World Youth Day USA Guides Retreat Manual | Page 50

Third Retreat Experience: Meeting Jesus, Who Walks With Us in Our Suffering
Throughout the World Youth Day preparation

brought about by sin. In this particular case, the

and experience, pilgrims will meet many people,

scribes scoff that Jesus dares to forgive the

including those who struggle living in poverty.

paralyzed person of his sin. But the mercy of

There are also many international World Youth

God heals. The person not only rises, but

Day pilgrims who have sacrificed a great deal to

carries his mat all the way home. His healing

travel to the host country, especially those

shows that compassion and mercy allowed him

pilgrims of impoverished nations. All people

to move beyond the sufferings of his illness.

suffer to various degrees and in many different

In this retreat, there will also be an opportunity

ways – for some, it is economics; for others, it

to learn about the Church’s teachings on

is physical, mental, or spiritual; for some, it can

solidarity and social justice, to hear a young

be persecution, oppression, or violence.

adult’s experience of living out the social

Moreover, none of us is free from the suffering

teachings of the Church in their lives, and an

that comes from the consequences of our sins

optional service experience where pilgrims can

or the sins of others.

place themselves directly in solidarity with and
service to others. In light of these experiences

This retreat experience focuses on an encounter

and reflecting on the Scriptures, the retreat will

with Jesus, who is with us in our suffering.

invite pilgrims to reflect upon questions such

With the World Youth Day theme of “Blessed

as: What ties you down to your mat? How do

are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”

you encounter those who are poor and those

(Mt 5:7), this retreat aims to help pilgrims better

who are marginalized? Do you secretly think

understand how to receive mercy and

that they deserve their situation? The goals of

compassion from God and others, and how

this particular World Youth Day retreat are:

they are called to extend mercy and compassion

(1) to help pilgrims recognize their dignity

to all, grounded in their call to be missionary

and the dignity of others; (2) to encourage

disciples (and not simply to do good deeds).

pilgrims to more readily offer mercy, not blame;

During this experience, pilgrims will hear about

(3) to seek and trust in the Lord’s forgiveness

the healing of the paralytic, who at first is

of our sins; and (4) finally, to invite W