World Youth Day USA Guides International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 37

to become more than a history lesson or a

that takes place throughout the journey:

devotional exercise. Because of the intensity of

walking to catechesis, meals, central events,

this subject matter, it is important to prepare

churches and sanctuaries, bathrooms…

pilgrims for the Via Crucis by praying and

Walking reminds pilgrims to be in solidarity

reflecting on it in advance. This can help

with those, especially in impoverished areas,

pilgrims appreciate and enter into what may be

who live without transportation and who have

a dramatic presentation on pilgrimage. Leaders

to make long journeys for work, food, and

can draw connections to the global reminder of

shelter. Walking among groups reminds them

the Via Crucis that the crosses of injustice,

that any pilgrimage is not done alone, but in the

violence, suffering, prejudice, addiction,

company of fellow travelers who support and

persecution, and death are realities for many

encourage them every step of the way. Walking

people around the world, including those

also gives pilgrims time to think, to pray, to

marginalized in the United States. Pilgrims who

sing, and to engage in deeper conversations

view the Stations can be called to act with

with others along the road. Leaders can help

mercy, justice, and charity like the Blessed

pilgrims treasure the challenges of walking so

Mother, Simon of Cyrene, Veronica, or the

much, as well as the regular waiting that occurs

Women of Jerusalem in the Passion account.

on the way to and during World Youth Day (at

Likewise, leaders can connect the Via Crucis to

the airport, on the road, prior to central events,

the pilgrims’ personal lives, when they have

while waiting for meals, and so forth). These

experienced deep and profound suffering and

moments of walking and waiting, then, can be

loss, joining the fragile moments of their lives

opportunities for pilgrims to open themselves

with the trials and Passion of Christ, ultimately

up to the graces of anticipation, sacrifice, and

pointing to the power of the Cross through the

expectation, similar to the blessings of the

Lord’s Resurrection. In advance of World

seasons of Advent and Lent.

Youth Day, spending time explaining and
accompanying young people through the

Preparing the pilgrim group in advance of these

Stations of the Cross can be very helpful.

World Youth Day sites and events will not only
make the experiences more bearable, but it will

Spiritual preparation is not limited to equipping

also make them catechetically and spiritually

pilgrims for formation and devotion, but also

enriching. The leader can turn moments into

the mundane aspects of World Youth Day.

milestones with good spiritual preparation in

One of those elements is the constant walking

the weeks and months leading up to the trip.
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