World Youth Day 2019 USA Leader Guides Stateside Leader Guide | Page 54
belonging to a community that is over one The call to live in Christ
billion people strong. Even though stateside WYD invites pilgrims to embrace more
events will not involve international travel, deeply the call to live in Christ. In particular,
they can still have an international feel. A two aspects of our relationship with the Lord
large Catholic gathering like this can help might be fruitfully examined after WYD.
pilgrims to recognize that, despite differences
in language, location, and culture, there is The first is the depth and closeness of the
great unity in the traditions of the Catholic pilgrims’ relationship with God. Do pilgrims
faith; one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. trust him as their Father, living as sons or
daughters in the Son, and relying upon the
The call to discover your mission Holy Spirit? The intimacy and personal
The primary theme of the international WYD connection with God that a pilgrim often
in Panamá should permeate the stateside feels during WYD may be sparked by a
experience. This theme, “I am the servant of powerful moment(s) of prayer, praise, or
the Lord. May it be done to me according to connection to the community; a moment(s)
your word “(Lk 1:38) calls all people to where they experience the depth and fullness
understand Mary and to imitate how she of the Father’s love for them. This feeling of
stepped out in faith and embraced her unique intimacy with the Lord can last long after the
vocation. There should be an emphasis at the WYD experience and help the pilgrim to
gathering on God’s call to each participant to make time for prayer and reflection, and live
a special mission in this world. The event the sacramental life with more joy.
should help pilgrims to listen and open their
The second aspect is living out the pilgrim’s
hearts to hear how He is calling them to love.
relationship with God in their day-to-day
The notion of God being constantly at work lives. The encounter with the Lord and the joy
in our lives should challenge stateside pilgrims that comes from it are deeper than any
to reflect on how they may or may not be momentary feeling and help provide direction
open to the Lord’s will in their relationships for our day-to-day journeys. All are called to
and encounters. They should be helped to see seek the Lord continually, to be open to and
where they can make changes to become led by the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, this is about
more courageous and faithful disciples. a graced response to the Great Commission
(Mt 28:16-20). Pope Francis challenges all
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