World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 13

us to remove our sandals before the sacred capable of growth, but often we need others to
ground of the other. The pace of this show us what we should work on. The pilgrim
accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, leader offers acceptance of another perso n in a
reflecting our closeness and our compassionate way that may sometimes challenge that person
gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages to a deeper relationship and alignment with
growth in the Christian life.” 7 Christ. Pope Francis warns that we cannot truly
know the “person’s situation” before God from
A pilgrimage leader is not simply an organizer, “without.” 10 God alone knows the person’s
but one who spiritually accompanies a heart. But a leader does know some things
community. Furthermore, the leader is not about choices and behaviors. Pope Francis says
accompanying pilgrims by him or herself. Jesus that the “The Gospel tells us to correct others
Christ, the pope, the bishops, fellow pilgrims, and to help them grow on the basis of a
and others encountered along the way are also recognition of the objective evil of their actions
accompanying them. Added to this, the leader (cf. Mt 18:15), but without making judgments
is also on the journey; leaders themselves are about their responsibility and culpability (cf. Mt
pilgrims. As Pope Francis said, “Although it 7:1; Lk 6:37).” 11
sounds obvious, spiritual accompaniment must
lead others ever closer to God, in whom we The international pilgrimage leader can keep
attain true freedom.” 8 Pope Francis in his this very careful balance through recognition of
apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, teaches his or her own sinfulness and the need for
that good spiritual accompaniment includes mercy. Everyone needs God’s love and mercy;
what might be called growth-inducing a profound awareness of this fact should be an
acceptance and evangelizing service. 9 important aspect of a pilgrimage.
Acceptance and Challenge Everyone who attends the international WYD
None of us is fully mature in our relationship will come with their own struggles, sinfulness,
with Jesus Christ and our neighbor. We are all and personal frustrations. Sometimes these may
7
Evangelii Gaudium, 169. 10 Evangelii Gaudium, 172.
8 Evangelii Gaudium, 170. 11 Ibid.
9 Cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 171-173.
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