Making young people visible in their church, community & society
Archdiocese of Dublin
Find out moreApplication & other materialsThe Pope John Paul II Award
The Pope John Paul II Award encourages you to go beyond your comfort zone on a journey of self-discovery. It challenges you to give of your time, your talents, your intellect, and your social skills for the well-being of others and for the Glory of God.”
A Message from the Archbishop of Dublin
The Pope John Paul II Award offers young people the chance to learn the way of service and to develop the skills of Christian leadership. Christian service gives them the opportunity to thank beyond themselves and their own needs and to reach out to others. The way of leadership based on knowing the person and the teachings of Jesus gives them the skills to use their talents with enthusiasm and energy for the benefit of all.
I thank the Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism for promoting the Award in the Archdiocese of Dublin and pray that many young people will be touched through it by the love of Christ.
The Award in the Archdiocese of Dublin
There are 4 Awards - Gold, Silver, Bronze & Papal Cross
Each Award is completed over a 16 month period beginning at the start of the academic year.
Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14, 20 or 26 weeks.
Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.
Gold AwardSilver AwardBronze AwardPapal Cross Award
Archdiocese of Dublin Award Top-Up Suggestions
Top-Ups will go towards the total number of hours an individual has to complete.
Gold: 6 hours
Silver: 4.5 hours
Bronze: 3 hours
Top-Ups can be achieved in a number of ways, for example:
Pilgrimage
Many parishes organise pilgrimages, either specifically for young people, or for the wider parish community, but open to young people. Participation in this type of activity can be part of the Pope John Paul II Award.
Following our experience at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Dublin Archdiocese is offering young people an opportunity to experience the power of the Ignatian spirituality through MAGIS Experiments.
MAGIS is the Latin word for 'more', for people who want to give more on their journeys of faith. Service, Creative and Pilgrimage are the three forms of Magis Experiments. Each form encourages the participants to live together simply and participate in activities that bring them closer to God.
Humanitarian Trips
Trips lasting four days or more to work on specific projects, such as orphanages in Romania or home building in Africa.
Lough Derg - 3 Day Pilgrimage
Each year thousands of people leave behind the hustle and bustle of daily life and go back to basics on Lough Derg. The pilgrimage presents a welcome challenge away from our home comforts, as well as a wonderful prayerful and spiritual experience.
There may be other pilgrimages or activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee for approval.
Downloads
Award Handbook
The Award handbook explains in detail how the Award is run and who is responsible for running the Award in your diocese.
Award Resources
The following forms are required to be completed by each Award participant. Your Award leader will be able to assist you with any questions you have.
Participants Application Form
Download