Serving as Co-Director of Youth in Europe, Mario St Francis has played an active role in assisting Catholic youth in deepending their faith through various pilgrimages all across the globe. Youth in Europe is an experienced, passionate and faithful Catholic organization that has taken thousands of teens and young adults to the past 7 International World Youth Days. Check out this vital ministry in the Church!

Join Youth in Europe on a Spiritual Pilgrimage in the search for Truth, Goodness, Beauty and Holiness.

Do you have an adventurous group who wants to experience the best of Europe and World Youth Day while on a faith-filled pilgrimage?  When you team up with Youth in Europe you get pilgrimage guides that are faithful, knowledgeable, fun and who are an inspiration.  Dioceses, parishes, movements and schools from around the world have entrusted Youth in Europe with inspiring their youth.

Get Youth in Europe for your next pilgrimage! 

Why Youth in Europe?  YIE's founder, Steve Kerekes, began with a tremendous desire to evangelize our youth through pilgrimages to Europe and World Youth Day. Their knowledgable guides share that same zeal as faithful, living witnesses of the Catholic Faith (see quotes below).

Professionalism is driven by our concern for souls. Youth in Europe's unparalleled WYD experience in Denver, Manila, Paris, Rome, Toronto, Cologne and Sydney gives them a unique perspective on the event and in the way they lead groups. With Youth in Europe it is not just a trip, it's a true pilgrimage.

Mission Statement: Youth in Europe is not simply a company with a mission statement, they are missionaries with a company. YIE shares a common mission with youth ministers around the world, to evangelize, catechise and change lives. They create opportunities for the youth to open their hearts to the Grace of God on pilgrimages to Europe and World Youth Day.

Philosophy: Their philosophy is simple: teach teens and young adults how to grow closer to God by removing the clutter of life and making room for Grace. Youth in Europe travels close to the ground encountering the history and culture of the people.

Quotes from some of the previous pilgrims: 

Thank you for putting together such an amazing pilgrimage for our group. It not only met, but exceed all of our expectations.

My goal for this trip was a simple one, to have my youth group experience their Catholic faith. They not only experienced it, but they grew in it, and walked away stronger in their Catholic identity.

We also could not have asked for a better tour leader. Anthony was the icing on an already great pilgrimage. His knowledge of Rome and all the great places he took us was nothing compared to his passion about the Catholic Faith. Our group made several comments about how exciting it was to listen to him, and you couldn't help but be interested in what he was talking about because he truly believed it from his heart. He truly lead by example, and I firmly believe that he lead our youth to a much greater experience through prayer and understanding then any text book, or tour company could have done.

My biggest reservation about this pilgrimage before we left was the diverse age group that was coming. Anthony was very compassionate with our older guests, while never taking anything away from the youth and their pilgrimage. I know our group could be a challenge… as several times it was to me, but Anthony just smiled and took it for what it was.

Outside of the great patience you had with our group, I would also like to Thank you and compliment you putting together such a great and flexiable pilgrimage. It was nice not to be "locked-in" to too many places, times, tours allowing us the ability to take in the moments. I look forward to doing business with you guys again. Amy L

My overall impression concerning the trip to Europe was that it was absolutely incredible.  I can surely say I had the best time of my life..  Youth from California

I don't think there are words to express how much I enjoyed that pilgrimage... even though there were some points in the trip where I was uncomfortable, and sick, I felt as if those times were beneficial to me.  After all, shouldn't everyone try to offer up some self-sacrifice?  Young Adult from New Mexico

Thank you for a wonderful experience.  Your team provided us with incredible hospitality and professionalism.  They were all very competent and were always concerned to provide us with whatever we needed provided it was possible and reasonable.   Chaperon from California

My over all impression was that Youth in Europe is a very well run organization that is doing a wonderful thing for everyone. I really enjoyed going and i would love to travel with Y.I.E again.  Youth from Montana

Awesome.  At first I was forgetting the phrase:  "Pilgrimage not vacation," but when I got that into my head I began to have a great respect for your work.  Giving us the opportunity to offer penances and mortifications was beneficial to all the souls in the world.  Young Adult from California

I had an awesome time!  It was a completely different experience than Toronto... It really was the trip of a lifetime!  Youth from Florida