Cathedral

The spiritual heart of Korean Catholicism, rich in history and martyrdom, centrally located and essential for understanding the faith journey of the Church in Korea.

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World Youth Day Opening Mass

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Possibility to Attend the Youth Festival Events

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Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight in Seoul

Day 4 - Ganghwa Island

04-Aug-2027
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Ganghwa Island, Buddhist Temple, Martyrs’ Shrine

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Transfer to Ganghwa Island

Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus.

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Visit the Jeondeungsa Buddhist Temple

A serene and visually striking site that fosters reflection and dialogue, ideal for youth groups. Visitors should be prepared to approach it with respect and cultural sensitivity.

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Visit the Ganghwa History Museum

A museum on the Korean conflict – a powerful and meaningful place for youth groups, offering strong catechetical value on division and reconciliation, with open spaces for prayer.

Approximately 1 hour by bus.

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Lunch

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Visit the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine

A significant site in Korean Catholic history, where many believers were martyred during the persecution of Catholics in the late 19th century.

Approximately 1 hour by bus.

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Possibility to Attend the Youth Festival Events and the Catechetical Session n.1, led by a Bishop

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Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight Stay in Seoul

Day 5 - Paju and DMZ Experience

05-Aug-2027
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Explore Paju DMZ, Papal Welcome, Youth Festival

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Transfer to Paju DMZ

Approximately 1 hour by bus.

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Visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel & Dora Observatory

A key historical site related to the Korean War and ongoing division of the peninsula, allowing visitors to understand the geopolitical context and view North Korea from the Dora Observatory.

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Lunch

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Attend the Papal Welcome

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Possibility to Attend the Youth Festival Events and the Catechetical Session n.2, led by a Bishop

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Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight Stay in Seoul

Day 6 - Namyang Shrine and Korean Folk Village

06-Aug-2027
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Pilgrimage to Namyang and Korean Folk Village

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Namyang

A deeply meaningful martyrdom site that offers an immersive experience, helping young people understand sacrifice, faith, and the roots of Korean Catholicism in a powerful and tangible way.

Approximately 2 hours by bus.

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Lunch

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Visit the Yongin Korean Folk Village

Approximately 30 minutes by bus.

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Possibility to Attend the Youth Festival Events, the Catechetical Session n.3, and the Way of the Cross

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Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight in Seoul

Day 7 - Vigil with Pope Leo

07-Aug-2027
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Vigil with Pope Leo and Overnight Under the Stars

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Private Morning Prayers

At the hotel or nearby church.

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Lunch

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Vigil with Pope Leo

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Dinner at the WYD Encounter

Provided by the WYD organization.

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Overnight Under the Stars in Seoul

Day 8 - Sunday Mass and Farewell in Seoul

08-Aug-2027
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Closing Mass, Free Time, and Farewell Dinner

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Breakfast at the WYD Encounter

Provided by the WYD organization.

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Closing Sunday Mass with the Holy Father

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Return to the Accommodation

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Lunch

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Free Time in Seoul

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Farewell Dinner in Seoul

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Overnight Stay in Seoul

Day 9 - Arrival in Nagasaki

09-Aug-2027
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Flight to Japan, Arrival and Free Time in Nagasaki

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Departure Flight to Nagasaki

Flight information to be added in mid-September.

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Arrival to Nagasaki

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Check-in at Accommodation

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Free time in Nagasaki

Depending on time of arrival.

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Dinner in Nagasaki

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Overnight in Nagasaki

Day 10 - Nagasaki Pilgrimage and Remembrance

10-Aug-2027
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Nagasaki Cathedral, Atomic Bomb Museum, Martyrs’ Shrine

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Private Mass

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Visit the Nagasaki Cathedral

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Visit Atomic Bomb Museum

The museum documents the 1945 atomic bombing through powerful exhibits that promote remembrance, peace, and the abolition of nuclear weapons.

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Lunch

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Visit Shrine of the 26 Japanese Martyrs

It commemorates the first Christian martyrs of Japan, executed in 1597, and stands as a powerful symbol of faith and perseverance.

