The Archdiocese of Seoul held a solemn yet spirited send-off on July 19 for over 1,000 young Catholics set to embark on “Project 1004,” a large-scale pilgrimage to Italy in preparation for the Jubilee of Youth in Rome.
Held at the aula magna of Dongsung High School, the event marked the official launch of the project, which brings together 1,078 youth pilgrims under the symbolic name “1004” — a reference to the Korean word cheon-sa, meaning both “angel” and the number 1004.
The initiative aims to spiritually and communally form young Catholic leaders as they journey toward the Jubilee and prepare for the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.
From July 28 to August 3, the pilgrims will travel in 18 smaller groups to Catholic heritage sites in Assisi, Milan, and Turin, where they will participate in prayer, formation sessions, and moments of encounter.
The groups will later reunite in Rome to take part in the official Jubilee of Youth activities, including the pilgrimage to the four major basilicas.
The July 19 send-off began at 6:30 p.m. with an orientation session focused on fostering unity and spiritual readiness. Participants joined in group chants, practiced basic Italian expressions, and engaged in gestures of encouragement for their fellow pilgrims.
At 7:30 p.m., the community gathered for the Send-off Mass, presided over by Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul and General Coordinator of the World Youth Day Seoul Local Organizing Committee. Over 60 priests concelebrated the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Lee drew from the Gospel account of Martha and Mary. “Remember that the true purpose of this pilgrimage is to encounter the love of the Lord, who comes to serve us,” he told the assembled youth.
During the Mass, all 1,078 pilgrims took a solemn pledge to “love one another, give their best efforts, and be witnesses of hope throughout the journey.”
The pilgrimage includes a special liturgical moment on July 31, when the entire group will gather at 10:00 a.m. for Mass at the Basilica of San Crisogono in Rome.
Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul and titular cardinal of San Crisogono, will be the main celebrant. Bishop Lee will deliver the homily.
The group is expected to depart for Italy in the coming days.
