World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 22

CATECHETICAL PRESENTATION
Pilgrimage

“JESUS IN THE SCRIPTURES”

What makes World Youth Day a “pilgrimage”

NOTE TO LEADER: For this session, you will

and not simply a vacation, a travel excursion, or

need a dry erase board or large sheets of white paper (for

a just a chance to go to another country?

a collective brainstorming activity, with markers). When
speaking about Christ, it might also be good to have the

1. There is intentionality about pilgrimage. It is

New Testament and the Catechism of the

a journey with great purpose. We are called

Catholic Church on hand for reference, especially if

by God and sent out to be evangelizers. As

specific questions arise on this topic. The retreat leader

pilgrims, we are evangelizers of our local

may use the text here as suggested notes for this session.

community and the Church from the
United States. We also know that people at

Two-Fold Purpose for Today:

home will be praying with and for us during

1) Meeting Jesus as he encounters people in

the events of World Youth Day, supporting

Scripture – We will spend some time reflecting

us and journeying with us in solidarity as

on Jesus, specifically Jesus as pilgrim. We will

stateside pilgrims of faith.

consider how Jesus encountered people in
2. Pilgrimage, no matter where or how it takes

Scripture, and how we encounter him through

place (stateside or internationally), is also

the living word of God.

about encounter. In the same way that Jesus

2) Meeting Jesus who encounters us

encountered many people throughout the

through the Church, in particular at World

Gospels, we hope to encounter the Lord

Youth Day – Jesus invites us to follow him in

and fellow disciples along the way to World

community with others. We will consider how

Youth Day.

Jesus invites us to encounter him through the
life and community of the Church and in all our

3. The experience of pilgrimage is

encounters with others. Specifically, we will

transformative. While vacations are relaxing

explore how we encounter Christ during our

and excursions are adventurous, a

time at World Youth Day, a pivotal moment of

pilgrimage transforms a person in their

the universal Church for all generations.

heart, mind, and soul.

As a result of their

journey, a pilgrim sees the world differently
But first, let us explore the very concept of

and begins to act, speak, and think anew. It

pilgrimage: that unique road we walk upon as

truly transforms and illuminates them.

we meet the Lord along the way.
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