Seoul names patron saints for WYD 2027, highlighting faith amid struggle and witness
Vatican News • • world
Key Points:
- The Local Organizing Committee for WYD Seoul 2027 has selected five patron saints—Pope St. John Paul II, St. Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Josephine Bakhita, and St. Carlo Acutis—reflecting the event’s themes of truth, love, and peace.
- These saints represent diverse continents and generations, with lives marked by challenges such as war, displacement, slavery, and modern cultural issues, resonating with contemporary youth experiences.
- The selection involved a nationwide survey of young people, youth ministers, and pastoral workers, followed by study and reflection by young volunteers to prepare prayers and symbolic representations.
- Cardinal Kevin Farrell emphasized the saints’ role in inspiring young people to embrace their vocations with courage and generosity, highlighting holiness as an attainable ideal even in difficult contexts.
- Organizers plan to promote the saints through official platforms and programs, including an interactive feature called “Meet Your Patron Saint!” to engage youth ahead of the 2027 event.
