World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 12

is to be ambassadors of solidarity—pilgrims—

to give pilgrims from other countries can

not privileged tourists or vacationers. Their

originate from the ideas and ingenuity of

responsibility to the Church is similar to those

those who remain. Promoting “virtual

who in the book of Deuteronomy were

pilgrimages” should be encouraged with

directed to “go up to Jerusalem.” They go up

special consideration of how to do it well and

on behalf of the whole community, united as

in a spirit of solidarity.

one Body in Christ.
As the pilgrims go forth, the community can
With World Youth Day, so much can get

gather to bless them. The Book of Blessings, the

placed on the pilgrim’s role that the

Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers (published

community’s role is sometimes neglected.

by and available through the United States

How can dioceses, religious communities, and

Conference of Catholic Bishops) and the

parishes foster solidarity among physical

USCCB’s World Youth Day USA website

pilgrims and stateside communities? The key

(www.wydusa.org) have prayers that can be

is preparation and intentionality. Below are

used or adapted. This can be done publicly as

some suggestions to enhance the preparation

part of the community’s liturgy or in a special

for and intentionality around the World

prayer service including the local bishop or

Youth Day celebration.

pastor. Local media can be invited to cover
the event. Media should be prepped with the

Prior to World Youth Day, there should be

talking point that that these pilgrims are going

opportunities for all young people, and even

on behalf of the community and with the community’s

the Church at large, to prepare for the festival.

blessing. At the gathering, or even separately,

Past participants (“World Youth Day alumni”)

community members can write petitions on

can share wisdom and insights in large

small pieces of paper that they entrust to the

assemblies or small groups with new pilgrims.

internationally-bound pilgrims to bring to a

Young adults who are not going can share

shrine, a church, or special place on the

with the pilgrims who are going “messages of

journey to or at World Youth Day. Prayer

hope” or “burning questions about faith.”

partnerships between international and

Through this exchange, the pilgrims can then

stateside pilgrims can be organized. There can

better fulfill their role as ambassadors. Plans

also be an intergenerational aspect to the

can be made by both traveling pilgrims and

exchanges, remembering that World Youth

those remaining stateside. For example, gifts

Day is for the whole Church, not just youth
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