World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 12

Encounter, Accompany, Send:
The Role of the World Youth Day Pilgrimage Leader
Leading a group of people on an international

on mission. The encounter, the

voyage can be daunting for anyone. With all

accompanying, and the sending do not just

the logistics to worry about and the

happen on their own. As Pope Francis said,

responsibility of spiritually accompanying a

Jesus Christ “goes before us and guides us.”

cohort of disciples, World Youth Day in

The choice to engage in the encounter, to be

particular can fill ministry leaders with great

accompanied, and to be sent is ours, though.

anxiety. Yet despite this, during each

It is never forced; it is a free choice in

successive international gathering, thousands

response to an invitation from Jesus Christ.

of leaders step forward and take on the

The invitation from Jesus Christ comes in

mantle of a pilgrimage leader, in communion

many ways. The ministry of the international

with the Holy Father.

pilgrimage leader is invaluable for assisting
that invitation.

“Do not be afraid!” When we go to
proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes

These leaders serve World Youth Day

before us and guides us. When he sent his

pilgrims in a unique and privileged way, by

disciples on mission, he promised: “I am

helping open the door to Jesus Christ who

with you always” (Mt 28:20). And this is

encounters, accompanies and sends those

also true for us! Jesus does not leave us

who participate in the experience. God has

alone, he never leaves you alone!

called many ministry leaders to the important

He always accompanies you.

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service to be co-workers in his vineyard. The
pilgrimage leader, then, is engaged in the

Pope Francis preached these words to over

evangelizing work of the Holy Spirit in and

three million people gathered on Copacabana

through the Church that sends the baptized

Beach in Rio de Janeiro and millions more

on mission to encounter, accompany, and

around the world who participated in World

send others. Pictures, mementos, and

Youth Day 2013. He gave everyone a

memories are not the only things that should

mandate to live their encounter with Jesus

be left from the experience of stateside and

Christ, trusting that he accompanies and sends

international WYDs. Rather, a deeper

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Pope Francis, Homily for Closing Mass on Occasion of the
XXVIII World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 2.

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