World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 77

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Like the disciples on Mount Tabor, you

patient with one another, all for the sake of

have had a transfiguring experience of faith;

Christ and his Gospel.
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but remember that, as Jesus accompanied

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So now what? That is the question that we

the disciples up the mountain, he was not

will delve into today. In light of all that we

preparing them for the events at the

have done, received, and learned, what is

summit only, but for the continuing work

Jesus inviting each one of us to do? How

of discipleship and mission yet to be done

are we being called to go forth and bring

after the return journey was complete.

the Good News? How are we to become

Pope Francis has called all Christians to be

missionary disciples?


on fire with the “joy of the Gospel”

Before we go further, we invite you to

through a daily encounter with the Lord,

reflect more thoroughly on the experiences

and thereby to be missionary disciples. In

you have had at World Youth Day – to find

Evangelii Gaudium, the Holy Father says:

the voice of God calling to you through the

“The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a

moments along the journey up to, atop, and

community of missionary disciples who

down from the mountain.

take the first step, who are involved and
supportive, who bear fruit and

EXAMEN OF THE WYD EXPERIENCE

rejoice…Such a community has an endless

Room Set-Up: Small groups of 3 to 4 each,

desire to show mercy…Evangelizers thus

with chairs in circles

take on the ‘smell of the sheep’ and the

Supplies: Pen and index cards and/or paper

sheep are willing to hear their voice. An

with reflection questions

evangelizing community is also supportive,



standing by people at every step of the way,

Leader: God has blessed us abundantly with

no matter how difficult or lengthy this may

our pilgrimage to World Youth Day. I invite

prove to be. It is familiar with patient

you to name, celebrate, and remember all the

expectation and apostolic endurance.” (24)

ways Jesus broke into our lives in our

Inspired by Pope Francis’ words, then, our

formation process and our time together on

missionary impulse must be to support each

World Youth Day. Get comfortable in your

other in our work, to be joyful and

chairs. I will invite you to reflect on a question

merciful, to immerse ourselves in the lives

within the silence of your hearts, and then write

of the poor, the lost, and the marginalized,

notes of whatever comes. Then, I will invite

to encourage those who struggle, and to be

you to share with your small group.

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