Seoul names patron saints for WYD 2027, highlighting faith amid struggle and witness

By LiCAS News

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for WYD Seoul 2027 announced the selection of five patron saints, saying they were chosen in light of the event’s themes of truth, love, and peace.

The list includes Pope St. John Paul II, founder of World Youth Day; St. Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, martyrs of the early Korean Church; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, known for her work with migrants; St. Josephine Bakhita, whose life reflected faith amid suffering; and St. Carlo Acutis, associated with evangelization in the digital age.

Together, the figures span continents and generations, with lives shaped by war, displacement, slavery, and the challenges of modern culture—experiences organizers say resonate with the realities many young people face today.

The selection process began in late 2024 and included a nationwide survey of young people, youth ministers, and pastoral workers, followed by deliberation by the LOC.

A group of young volunteers later spent two months studying the saints’ lives and spirituality, preparing prayers and symbolic representations through reflection and discussion.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, said the patron saints play a central role in shaping the spiritual preparation for the event.

“The patron saints play a fundamental role in the preparation for every World Youth Day. They invite young people, formators, and pastors to reflect on the gift of God’s call, on our baptismal, priestly, religious, and marital vocations, encouraging us to respond to it with generosity and courage in following Christ, who has conquered the world, as the theme of the upcoming WYD reminds us,” he said.

“May the witness of these Patron Saints,” Cardinal Farrell added, “inspire young people around the world, especially in contexts marked by difficulties and persecution, to see that holiness is not a distant ideal, to fix their gaze on Christ and to respond generously to His call.”

Peter Soon-taick Chung, president of the organizing committee, said the saints offer concrete examples for young people.

“These Patron Saints span continents and generations, and each of them offers a concrete path for living the faith amid the realities young people face today,” he said. “I hope that young people will discover in these saints examples for their own lives and, through the journey of preparing for World Youth Day, form a deep spiritual bond with them.”

Organizers said they will continue introducing the saints through official platforms and develop programs to deepen engagement ahead of the 2027 gathering.

An interactive feature titled “Meet Your Patron Saint!” has also been launched, inviting users to answer questions and discover which of the five saints most closely matches them.

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