World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 39

you? When did we see you ill or in prison,

death or morning, wailing or pain” and “make

and visit you?” (Mt 25:37-38) These chance

all things new” (cf. Rev 21:4-5a). Pilgrims can

encounters are critically important in those

find grace and joy following unexpected

Scripture stories, and they can be the same for

detours in plans or accidents, made more

World Youth Day pilgrims. The most life-

meaningful by leaders who help pilgrims to

changing meeting is often the one that is never

adapt to the circumstances.

planned, for God may put into the pilgrim’s
path those who could have the greatest impact

On a larger scale, being open to the will of God

on their lives. Encourage pilgrims to open

and being adaptable to wherever the Lord may

themselves up to those moments. Even at well-

be calling means discovering new paths upon

planned events like the midweek catechetical

which to journey from World Youth Day. For a

sessions, a pilgrim may hear something from

great number of pilgrims, this international

the bishop or the animating team that stirs his

gathering has changed the course of their lives.

or her soul in new and unexpected ways.

Whether from an experience during the central

Again, encourage pilgrims to be open to

events or because of a chance encounter,

these new possibilities and insights.

pilgrims have continued to share how
important World Youth Day has been in

Other unexpected moments include finding

discerning God’s call in their life – whatever

meaning and joy in the seemingly frustrating

that call may be. For the past several years,

and negative. Because certain aspects of a

World Youth Day has played an ever-increasing

pilgrimage can be difficult (including extended

role in the discernment process of newly

periods of walking and waiting around,

ordained priests and professed religious sisters

prolonged exposure to sun, heat, or rain, and

and brothers. A number of them have reported

long lines for the bathrooms or meal stations,

that World Youth Day opened them up to a life

as well as cancellations and changes in plans at

of service in the Church, or confirmed for them

the last minute), pilgrims can become

that this was indeed what God was calling them

aggravated and easily upset. Yet with the

to do. Others meet their future spouses at

support of one another and the compassionate

World Youth Day, affirming their vocation to

guidance of the leader, those moments of

the married life. Still others sense a call to

frustration can become opportunities for the

become more active in the life of their local

Lord to enter into the situation, “wipe every

parish community or diocese, to gain a degree

tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more

or continuing education in Church ministry, or
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