In August 2011, the young people of the world will gather in the beautiful Spanish capital, Madrid, for International World Youth Day.

The Spanish Military Archdiocese has invited Catholics and non-Catholics of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to attend this amazing celebration of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the Catholic Diocese of the ADF has been commissioned to organise pilgrimages for an ADF delegation to World Youth Day Madrid 2011.

DAYS IN THE MILITARY DIOCESE & WORLD YOUTH DAY - Departing Australia on Friday 5 August 2011, this is a 21 day pilgrimage that will begin at Lourdes in France, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette. Organised by the French Military Diocese, this pilgrimage will consist of a spiritually and mentally challenging walk across the Pyreneese Mountains from Lourdes to the French-Spanish border. ADF pilgrims will be joined by hundreds of other military members from NATO and other forces.

From the border, military pilgrims will be transported by vehicle to Madrid where we will join millions for a week of World Youth Day celebrations. Military pilgrims will be accommodated at the Cuatro Vientos Air Force Base where Pope Benedict XVI will be celebrating the final Mass!!!

After World Youth Day, ADF pilgrims will participate in a short spiritual and reflective retreat in Singapore before returning to Australia on 25 August 2011.

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DIRECT TO MADRID - Departing on Friday 12 August 2011, this pilgrimage will travel directly to Madrid. You will have free time over the weekend prior to the start of World Youth Day week to explore Madrid and some of the beautiful cities such as Toledo and Avila which are full of historical tradition and culture. This group will join up with other ADF pilgrims who will arrive in Madrid from their pilgrimage walk from Lourdes.

Click here for more information about this pilgrimage

To register to be an ADF pilgrim to World Youth Day Madrid, click on the red button on the left menu. For additional information, click on the yellow button on the left menu or email Chaplain Damien Ellis (damien.ellis@defence.gov.au).

Closing Date for Registration is Friday 10 June 2011