DignityUSA Pilgrims Prepare for World Youth Day
Join CTA & DignityUSA for a Webinar on World Youth Day 2023
Tuesday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT
Register here!
This webinar will be live-streamed on the CTA Facebook page.
For World Youth Day 2023, Call To Action is collaborating with DignityUSA to help support Dignity pilgrims as they prepare for their trip to Portugal. During this webinar, you’ll hear about the history of Dignity’s World Youth Day pilgrimage as well as the history of this CTA-Dignity partnership. Dignity pilgrims will then discuss their goals for this upcoming pilgrimage and why queer Catholic visibility at World Youth Day is necessary and important.
Initiated in 1985 by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day unites millions of Catholics in their late teens, 20s, and 30s for an international festival of prayer, reflection, and celebration. World Youth Day 2023 will be held between August 1 and 6 in Lisbon, Portugal.
DignityUSA is raising $50,000 to send 11 pilgrims to Portugal for World Youth Day. Dignity pilgrims either identify as members or allies of the LGBTQ+ community and are looking to raise awareness, acceptance, and visibility of queer Catholics. Help support these Dignity pilgrims by contributing to their pilgrimage fund.
Featured World Youth Day Pilgrims
Photo courtesy of Audrey Carroll
Audrey Carroll (CTA Re/Generation alumna)
Audrey (she/her) is a 24-year-old ally residing in Chicago, Illinois. She has worked with NETWORK Lobby and is a member of Call to Action’s Re/Generation program for young leaders. As an experienced communications professional, Audrey has had the opportunity to work with many Catholic social justice organizations, as well as with many interfaith organizations. She is looking forward to the opportunity to be in communion, and celebrate with, other young Catholics. Audrey says: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss the future of the Church concerning LGBTQIA+ people, a matter close to my heart.”
Photo courtesy of Brian Frank
Brian Frank
Brian (he/him) is a 32-year-old gay man from Brooklyn, New York. He is a member of the Dignity/New York chapter and is a regular lector and choir singer. Brian enjoys photography, theater, traveling, and community service. Brian is looking forward to having positive and encouraging interactions with other young pilgrims, while being a visible and proud witness for LGBTQIA+ faith. He says: “If my presence and visibility can help save the faith of just one Catholic LGBTQIA+ person, I will consider this journey a victory.”
Photo courtesy of Cait Gardiner
Cait Gardiner
Cait (they/them) is a 20-year-old queer, non-binary pilgrim from Olney, Maryland. They are passionate about uplifting the voices of marginalized communities and making civics education accessible. At World Youth Day, they would like to engage with what it really means to be a LGBTQIA+ Catholic. They say: “I want to be a light to others navigating the difficult experience of reconciling their sexual orientation with their faith.”
