World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 24

pure of heart and mind.” 29 In a note to his example of the saints, especially those
sister, Frassati commented, “You ask me if I connected to Panamá and to young people.
am happy. How could I not be? As long as faith Meeting those holy men and women, or visiting
gives me strength, I am happy. A Catholic their sacred sites, can be done throughout the
could not be other than happy... The goal for preparation process in the U.S. and at WYD
which we were created involves a path which itself. The saints give pilgrims a recipe for
has its thorns, but it is not a sad path. It is joy, responding to the demands of holiness and
even when it involves pain.” 30 Happiness at Christ’s invitation to perfection. The spiritual
WYD, then, is about naming and finding joy in writer Thomas Merton identified a path to
all the graces that are being given to the “simple sainthood” – to abandon ourselves, to
pilgrims. Discovering these graces is best done be reconciled, and to be loving. Becoming
in the company of good companions. One of saints does not require performing miracles in
the important aspects of WYD is that pilgrims this life or writing volumes of theological text;
journey in groups. When the journey gets it does require living out the virtues of faith,
difficult, having companions makes the hope, and charity, and allowing ourselves to be
challenges more bearable. In times of joy, open to God’s grace in our lives. Encourage
companions share in each other’s happiness pilgrims to look deeper at their own lives and
and augment it. Good companions also hold consider how they are called to be saints.
each other accountable and remind each other
to seek God. Encourage Christian WYD allows pilgrims a chance to walk with a
companionship and camaraderie throughout mentor. Pilgrims need someone to talk to, to
the preparation for WYD, and remind pilgrims trust, to follow, and to help them understand
to keep their circles open to new people. how God is working in their lives. The WYD
leader cannot be the only one filling this role; it
WYD offers young men and women an
is important to have a great team to help.
opportunity to connect to the great saints of
the past. Encourage pilgrims to follow the
29
30
Frassati, Pier Giorgio, “Letter to Members of the Catholic
Youth of Pollone (July 29, 1923),” qtd. in Blessed Pier Giorgio
Frassati: An Ordinary Christian by Maria Di Lorenzo. Trans.
Robert Ventresca (Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2004), 123.
Frassati, Pier Giorgio, “Letter to Luciana Frassati (February
14, 1925),” qtd. in “Message of the Holy Father on the
Occasion of the Twenty-Seventh World Youth Day” by Pope
Benedict XVI. (Vatican City: Liberia Editice Vaticana, 2012), 6.
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