Encounter , Accompany , Send : The Role of the World Youth Day Pilgrimage Leader
Leading a group of people on an international trip can be daunting . With all the logistics to worry about and the responsibility of spiritually accompanying a cohort of disciples , WYD can fill you with anxiety . Yet , thousands of people continually step forward and take on the mantle of a pilgrimage leader , in communion with the bishops and the Holy Father .
Co-Workers in the Lord ’ s Vineyard
“ The Lord does not keep his distance , but is near and real . He is in our midst and he takes care of us …” 1
Pope Francis preached these words at the Shrine of Czestochowa at WYD 2016 . He reminded the young people that Jesus Christ comes to encounter us in real and personal ways . He accompanies us , and sends us on mission to do the same in the lives of others . Jesus Christ is in our midst , encountering , accompanying , and sending . But the choice to engage in the encounter , to be accompanied , and to be sent is ours . It is never forced ; it is a free choice in response to an invitation from Christ .
The invitation from Jesus Christ comes in many ways . The work of an international leader is invaluable for assisting that invitation .
Pilgrimage leaders serve WYD pilgrims in a unique and privileged way , by helping open the door to Jesus Christ through the experience . God has called many ministry leaders to the important service of being co-workers in his vineyard . The group leader , then , is engaged in the evangelizing work of the Church through the grace of the Holy Spirit who sends the baptized on mission to encounter , accompany , and send others . Facilitating a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and his Church , and sending missionary disciples forth into the world , is the goal of any Catholic pastoral leader .
ENCOUNTER There are a variety of encounters that take place at World Youth Day : with Jesus , the Church , other pilgrims , and others along the way . Each of these encounters is an opportunity to experience Christ . The international pilgrimage leader helps to make those encounters possible , memorable , and lasting .
1 Pope Francis , Homily for Mass on the Occasion of XXXI World Youth Day , Kraków , July 28 , 2016 , 5 .
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