World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 14

be shared, and sometimes not. Good pastoral earlier, they are both followers of Christ
leaders recognize these moments and (disciples) and sent by him (missionaries).
accompany their pilgrims through their
presence, invitation, and encouragement.
The people participating in WYD have chosen
to be there. Therefore, the opportunity is ripe
Evangelizing Service for these young men and women to deepen
When a pilgrim experiences mercy and healing their commitment to be disciples of Christ
in Christ, he or she may desire to evangelize Jesus, making the choice to do so in response
and serve. As the Holy Father said, “Our to their encounter with the Lord and others
personal experience of being accompanied and who are witnessing Christ to them.
assisted, and of openness to those who
accompany us, will teach us to be patient and Effective ministry leaders can witness to this
compassionate with others, and to find the discipleship in all that is said and done on the
right way to gain their trust, their openness and pilgrimage – from email communications and
their readiness to grow.” 12 World Youth Day announcements prior to and during the event
provides youth and young adults a chance to to answering the same question for the fiftieth
step into servant leadership. time. The experience of pilgrimage and the
encounters involved will also help the leader
grow as a disciple.
From its start, WYD has offered participants an
opportunity to be evangelized and to
evangelize. Leaders and pilgrims embark on the SENDING
journey with the hope that they will have a Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus extends an
deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and others. invitation to us: “We can say that World Youth
Often, they experience personal transformation, Day begins today and continues tomorrow, in your
reconciliation, and renewed life in Christ. This homes, since that is where Jesus wants to meet
cannot be kept to oneself. you from now on. The Lord doesn’t want to
remain in this beautiful city, or in cherished
The leader and pilgrims accompanying one memories alone. He wants to enter your homes,
another are “missionary disciples”; as noted to dwell in your daily lives: in your studies, your
12
Evangelii Gaudium, 172.
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