World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 26

faith, are agents of evangelization, and

and the relationship that we have with him

it would be insufficient to envisage a plan

nurtured through prayer. Leaders are called to

of evangelization to be carried out by

be regularly engaged in these efforts (ongoing

professionals while the rest of the faithful

formation, witnessing to our faith) if they are

would simply be passive recipients. The

to model them for pilgrims.

new evangelization calls for personal

The parish is a regular place where leaders and

involvement on the part of each of the

pilgrims are both nurtured by Christ through

baptized. Every Christian is challenged,

the community of faith, where they can grow

here and now, to be actively engaged in

in Christ through the sacraments, and where

evangelization; indeed, anyone who has

they can encounter Christ in those around

truly experienced God’s saving love does

them, especially in the poor and the suffering.

not need much time or lengthy training to
go out and proclaim that love. Every

Yet leaders and pilgrims cannot remain within

Christian is a missionary to the extent

the comfort of the parish understood

that he or she has encountered the love

narrowly within its buildings. They (and any

of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer

Christian for that matter) need to move

say that we are “disciples” and

outward to others and assist them in

“missionaries”, but rather that we are

encountering Christ.34 Leaders and pilgrims

always “missionary disciples.”33

are encouraged to look beyond their parish
boundaries and buildings to find more

Bringing Christ to others (as a missionary

settings where their call to missionary

disciple) compels one to know and live the

discipleship can take root and flourish.

faith. Being catechized does not simply mean
knowing the faith; it means also witnessing to it

Missionary disciples are sent to not only

in our lives. Ongoing adult formation in the

preach, but to heal (see Lk 9:2,10:9). The

faith is a dynamic process that continues to

world is in need of so much healing—in need

take place throughout our life.

of life-giving love. All the baptized can and
must be bearers of love. The baptized share in

Additionally, growth in faith is not done

the mission of Jesus Christ as priest, prophet,

alone; rather, it is the work of Christ within us

and king.35 Faith is not meant to be kept to

33
34

Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120. Emphasis added.
See Evangelii Gaudium, no. 121.

Cf. Lumen Gentium, 10; 31; Catechism of the Catholic Church,
783-786.
35

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