World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 51

Suggested Outline
1. Introductions/Check-In (15 minutes)

5. Small Group Discussion (20-30 minutes)

2. Opening Prayer: Lectio Divina:

6. Peer Presentation (15 minutes)

The Healing of the Paralytic (30 minutes)
7. Personal Reflection Time (15-25 minutes)
3. Catechetical Presentation: Solidarity and

Suffering (30 minutes)

8. Small Group Discussion (20-30 minutes)

4. Personal Reflection Time (15-25 minutes)

9. Closing Ritual/Prayer (15 minutes)

TOTAL TIME (without breaks): 3.0 to 3.5 hours
If the schedule and space permit, a Mass may open or, more appropriately, close this retreat experience.
Once participants have had a chance to know and pray with each other during this experience, a
liturgical celebration would be an ideal way to offer the emotions and thoughts generated in the retreat
up to God through the celebration of the Eucharist. The experience of the Mass also unites those on
retreat with other pilgrims across the United States and around the world in preparation for World
Youth Day – as the Eucharist is our common source and summit. Closing the retreat in such a liturgy
would also mirror the closing of the World Youth Day experience in Kraków with the Closing Mass
with Pope Francis in July 2016 (and the Closing Masses of stateside celebrations throughout the United
States taking place concurrently with the events in Poland).
10. Service/Justice Experience – length up to organizers
NOTE TO LEADER: After the retreat experience or on another date in the near future following this
retreat, it is highly recommended that pilgrims engage in active service or social justice work in their
local community. This allows the pilgrims an opportunity to move beyond talking about social teaching
and into a lived experience of showing solidarity with those who struggle and suffer, especially the
poor. It should also be noted that service and justice are distinct. Charitable works are short-term
emergency assistance for individuals, while social justice addresses systematic, root causes of problems
that affect many people. For more about this distinction, go to: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-andteachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/two-feet-of-love-in-action.cfm.
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