World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 71

Vocation Discernment Gathering for World Youth Day Pilgrims

World Youth Day has a growing impact on

to service to others; in addition, it would also

the vocational discernment process of youth

connect pilgrims to the vocation and mission

and young adults, especially evidenced by

of all the baptized in service to the Church,

those studying for the priesthood and entering

which might include the call to lay ministry.

religious communities of consecrated life in
recent years.38 It makes sense.

Gathering Activities
Like other World Youth Day events, begin

The World Youth Day experience is one that

the gathering with team building and

helps young people prayerfully consider what

icebreakers, giving participants the

God is calling them to do with their lives,

opportunity to learn about the experiences of

especially in light of the formation and

other World Youth Day pilgrims. This event

inspiration gained from such a powerful

would be open to both stateside and

encounter with the Universal Church.

international pilgrims, so be aware of the

Realizing this connection can be a great

needs of both (note: the considerations of

occasion to gather together recent participants

bringing these groups together is covered

of stateside and international World Youth

earlier in this guide).

Day celebrations with a particular focus on
discernment and vocation.

Discernment Exercise
Plan an activity to help the pilgrims engage in

It should also be noted that “vocation” here is

the discernment process – to help them better

understood in the broad sense of God’s call in

understand what discernment is, how the

a person’s life. This would encompass the

process works, and ways they can practice

particular vocations to the priesthood,

discernment in their everyday lives. These

religious/consecrated life, and marriage, as

elements, and the notion of making choices

well as the broader call to holiness which