World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 27

oneself or locked in church; instead, it is

Pilgrimage leaders should know that they

meant to be compassionately shared with all.

are united as missionary disciples across the

Good leaders embrace their role to heal the

globe – from those leading pilgrims to the

woundedness of the pilgrims in their care.

global celebration in Kraków to those

The pilgrims themselves can experience this

organizing stateside and digital experiences in

healing ministry from their leaders – and

the United States to international Catholic

ideally, be sent to heal those around them in

leaders planning local events taking place in

the future – from their friends and families

parishes and dioceses on every continent.

who struggle or are wounded to the larger
society and community where they study,

In solidarity with those leaders, and in service

work, and live their young adult lives.

to Christ, who sends us, we gain our strength
for the work ahead of us.

Conclusion: Be Not Afraid
Understandably, it can seem overwhelming to

As Pope Francis told the vast crowd of

be a stateside pilgrimage leader once we

pilgrims and leaders in Rio de Janeiro as they

recognize all the ways God calls us to

were about to embark on a mission of service

effective leadership and missionary

in the world (and which can be applied to the

discipleship – and to create a memorable and

work of the stateside leader today):

holy space for pilgrims to have an encounter
Jesus did not say: “One of you go”, but

with God, with the Church, and with others.

“All of you go”: we are sent together.
Trying to live and lead this mission can be

Dear young friends, be aware of the

frightening. Yet Christ continually reminds us,

companionship of the whole Church and

as he reminded the first missionary disciples:

also the communion of the saints on this

“Do not be afraid...” (Mt 28:10) The World

mission. When we face challenges

Youth Day experience, with its massi fR6