World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 16

current vocation and encouraging pilgrims to pilgrims that Christ sends forth those who gather,
consider God’s calls. This may take place in equipping them with a mission and a purpose.
conversations during the journey but also
during the weeks or months following WYD.
Like the dismissal at every Mass, pilgrims need
to “go, glorifying the Lord” by their lives. 19 As
Living the encounter with Jesus Christ also Pope Francis confidently told millions of
means being of service. Pope Francis teaches pilgrims as they prepared to leave Kraków in
that “evangelizing means bearing personal 2016, “Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ to him (the
witness to the love of God, it is overcoming Lord) with all your heart, to respond generously
our selfishness, it is serving by bending down to and to follow him! Don’t let your soul grow
wash the feet of our brethren, as Jesus did.” 17 numb, but aim for the goal of a beautiful love
Most young people want to be of service to which also demands sacrifice.” 20 This is the life
others, but often do not know how. of the disciple, the one who is sent. When Jesus
sent out the seventy-two, he had them take little
The pilgrim leader can assist youth and young on the journey, beyond trust in him (cf. Lk
adults in reflecting on how they can be of 10:1-12). They returned to him joyfully telling
service to the Church and to those in need in stories of all that was done in his name (cf Lk
the world. The leader can provide opportunities 10:17-20). Jesus Christ continues to do the
to serve the poor or point to opportunities in same today. The pilgrims are sent on mission –
the local area. The leader can witness to the fact they are missionary disciples.
that “to love means to serve and service
increases love.” 18
Living as Missionary Disciples
When he spoke to the crowd at the end
Sending Forth of World Youth Day in Kraków, Pope Francis
The actual WYD gathering will quickly come to said, “The joy that you have freely received
an end. Therefore, the leader needs to remind from God, freely give away (cf. Mt 10:8): so
many people are waiting for it!.” 21 Just as the
17
19
Homily for the Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXVIII
World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 3.
Roman Missal, Dismissal.
20
Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXXI
World Youth Day, Kraków, July 31, 2016, 7.
18
Pope Benedict XVI, “Meeting with Volunteers of the XXVI
World Youth Day, August 21, 2011.
21
15
Ibid.