World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 14

leader to be able to assist someone else. Pope

Who has not been moved by the scene of

Francis in his 2015 World Youth Day

hundreds of thousands of young people from

Message gave a few ways to renew this

all over the world together with the Holy

encounter daily: through participation in the

Father in silent adoration before the Blessed

Sacraments, particularly Eucharist and

Sacrament? All ministry leaders need to be

Reconciliation, reading Sacred Scripture,

prepared and help prepare pilgrims for this

personal prayer, and serving those in need,

encounter with the Church. The preparation

particularly the poor.5 Ministry leaders are

can begin with the pilgrimage leader learning

encouraged to tend their relationship with

more about the variety of cultures they will

Christ on a constant basis. Once they commit

encounter in Kraków. Reading, asking

to doing this regularly, they can then invite

questions, and participating in Masses of

their pilgrims to do the same before, during,

different cultural groups can assist pilgrims in

and after the time of pilgrimage.

this preparation. Learning more about the
diverse spiritual lives of the people of one’s

An Encounter with the Church

diocese is critical in being able to authentically

The encounter with Jesus Christ is always

celebrate and share that experience as part of

done in and through his Church. We

the international celebration.

are a community of faith that is diverse,
international, and multicultural. The leader

An Encounter with Fellow Pilgrims

will need to be prepared for this encounter

In most instances, the international pilgrim

with the Church Universal and her chief

leader is not going to meet pilgrims for the

shepherd, the Holy Father.

first time at the airport when they are about to
depart for Kraków. This means that there is

The Pope, who is Vicar of Christ, “is the

time to prepare the pilgrims prior to departure

perpetual and visible source and foundation

for Poland. Retreats, prayer experiences,

of the unity both of the bishops and of the

catechesis and formation, charitable activities

whole company of the faithful.”6 World

and social justice initiatives, fundraisers, and

Youth Day is a very public opportunity for

social events are wonderful opportunities for

young people to witness the unity of the

learning and reflection. So, too, are pre-trip

Church in the midst of its great diversity.

communications through emails, social media,

5
6

Pope Francis, Message for the 30th World Youth Day, 3.
Lumen Gentium, no. 32; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 882.

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