World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 21

involvement on the part of each of the

The parish is a regular place where leaders and

baptized. Every Christian is challenged,

pilgrims are both nurtured by Christ through

here and now, to be actively engaged in

the community of faith, where they can grow

evangelization; indeed, anyone who has

in Christ through the sacraments, and where

truly experienced God’s saving love does

they can encounter Christ in those around

not need much time or lengthy training to

them, especially in the poor and the suffering.

go out and proclaim that love. Every
Christian is a missionary to the extent

Yet leaders and pilgrims cannot remain within

that he or she has encountered the love

the comfort of the parish understood

of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer

narrowly within its buildings. They (and any

say that we are “disciples” and

Christian for that matter) need to move

“missionaries”, but rather that we are

outward to others and assist them in

always “missionary disciples”.24

encountering Christ.25 Leaders and pilgrims
are encouraged to look beyond their parish

Bringing Christ to others (as a missionary

boundaries and buildings to find more

disciple) compels one to know and live the

settings where their call to missionary

faith. Being catechized does not simply mean

discipleship can take root and flourish.

knowing the faith; it means also witnessing to it
in our lives. Ongoing adult formation in the

Missionary disciples are sent to not only

faith is a dynamic process that continues to

preach, but to heal (see Lk 9:2,10:9). The

take place throughout our life.

world is in need of so much healing – in need
of life-giving love. All the baptized can and

Additionally, growth in faith is not done

must be bearers of love. The baptized share in

alone; rather, it is the work of Christ within us

the mission of Jesus Christ as priest, prophet,

and the relationship that we have with him

and king.26 Faith is not meant to be kept to

nurtured through prayer, the sacramental life,

oneself or locked in church; instead, it is

and our witness and service. Leaders are called

meant to be compassionately shared with all.

to be regularly engaged in these efforts

Good leaders embrace their role to heal the

(ongoing formation, witnessing to our faith) if

woundedness of the pilgrims in their care.

they are to model this for pilgrims.

24
25

Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120. Emphasis added.
See Evangelii Gaudium, no. 121.

Cf. Lumen Gentium, 10; 31; Catechism of the Catholic Church,
783-786.
26

19