World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 6

First, the Leaders Guide explores what it means and/or community, including the friends and
to be a pilgrim – and in particular, as one who families of participants, to engage them after
participates from afar. This section will also WYD as missionary disciples – that is, being
look at the opportunities and pitfalls of both a follower of Christ (a “disciple”) and
engaging in pilgrimage in the digital age. sent by him into the world (a “missionary”).
Within this section, there are some
The second section of the Leaders Guide suggestions on connecting the experiences of
explores the role you play as a stateside leader. international and stateside WYD pilgrims by
In this section, you are encouraged to go reminding them of their common call to
beyond being an organizer to being a witness. solidarity, witness, and missionary
discipleship. The Leaders Guide, then, is not
The third section is a workbook designed to just a manual for best practices, but a guide
aid you in planning your stateside pilgrimage for forming missionary disciples from all
event. It includes checklists and space for those who embark on a WYD pilgrimage.
brainstorming. This chapter also includes
several templates of stateside celebrations.
You have an important role as a stateside
leader. You and others who have accepted
Finally, the fourth section of the Leaders this challenge follow in the footsteps of great
Guide will explore ways that you can assist Catholic leaders before you. You join the
pilgrims after the WYD stateside event. Often father and patron of WYD, St. John Paul II,
follow-up to ministry programs is overlooked, who as a priest and bishop in Communist-
but it is important to harness the energy and controlled Kraków, accompanied youth and
enthusiasm that an event like this generates young adults on their journeys of faith. His
for the good of the Church and society. example reminds us that this role – the role of
Reunions and faith-sharing immediately a leader who accompanies and journeys with
following the event is helpful, but this others on the road of discipleship – can be
guidebook will go a little deeper. It is meant to equally demanding and rewarding. Leaders
help you to encourage your pilgrims to pray, have a unique opportunity to invite World
reflect, and discern in the time after the WYD Youth Day pilgrims to follow Christ and to
stateside experience. It is also meant to assist nurture that encounter so that they can take
you in preparing your parish, diocese, eparchy, on the task of transforming the world.
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