World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 59
World Youth Day Follow-Up:
Connecting Stateside and International Pilgrims
It is important to remember that the impact
the Good News, but the saving mystery of the
of any pilgrimage, stateside or international,
Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord
should not end at the experience itself. As
was yet to come, followed by the Lord’s
leaders, we should help participants engage in
Glorious Ascension and the outpouring of the
a type of “mystagogical” reflection on the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The same goes for
journey – whether it is near or far – that they
World Youth Day pilgrims: the best is yet to
just experienced. (To be “mystagogical” is to
come, if the mountaintop is experience is seen
un-pack the spiritual meaning of the sacred
as a moment of refueling, re-energizing, and
moment, similar to the formation following
re-focusing--as a means, not the end. And just
the sacraments of initiation and R.C.I.A.).
as Jesus accompanied the disciples from the
It is equally important that we seek ways to
top of Mount Tabor into the valleys below, so
build the solidarity and communal experience
too must pilgrim leaders accompany the
by encouraging dialogue and relationships
participants beyond the last moment of a
between stateside and international pilgrims.
pilgrimage event and help them to be
The pilgrim comes from a community and
integrated in the Church’s life and mission.
returns to a community; therefore, cultivating
that pilgrim-and community-relationship can
Plan beyond the ending. Even before the
indeed strengthen the Church, the Mystical
preparations begin, consider what take-aways
Body of Christ, and draw her members across
you desire for the stateside pilgrims after their
the world into deeper solidarity.
local World Youth Day pilgrimage experience.
What should the stateside pilgrim (or any
Consider what took place following the
World Youth Day pilgrim) take away from
experience of the Transfiguration in the
this event?