World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 20

and on websites in the parish, diocese, or

being aware of their own encounters with

other settings connected to the local

others, as well as by supporting the young

celebrations. The pilgrim leader can also

people through challenging interactions.

engage with youth or young adults who are

The encounters – with Christ, the Church,

assisting them in the development of the

other pilgrims, and the many others along way

stateside activities; while it may not be all the

– will often lead to continued encounters far

pilgrims, the ministry coordinator can deepen

beyond the time experienced at World Youth

the encounter with young leaders, enabling

Day. On a practical level, social media, email,

them to accompany their peers during the

letters, and reunions provide means to

event. Forming these relationships in advance

continue the connections made there. On a

of the stateside celebration can not only

deeper level, those encounters and a more

benefit the young people, but also the overall

mature understanding of encountering Christ

experience of the leader.

and the Church help to support the growth of
faith and encourage one another to be of

An Encounter with Others

service to the Lord, to the Church, and to the

The time of pilgrimage, whether stateside or

whole world.

international, is also a time of encounter with
others along the way. The others encountered

ACCOMPANIMENT

will be from a variety of backgrounds and life

Pope Francis says: “The Church will have to

situations. Some of them (including friends,

initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity –

families, and active members of the Church

into this “art of accompaniment” which

community) will be open to encounter with

teaches us to remove our sandals before the

the leader and with pilgrims, while others

sacred ground of the other. The pace of this

(including distant friends and acquaintances,

accompaniment must be steady and

vendors and secular partners, news media, and

reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our

the general public) will be indifferent at best

compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates

and hostile at worst. The important thing in

and encourages growth in the Christian life.”15

all of these encounters for the young people is
to be constantly welcoming, loving, and

A pilgrimage leader is not simply an organizer,

hospitable – truly witnessing “the joy of the

but one who spiritually accompanies a

Gospel.” Pilgrim leaders can assist them by

community (and not just the young people,

15

Evangelii Gaudium, 169.

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