World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 57

“With these words, Jesus is speaking to Pope Francis spoke about this affirmative
each one of us, saying: ‘It was wonderful to response of young Mary of Nazareth in a video
take part in World Youth Day, to live the message to WYD Panamá pilgrims saying,
faith together with young people from the
four corners of the earth, but now you must We are accompanied on this journey by
go, now you must pass on this experience Our Mother, the Virgin Mary. She
to others.’ Jesus is calling you to be a encourages us with her faith, the same faith
disciple with a mission!” that she expressed in her song of praise.
Mary said, “The Mighty One has done great
The end of WYD was only the beginning. Pope things for me” (Lk 1:49). She knew how to
Francis explained that the beatitudes should be give thanks to God who looked upon her
the action plan for the young people’s lives: littleness, and she recognized the great
“Look, read the Beatitudes: that will do you things that God was accomplishing in her
good!” Like Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, “the life. So, she set off to visit her cousin
man of the beatitudes,” the young adults of Elizabeth who was old and needed her to
WYD were to be simple and pure in heart; to be close by. Mary did not stay at home
peacemakers, hungering for righteousness and because she was not a young couch potato
justice; poor in spirit; strong in the face of who looks for comfort and safety where
persecution. For the upcoming WYD, the Holy nobody can bother them. She was moved
Father has asked pilgrims to focus on the call by faith because faith is at the heart of Our
God gives every person, and to continue their Mother’s entire life story.
vocational pathway with a spirit of discernment.
God does so, he is looking at all the love
The image to encapsulate this message that he
you are able to offer. Like the young
chose for this WYD is the young Mary of
woman of Nazareth, you can improve the
Nazareth who was asked by the angel to share
world and leave an imprint that makes a
in God’s plan (Lk 1:26-38). Mary responds to
her vocation with the words, “Behold, I am the mark on history ‒ your history and that of
handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me many others. The Church and society need
according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) you. With your plans and with your
courage, with your dreams and ideals, walls
of stagnation fall and roads open up that
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