World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 67

Prayer Experience: On the Road to Emmaus
A favorite Scripture passage about people on

journey with one another and that Jesus wants

journey is the story of the Road to Emmaus

to share his story with us as well.

(Lk 24:13-35). This post-resurrection narrative
takes place between two disheartened travelers

This exercise can be done during a retreat prior

who are leaving Jerusalem. While they walk

to World Youth Day, or during World Youth

along the way, they are accompanied by a man

Day. If it is included in the time of preparation,

whom they do not recognize. They share with

the pilgrim leader might consider encouraging

him all that they have experienced in the

participants to carry a full backpack and treat

previous days. He listens to them, and in return,

this time of walking as an opportunity to

he breaks open the Scriptures to them. They are

practice the challenging pilgrimage walks that

so enamored by his presence that they invite

are a part of World Youth Day, and begin to

him to stay. As they share a meal together, he

get a sense of the physical challenges that

blesses the bread which they are about to share,

accompany pilgrimage. This exercise can also

and they recognize him as Jesus, the Risen One.

be used very effectively during the World

You are invited to use the story of the Road to

Youth Day events, especially on the way to one

Emmaus as a pilgrimage prayer experience

of the catechetical sessions, as an evening

prior to or during your group’s time at World

reflection at some point during the trip, on the

Youth Day. Invite pilgrims to reflect not only

way to one of the central events (Opening

upon the words of the Scripture passage, but to

Mass, Papal Welcome, Via Crucis), or when the

feel truly present to and aware of what happens

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