World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 24

Youth Day can identify others who may serve

“evangelizing means bearing personal witness

well as future leaders. World Youth Day

to the love of God, it is overcoming our

leaders have been called by God for this

selfishness, it is serving by bending down to

service, often through the invitation of

wash the feet of our brethren, as Jesus did.”26

another. Now the leaders are called also to do

Most young people want to be of service to

the same for a younger person, inviting them

others, but often do not know how. The

to take on the mantle of leadership.

pilgrim leader can assist youth and young
adults in reflecting on what ways they can be

The lifelong pilgrim lives the encounter with

of service to the Church and to those in need

Jesus Christ in daily life. Gathering stateside

in the world, particularly the poor and by

and international pilgrims after World Youth

providing opportunities or pointing to

Day can help all young people share and

opportunities to serve. This is our way of

integrate their experiences and, ultimately,

showing the love of Christ to the world. The

build upon them. For example, many World

leader can witness to the fact that “to love

Youth Day pilgrims are also discerning their

means to serve and service increases love.”27

vocation in life. The leader assists in this
discernment process by not only witnessing to

Sending Forth

one’s own vocation in life, but by also

The actual World Youth Day gathering,

encouraging pilgrims to consider the vocation

whether it occurs overseas or in various places

of marriage, consecrated life, or priesthood.

throughout the United States, will ultimately

On a practical note, it might involve good

come to an end. Therefore, the leader needs

conversations during the journey and hosting

to send forth those who gather, but not simply

a gathered session in the weeks or months

by dispersing participants at the end of the

following World Youth Day that helps youth

gathering. People have changed during the

and young adults explore the notions of

time of pilgrimage due to the various

vocation and discernment.

encounters and the accompaniment, even if
they do not fully perceive or understand it.

Living the encounter with Jesus Christ also
means being of service, which evangelizes

Similar to the dismissal at every Mass,

others. Pope Francis teaches that

stateside pilgrims need to “go, glorifying the

Homily for the Closing Mass on the Occasion of the
XXVIII World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 3.

27

Pope Benedict XVI, “Meeting with Volunteers of the
XXVI World Youth Day, August 21, 2011.

26

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