World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 79

STEP 4: Absence

missionary disciple? Notice what arises within

Leader: As you look back over your time and

your heart and speak openly to Jesus about

experience of World Youth Day, where did you

your hopes, dreams and fears in responding to

struggle to see Jesus at work in your

these calls. After a few moments of silence,

experiences? Was there an encounter with

share with your small group any commitments

someone that did not show Jesus’ mercy? Was

you are looking to make going forward.

there a message you heard that left you feeling
restless? Was there an experience that left you

Pause for a silent prayer time, and then invite

with a decrease in faith, hope and love?

participants into small group sharing. After the small

Speak to Jesus honestly about those

group conversations have ended, address the large group.

experiences. What is Jesus saying to you about

Leader: Gathering all gifts, graces, and prayers

these experiences? Is he waking you to how

together, we stand together, ready to look

you might have acted or not acted? Is he

ahead, supported by the prayer Jesus taught us.

showing you an area in need or a place of
surrender? After a few moments of silence,

Our Father, who art in heaven… Amen.

I invite you to pick one thing and share that
within your group.

DISCERNMENT OVERVIEW
NOTE TO LEADER: This time will be spend

Pause for a silent prayer time, and then invite

helping participants learn about discernment, especially

participants into small group sharing.

in relation to what God is calling them to after the
World Youth Day mountaintop experience. It might be

STEP 5: The Future

helpful if someone from a religious community or

Leader: In light of all you have received, what

vocations work could assist with this process, especially

might Jesus be inviting you to do next? What

those skilled in spiritual discernment. Leaders may use

concrete actions is Jesus inviting you to take in

the following text and process, unless an outside leader

terms of deepening your relationship with

has a process they would like to share with the group.

him? What concrete actions is Jesus inviting
you to take in terms of bringing the World

Leader: As we gather back together, we are

Youth Day message of “blessed are the

going to move into a discernment process to

merciful” home? How might this group

discern what Jesus is inviting us to do as we

support each other? What might this group do

move forward. Discernment plays a significant

together to bring the message of mercy

part in the Christian experience and helps us to

outward? How might you be called to be a

reflect deeply on what God is calling us to do.
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