Virtual World Youth Day Pilgrimage

As our fearless leader Father Ben says: "For the techies among us."

For the first time ever, individuals can make a virtual pilgrimage to World Youth Day using a social media tool developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Communications Department.

They have created a Facebook application (that can be added to ANY Facebook fan page) and a website for non-Facebook users where individuals can create an avatar and use it to participate in the virtual pilgrimage. A Google map provides visuals of where pilgrims are coming from and where they are in Madrid. We’ve also created a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virtual-World-Youth-Day/155152027881863) where virtual pilgrims can view live video feed from Madrid, follow key twitter feeds and blogs, and upload photos and videos. Those in Madrid can also contribute content to the page from the event.

Directions for adding the Facebook application to your fan page are attached, and non-Facebook users who wish to create an avatar can go to http://www.virtualworldyouthday.org/.

Help us promote Virtual World Youth Day by adding the app to your Facebook fan page (if one exists), urging non-Facebook members to go to the website and encouraging people to “like” Virtual World Youth Day’s Facebook page and create avatars there (if you do not have a fan page to add the app to).

Please also note that when individuals register for the avatar, they are agreeing to allow the USCCB to share their contact information with their home diocese. After World Youth Day, the USCCB will provide this information to dioceses requesting it.