World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 72
person to develop as part of a healthy faith
You can also use the Pentecost reading (Acts
life. It is especially important at this point in
2:1-11) as well to help pilgrims reflect on the
their lives as they are considering many
Holy Spirit in their lives.
options regarding their future and where God
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
may be leading or inviting them.
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful.
If a local vocation director or religious
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
community has a particular discernment
Send forth your Spirit
activity, it would be ideal to invite them to
and they shall be created.
lead this session and to partner/collaborate
And you will renew the face of the earth.
with them here. Ideally, this gathering would
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
include those leading youth and young adult
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
ministries, vocation ministries, and marriage
In the same Spirit
ministries in the community (parish, diocese,
help us to relish what is right
campus, etc.). Below is a suggested outline of
and always rejoice in your consolation.
a discernment exercise that may also be used:
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.39
You will need:
Using the questions in the previous section,
A room that is large enough that group
give the pilgrims a chance to write about their
can spread out comfortably
World Youth Day experience and to reflect
Scripture passage: Matthew 5:7
specifically on where and how the Lord might
(World Youth Day 2016 theme)
be calling them to show mercy to others,
especially through their dreams for the future
Paper and pens to write with for
(career, relationships, studies, etc.). This could
everyone in the group
be set up by a discussion about forgiveness
A prayer space with an altar or
and Pope Francis’s message about the theme
offering bowl
from Matthew 5:7 (or other Scripture passages
on mercy, compassion, and forgiveness).
Start with an opening prayer that invokes the
Holy Spirit (see the example provided here).
39International
Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.
“Prayer to the Holy Spirit “from A Book of Prayers.
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