MountStJoseph_News_PanamaStudents at 34 Sydney Catholic schools are preparing to ‘say yes’ to the spiritual adventure of a lifetime.

World Youth Day festivities will all but take over the city of Panama from 22-27 January 2019, celebrating around the theme of Mary’s words in Luke 1:38: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Among the thousands of young Catholics in attendance will be 110 students from Sydney Catholic schools, fresh from one of two pilgrimages to Mexico or Washington DC.

Though their trip will take in historic sites including the White House, Aztec pyramids and the Smithsonian, students who spoke to About were most excited about opportunities to celebrate their faith with people from all over the world.

[how] people act regarding their faith, and seeing how it’s different to Australia,” said Year 10 Holy Cross Catholic College Ryde student Christopher Picollo. “Looking at the different churches, how they’re built, how prominent they are and just seeing how I can ignite my own faith in a different way,” he said.

“And being able to celebrate Mass with the Pope” added Year 10 Mt St Joseph Catholic College Milperra student Mikaela Jago, “I just feel like that’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”