World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 82

Scripture: Jn 20:18-22

Invite people up one by one and hand them the small

Reader:

gift. After they come forward and receive their gift,

In the evening of that first day of the week,

invite them to respond to the following:

when the doors were locked, where the
disciples were, for fear of the Jews,

I commit to bring Jesus’ message of mercy

Jesus came and stood in their midst

to (insert their goals/mission).

and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them

Leader: Go now and be missionary disciples,

his hands and his side.

like the first Apostles, and set the world ablaze
with the joy of the Gospel and the mercy

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the

and love of Christ, rooted in your hearts

Lord. [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be

and minds. Let the lessons and the spirit of

with you. As the Father has sent me, so I

World Youth Day always guide your steps

send you.” And when he had said this, he

in the years to come.

breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the holy Spirit.”

NOTE TO LEADER: If the commissioning takes
place in the context of a Mass, the presider can offer a

Leader: Jesus sent his disciples forth.

special blessing to the participants to send them on their

“As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

way. Otherwise, a simple blessing can be offered by a

We are sent out also just as the disciples

priest if one is present at the retreat or commissioning

were once sent. The first disciples were not

service. This final portion of the retreat can conclude

alone. They went out with the gift of the

with the singing of a hymn on mission, commissioning,

Holy Spirit. We, too, are not alone as we go

or ministry, or with the 2016 World Youth Day theme

out and bring Jesus’ message of mercy and love

song, “Blessed are the Merciful” (in English, Spanish,

to the world. The Holy Spirit is with us guiding

Polish, or whatever language is most appropriate to the

our actions and steps. We invite you to come

local community). This prayer and final blessing

forward and receive this small gift as a reminder

concludes the World Youth Day retreat experiences.

that you are not alone as you return home and
that you are being sent forth by Jesus.

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