World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 37

Spiritual Preparation short moments of spiritual formation (prayers,
If the goal of a local WYD pilgrimage is to Scripture verses, catechesis, explanations, etc.)
help young people encounter Jesus, then for those who are considering attending.
spiritual preparation before the stateside event
is essential. However, it may also be difficult The 2019 World Youth Day theme (Lk 1:38)
to do, considering many participants may just is a great start, but also consider various
show up at the WYD event. Before and Marian devotions (since WYD 2019 has a
during the stateside celebration, provide special connection to the Blessed Mother) or
moments for pilgrims (and potential pilgrims) prayers with some of the intercessory saints
to reflect on the idea of going on a journey. and blesseds for World Youth Day.
Through your ongoing ministry efforts prior You may also consider giving or making
to the stateside event, help young people see available to young people in your area the
how the concept of pilgrimage is an important World Youth Day USA Pilgrim Journal written
part of the Catholic experience. by the USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage,
Family Life and Youth (and available through
If there are international WYD pilgrim the USCCB Store at www.usccb.org). The
spiritual preparation events in your area (like Journal is designed for both international and
retreats, days of prayer, catechesis, and so stateside pilgrims to use in the months leading
forth), and if the international WYD organizer up to, during, and following the WYD events
is open to it, consider extending the invitation in January 2019 – and includes prayerful
to these programs to youth and young adults reflections, information on the saints, and
who may be planning to attend your stateside other insights for the WYD pilgrim.
gathering. This may be especially important
for any young people who are part of the Finally, consider your own spiritual
stateside planning team. Consider gathering a preparation. Pray with the Lord about how he
group of young people regularly for prayer, wants this stateside event to go. Let prayer
catechesis, or community-building prior to inform and bolster all your preparation efforts
your program, with a continued invitation to and those of your planning team. Encourage
the stateside gathering in January 2019. Doing others to pray for pilgrims and planners, and
this will exhibit to the youth and young adults pray in solidarity with those attending the
that pilgrimage is more than one-time events. international World Youth Day events.
In publicizing the event, consider offering
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