FOR their first trip overseas, Michael Turton and his son Robbie figured they’d aim high.
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The pair will leave today to join an estimated 3 million people from around the world in Krakow, Poland, for World Youth Day.
The pair, from Booragul, will be among 71 local pilgrims making the trek from the Catholic diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
“It’s a good thing that we’re going in company,” Mr Turton said.
“We’re both a bit reserved, and we like our own space, and our own elbow room.”
Mr Turton doesn’t expect that there will be much of that on offer at the main event.
“But being in such a big gathering is going to be awe-inspiring,” he said.
“I’ve seen pictures of last year’s World Youth Day in Rio, and there were people just covering every part of the beach – and it’s a big beach.”
Pilgrims will take part in a 27-day journey following in the footsteps of the saints through Italy and Poland before joining the estimated 3 million people to celebrate their Catholic faith with Pope Francis in Krakow from July 25 to 31.
The diocese's pilgrimage is unique in that it is inter-generational, with the youngest pilgrim being just 14 years old, and the oldest 74.
Mr Turton said he hoped the trip would enable him to build a closer spiritual bond with his son.
“And I’m hoping it will deepen my understanding of my faith and my religion’s roots,” he said.
Sight-seeing will be a highlight of the trip.
“I’m really looking forward to Pompei. It’s one of the places that we’ll visit as an aside from the pilgrimage,” Mr Turton said. “And of course Rome, where there is just so much history.”
Robbie, 16, is a year 11 student at St Paul’s High School, Booragul.