World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 11
media might respond negatively because she
those participating in World Youth Day from
sees “happy” people while she herself is not.
afar and via technology by striving to cultivate
Emotions might erupt over a friend’s good
real relationships and a real encounter with
looks, jealousy over another’s vacation
the Lord … and that is the power and
pictures, or apathy towards another’s success.
potential of stateside celebrations.
In fact, the research showed that 36% of
respondents in the survey demonstrated
WYD is meant for the world
negative reactions to what they saw on
St. Paul says: “For as in one body we have
Facebook, including sadness, envy, boredom,
many parts, and all of the parts do not have
frustration, loneliness, anger, and so forth.7
the same function, so we though many, are
one body in Christ, and individually parts of
Leaders of dioceses, parishes, and religious
one another.” (Rom 12:4-5)
groups who desire to push out content
about World Youth Day to their
The Church is the Body of Christ. What
constituencies through any form of media
happens for part of the Church happens for
should be cautious. An unintended
all the Church. There are different roles, but
consequence of simply relaying the story
what affects one affects all. What happens to
may be that one-third of the viewers react
one, happens for all, as the members of the
negatively or with no engagement. It is not
Church are “individually parts of one
enough to push out content.
another” in Christ. This is the corporate identity
mentioned above.
Posting and sharing content does not
necessarily yield community and connection.
While World Youth Day is a particular
The key is the underlying relationships and
celebration encouraging the participation of
how such are nurtured. Digital media, at its
young people and young adults, it is an event
best, connects us to people and to
of and for the whole Church, truly meant for
community. Social media is successful
the world, not just for those who can travel
specifically because it is built upon
there. Those who physically go have a great
relationships. Dioceses, parishes, and religious
opportunity and responsibility. Their mission
groups can transform the experience of all