World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides International Leader Guide | Page 54

The Sacrifice of Joining a Group The book, Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Remind pilgrims that they sacrifice some of from the USCCB (available online through the
their individual freedom when they join a USCCB Store at www.usccb.org), has some
group, whether that group is five people, fifty excellent prayer services for the departure,
people, or five hundred people. They need to journey, and return of pilgrims. Anyone may
trust their pilgrimage leader and follow lead many of the prayers contained in the book,
instructions, even when they might rather do including the “Blessing of Travelers.” Consider
something else. This is essential to using the prayers with your entire group or
communicate to young adult pilgrims who may encourage parishes or dioceses to use them to
feel entitled to, and accustomed to, more send off their pilgrims. The book is portable
independence. Make sure these young adults enough for pilgrimage leaders to carry with
understand that if they choose to join the them to Panamá. Additional prayers and guides
pilgrimage to WYD, they are agreeing to a set can also be found at www.wydusa.org.
trip itinerary. This should deter pilgrims from
going rogue or trying to change their travel Pilgrimage Leader Supplies
reservations during the pilgrimage. In addition to your own personal supplies, you
should consider bringing extra gear, even if it
Traveling with a large group is hard. On a means checking an extra bag. You may want to
spiritual level, the challenges that are inherent in bring some basic office supplies, inexpensive
group travel can be integrated with a lesson on radios, duct tape and blue tape, tarps and beach
the value of community and sacrifice. Leaders mats, sticky notes, pens, a compass, zip-ties,
can point out that the good of the group must small clear bags, and garbage bags.
outweigh the preferences of the individual.
You could also purchase some of this in
Pilgrim Blessings Panamá. Having these extra items is helpful
Maintaining a prayerful spirit at WYD is when you have a with large group faced with
essential to the true success of the pilgrimage. unexpected circumstances, bad weather, or
Pilgrims must be reminded of this constantly, even just having a pilgrimage meeting or
and pilgrimage guides must seek as much as pausing for a time of prayer and reflection.
possible to model a recollected attitude.
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