( Misericordiae Vultus , 12 ) and to proclaim mercy in every corner of the world , reaching every person , young or old .” 20
The role of the leader continues after the stateside event comes to an end . All pilgrims are sent forth and called to live as missionary disciples . You assist , equip , and accompany pilgrims so that they might come to a deeper understanding of their experiences . In so doing , they can more fully live out the WYD encounter with Jesus every day .
Continuing the Pilgrim Journey At WYD , the Church puts its trust in the young . WYD pilgrims need to be trusted to “ leave a mark on history ,” as Pope Francis said at the final gathering in Kraków . 21 He challenged young people to courageously “ set out on new and uncharted paths . To blaze trails that open up new horizons capable of spreading joy .” 22 The theme of WYD 2019 is “ I am the servant of the Lord . May it be done to me according to your word .” 23 Leaders can prepare pilgrims to be more sensitive to the voice of the Lord in their lives by encouraging them to remain close to the Sacraments , providing them resources for vocational discernment , and creating communities from which they can draw strength and courage .
The pilgrim journey is a lifelong one that might include additional WYDs , possibly even leading a pilgrimage in the future . World Youth Day leaders , international and stateside , have been called by God for this service , often through the invitation of another .
The lifelong pilgrim lives the encounter with Jesus Christ in his or her daily life . Gathering those stateside pilgrims along with the international pilgrims after WYD can help the young people share and integrate their experiences and , ultimately , build upon them . For example , many WYD pilgrims are also discerning their vocation in life . The leader assists in this discernment process by witnessing to his or her own discernment process or current vocation and encouraging pilgrims to consider God ’ s calls . This may take place in conversations during the journey but also during the weeks or months following World Youth Day .
Living the encounter with Jesus Christ also means being of service . Pope Francis teaches that “ evangelizing means bearing personal
20 Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2016 , May 15 , 2016 .
21 Pope Francis , Prayer Vigil with the Young People , XXXI World Youth Day , July 30 , 2016 .
19
22 Ibid .
23 Lk 1:38 .