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Dinner in Nagasaki

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Overnight Stay in Nagasaki

Day 11 - Nagasaki Dejima Island and Ohno Area

11-Aug-2027
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Dejima Island, Ohno Area, Hidden Christian Sites

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Private Mass

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Visit Dejima Island

A small artificial island in Nagasaki where Portuguese (later Dutch) merchants were confined during Japan’s isolation period to control foreign trade and limit the spread of Christianity.

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Lunch

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Visit Ohno Area

It is closely linked to Christianity in Japan, as this rural region near Nagasaki was one of the places where kakure kirishitan (“hidden Christians”) took refuge.

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Visit Ono Catholic Church

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Visit Shitsu Catholic Church

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Dinner in Nagasaki

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Overnight Stay in Nagasaki

Day 12 - Hirado

12-Aug-2027
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Explore Hirado and Transfer for Departure

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Breakfast at Accommodation

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Transfer to Hirado

Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by bus.

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Visit Hirado

It is a coastal town known for its historic church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, set amid a landscape traditionally dominated by numerous Buddhist temples.

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Lunch

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Transfer to Nagasaki or Fukuoka

Transfer to Nagasaki or Fukuoka depending on flight option to DFW.

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Dinner

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Overnight Stay

Day 13 - Return Home

13-Aug-2027
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Transfer to Airport and Return Flight

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Transfer to Airport

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Return Flight to DFW

Flight information to be added.

Packages & Add-Ons

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What's Included, What's Not

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What's included

Accommodations

Stay in 4-star hotels

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided each day with a nice farewell dinner.

Transportation

Private bus available from arrival to departure.

All Activities Mentioned in the Itinerary

Local Korean Tour Manager/Guide

One tour manager from start to finish.

Travel Support from Vocatio Team Memebers

Medical Insurance

WYD Registration & Pilgrim Kit

Vocatio Swag

Group-specific Registration & Payment Portal

Contribution Link

What's not included

Round Trip Airfare

Flights will become available in mid-September.

Donations for Churches Visited

Tips for Guide and Driver

In Korea, tipping is not mandatory and is not included in our quotation. However, if your group is satisfied with the service, we usually recommend the following as a guideline: Tour guide (approximately $20–50 per day) and driver (approximately $15–30 per day). These amounts are entirely at the group’s discretion.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Options provided by Vocatio Travel during booking.

K-ETA Form

$8 per person to be paid upon arrival into Seoul

Get Ready

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Travel Checklist

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Register and book your trip!

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Passport Information

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date. You are responsible for ensuring that you have all your necessary travel documents (such as visas) in order before you travel.

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Trip Cancellation Insurance

Packages and options available when you book your trip.

Trip cancellation insurance: https://my.travelinsure.com/nbtravelgroup/?p=50071

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Final Trip Information

About a month before departure, we will share packing information, final trip details, and additional helpful resources.

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Communication Timeline

Wondering what’s next now that you’ve booked? Click this link to view our communication timeline, which includes updates on group flights, hotels, “Know Before You Go” details, and a virtual information session.

Map of the trip locations

Map

A. Incheon International Airport

272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

B. Bukchon Hanok Village

37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

C. Gyeongbokgung Palace

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

D. Gwangjang Market

88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

E. Myeongdong Cathedral

74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

F. Jeondeungsa Buddhist Temple

37-41 Jeondeungsa-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, South Korea

G. Ganghwa History Museum

161, Ganghwa-ro, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, South Korea

H. Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine

6 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

I. Paju DMZ (Dora Observatory)

310 Je3ttanggul-ro, Gunnae-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

J. 3rd Infiltration Tunnel

Je3ttanggul-ro, Gunnae-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

K. Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Namyang

112 Namyang-ro, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

L. Yongin Korean Folk Village

90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

M. Nagasaki Cathedral (Urakami Cathedral)

1-79 Motoomachi, Nagasaki, 852-8112, Japan

N. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

7-8 Hirano-machi, Nagasaki, 852-8117, Japan

O. Shrine of the 26 Japanese Martyrs

7-8 Nishizakamachi, Nagasaki, 850-0051, Japan

P. Dejima Island

6-1 Dejimamachi, Nagasaki, 850-0862, Japan

Q. Ono Catholic Church

Ono-machi, Nagasaki, Japan

R. Shitsu Catholic Church

Shitsu-machi, Nagasaki, Japan

S. Hirado (St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church)

258 Tabira-cho, Hirado, Nagasaki 859-5152, Japan