World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 43

pace of this accompaniment must be steady

communities, and how those areas of concern

and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and

can be addressed or responded to, especially

our compassionate gaze which also heals,

with the energy of young people. Knowing the

liberates and encourages growth in the

“mission field” before receiving a commission

Christian life. (169)

at World Youth Day gives the pilgrims a frame
of reference – so that they can be better

Only through such respectful and

prepared when they return home and get into

compassionate listening can we enter on the

the difficult work of tending the wounds of

paths of true growth and awaken a yearning

people, culture, and situations in their local

for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond

environment.

fully to God’s love and to bring to fruition
what he has sown in our lives. (171)

When pilgrims have an informed eye set on the
future, World Youth Day can be even more

Unpacking the Holy Father’s apostolic

enriching. When pilgrims see that their ultimate

exhortation on evangelization is a great first

goal is being a missionary disciple in their

step in teaching young people how to

community, World Youth Day can be the place

evangelize and share the Gospel with others. As

where they are recharged, refueled, and

he notes, it will require them to listen more

renewed for that mission work on behalf of

than speak – and to act with reassurance,

those in need. When pilgrims see that true

compassion, healing, and encouragement. In

destination is the Kingdom of God, then World

the same light, it will be helpful for young

Youth Day becomes an exciting encounter that

pilgrims – before going to World Youth Day –

helps them hear God’s voice through the

to better understand the community from

wisdom of the Holy Father and the bishops of

which they are being sent (and to which they

the world, the company of fellow pilgrims of

will return). Taking a serious look at the

faith, and the guidance and mentorship of their

struggles that their peers and others in their

pilgrimage leader. The end of World Youth

area face every day will help them understand

Day, then, is only the beginning of something

how they can bring that sense of healing and

truly incredible when undertaken as an

love to those in pain. It is also beneficial for

authentic pilgrimage of faith. Helping pilgrims

pilgrims to see where the needs may be in their

grasp this knowledge and appreciate it can lead

parish or diocese, in their school or workplace,

to a lifetime of benefits spurred on by a great

in their families, and in the civic life of their

catalyst experience.
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