World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 5

Introduction to the Guide
Congratulations! You have decided to host a indulgence, he not only included those
stateside pilgrimage for World Youth Day. traveling to Rio, but also those “who are
You have embarked on an adventure of legitimately prevented” from traveling and
visioning, planning, organizing, budgeting, those who would be following the activities
negotiating, and executing an event. You have “in spirit…via television or radio, or always
also embarked on a process of helping young with appropriate devotion, by the new means
Catholics encounter Christ and walk in of social communication… wherever they
solidarity with fellow disciples in their local may be during the above-mentioned
community and in solidarity with World gathering.” 1 In this way, Pope Francis showed
Youth Day pilgrims from around the world. us that the WYD pilgrimage is not limited to
The goal of this Stateside Pilgrim Leaders Guide the young people who can travel
is to assist in making the planning less internationally, but to all. In the age of global
daunting and the experience more fruitful. media and social networks, a new kind of
“digital pilgrim” has emerged. Stateside
When Pope John Paul II came to Denver, gatherings, like the international pilgrimages,
Colorado, for World Youth Day (WYD) in can provoke a transformative or conversion
August 1993, it was a watershed moment for experience in the lives of pilgrims.
youth, campus, and young adult ministries
across the United States. As each year passes, What is often unexpected in this process is
the international WYD experience continues the change that occurs in the hearts and
to be a significant moment in the li fe of those minds of ministry leaders. The men and
who participate in the host nation and, in women who coordinate stateside WYD
ever-increasing numbers, those who take part experiences may continue to witness a
digitally and through at-home, “stateside” transformation in and conversion of their
WYD experiences in their home country. own hearts and ministry efforts. The Stateside
Leaders Guide seeks to share perspectives,
In 2013, when Pope Francis offered World information, and resources that can be helpful
Youth Day pilgrims a plenary and/or partial to stateside pilgrim leaders.
1
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/docume
nts/rc_trib_appen_doc_20130709_decreto-indulgenze-gmg_en.html
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