World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 13

and young adults. Inclusion of parents,

prayer vigils, and the concluding Papal Mass

children, and older members of the

over streaming video. Advancements in

community serves to foster a greater sense of

technology have made the use of Skype or

community and eliminate divisions. All of

FaceTime through Wi-Fi and wireless

these actions strengthen the bond between

hotspots a way to connect pilgrims back to

the pilgrim and the community and help to

the community in real time. Imagine and plan

shape the corporate identity of the pilgrims, that

how this can affect stateside gatherings and

community role that should be part of every

coordinate the effort to make it happen.

pilgrimage of faith.
Promoting stateside pilgrimages and events is
During the international World Youth Day

a dynamic way to decrease the isolation and

events, social media can be promulgated

“Facebook envy.” Having something special

widely. It is important for leaders to

planned for stateside pilgrims (an experience

encourage people to make the virtual

distinct from and unique from the

pilgrimage in a spirit of solidarity and unity.

international pilgrims overseas) can further

Physical pilgrims can push out blogs, posts,

heighten the experience of the local pilgrim

and tweets thoughtfully and with prayerful

(in other words, just as international young

intentionality, remembering to pray for the

people will get to see the Pope in person,

community back home. Encourage them to

what unique thing can stateside pilgrims

tell the story and let the technology help

experience?). Gathering with other stateside

them. Create a press release and try to make

pilgrims is a great way for those young people

contact with reporters of major television

to feel part of something special. When an

stations and papers that will cover the event.

individual is with others, it is easier to “feel”

Reporters always want to cover the “local

the corporate identity spoken about before. It

story” and viewers want to see it.

helps to be in the presence of others who
organically hunger to connect with the

It is also possible to initiate