World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 40

to embark on missionary work in their home

interest and excitement about pursuing any

country or overseas. Whatever it might be,

vocation, whether it be the priesthood,

World Youth Day experiences can become an

consecrated life, or marriage, or about

integral part of the vocational discernment

following a call to special form of service or

process, opening young people up to the

ministry, including lay ministry. On the topic of

possibility that their lives might be headed in a

priesthood alone, the role of the youth and

new direction in response to God’s call and

young adult ministry leader is one of the most

fueled by such an international gathering.

important factors in the mentorship of those
who discern that calling. Encourage and help

Pilgrim leaders, then, are encouraged to help

them walk through their next steps.

youth and young adults in this discernment
journey, before, during, and after the events of

World Youth Day is full of unexpected

World Youth Day. Consider collaborating with

surprises, some frustrating, and others

local priests and religious communities, as well

invigorating. Instead of having pilgrims see

as marriage ministry leaders and other lay

those moments as failures of planning or

ecclesial ministers, to walk with the young

unfortunate circumstances, stress how those

people on pilgrimage, to serve as mentors and

occasions are ways that the Holy Spirit is

spiritual directors (especially on any retreats,

moving through the activities of the pilgrimage.

reflection days, or service projects), and to

On a vacation, when things go differently than

speak to the pilgrims about their vocation story.

expected, there is stress. On an excursion or

During World Youth Day events in Kraków, be

adventure, the unexpected can be quite

aware of opportunities for young people to

dangerous to the traveler. But on a pilgrimage,

connect with priests, religious sisters and

the sudden turn of events can be seen as

brothers, lay ministers, and married couples

opportunities given by God to encourage us to

who are part of the events, especially if they

explore new paths and open our hearts to new

had previously expressed interest in those

promptings of the Holy Spirit.

vocational pursuits. After the return home,
follow up with any pilgrims who had been

Even as leaders, accepting this reality can be

discerning those pathways, as well as those who

difficult, as having everything go according to

began to express interest because of the

plan can eliminate stress and anxiety; however,

inspiration or formation in Kraków. In all of

the Holy Spirit challenges pastoral leaders as

this, be positive and open to those who express

much as pilgrims on this international journey.
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