World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 18

A service that all can give to each other on

and live the encounter with Jesus in and

pilgrimage is living discipleship in a full and

through his Church among their peers and

intense way, witnessing through word and

in their daily lives.

especially deeds the joy found in life in Christ.
Continuing the Pilgrim Journey
SENDING

At World Youth Day, the Church puts its

Pope Francis asks us: “Where does Jesus send

trust in the young. pilgrims need to be trusted

us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends

that they will make the type of “noise” that

us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone,

Pope Francis called them to do at the last

not just for some. It is not only for those who

gathering in Rio de Janeiro.14 He challenged

seem closer to us, more receptive, more

young people to assist the Church in “going

welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be

out into the streets.”15 The theme of World

afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area

Youth Day 2016 is “Blessed are the merciful,

of life, to the fringes of society, even to those

for they shall receive mercy” (Mt. 5:7).

who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The

Leaders can prepare pilgrims to live mercy

Lord seeks all, he wants everyone to feel the

more fully in their lives after the pilgrimage

warmth of his mercy and his love.”

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experience, especially through works of
mercy, charity, and justice and through

The role of the leader continues even after the

depending on the Lord’s mercy, especially in

events of World Youth Day come to an end.

the Sacrament of Reconciliation.16

The journey does not conclude, though, when
the pilgrim arrives back to their parish, home,

The pilgrim journey is a lifelong one that

workplace, or campus. Instead, it continues

might include additional World Youth Day

onward because all pilgrims are sent forth and

experiences, possibly even being a pilgrimage

called to live as missionary disciples.

leader in the future. A leader for this World

The leader assists, equips, and accompanies

Youth Day can identify others who may serve

all pilgrims in this act of “coming down the

well as future leaders. World Youth Day

mountain” so that they might come to a

leaders have been called by God for this

deeper understanding of their experiences

service, often through the invitation of

Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXVIII
World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, no. 1.
14 Pope Francis, Meeting with Young People from Argentina,
XXVIII World Youth Day, July 25, 2013.

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16

Ibid.
Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2237-2449.