International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide

WORLD YOUTH DAY USA INTERNATIONAL TM PILGRIMAGE Leaders Guide in preparation for World Youth Day 2019

World Youth Day USA

Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

World Youth Day USA – International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide

Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to the Guide 4

The Pilgrims 6

Encounter, Accompany, Send: The Role of the World Youth Day Pilgrimage Leader 9

Foundations: Pilgrimage and World Youth Day 18 1. Remember that World Youth Day is a pilgrimage (not a vacation). 19 2. Encounter the Universal Church at World Youth Day. 20 3. Celebrate World Youth Day in community and communion. 22 4. Be proud of your heritage of mercy as a pilgrim from the United States. 24 5. Prepare spiritually for your journey. 26 6. Be open to the Holy Spirit, wherever he may be leading you. 27 7. Keep the fire burning… the end of World Youth Day is only the beginning. 30

World Youth Day Resource Logistics: Practical Tips for Pilgrimage Leaders 32

Coming Down From the Mountain: Accompanying Pilgrims on the Return Home 55

APPENDIX: Sample Post-WYD Group Sharing Sessions 61

World Youth Day USA International Pilgrimage Leaders Guide

The World Youth Day USA Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide was developed as a resource and approved by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was authorized for publication by the undersigned.

Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield General Secretary, USCCB

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio © 1990 Libreria Editice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City; Pope John Paul II, “Message of the Holy Father on the Occasion of the Seventeenth World Youth Day,” July 25, 2001© 2001 LEV; Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est © 2005 LEV; Pope Benedict XVI, “Meeting with Volunteers of the Twenty-Sixth World Youth Day,” August 21, 2011 © 2011, LEV; Pope Benedict XVI, “Message of the Holy Father on the Occasion of the Twenty-Seventh World Youth Day,” March 12, 2012 © 2012 LEV; Pope Francis, “Degree of the Apostolic Penitentiary according to which Special Indulgences are grated to the faithful on the occasion of the 28th World Youth Day,” June 24, 2013 © 2013 LEV; Pope Francis, “Meeting with young people from Argentina,” July 25, 2013 © 2013, LEV; Pope Francis, “Homily for the Closing Mass on the Occasion of the Twenty- Eighth World Youth Day,” July 28, 2013 © 2013, LEV; Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium © 2013, LEV; Pope Francis, “General Audience,” September 10, 2014 © 2014, LEV; Pope Francis, “Message for the Thirtieth World Youth Day 2015,” January 31, 2015 © 2015, LEV; Pope Francis, “Message for the Thirty-First World Youth Day 2016,” August 15, 2015 © 2015, LEV; 2017, LEV; Pope Francis, “Message for the Thirty-Second World Youth Day 2017,” Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Introduction to the Guide

Congratulations! You have decided to lead a men and women who guide various pilgrimages pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Panama. to the international WYD may continue to You have embarked on an adventure of witness a transformation in and conversion of visioning, planning, organizing, budgeting, their own hearts and ministry efforts. negotiating, and packing. You have also embarked on a process of helping young The Leader’s Guide seeks to share perspectives, Catholics encounter Christ and walk in information, and resources that can be helpful solidarity with fellow disciples around the to internationally-bound WYD pilgrim leaders. world. The goal of this International Pilgrim Leaders Guide is to assist in making the planning First, the Leaders Guide explores the role you less daunting and the experience more fruitful. play as an international pilgrim leader. In this section, you are encouraged to go beyond being When Pope John Paul II came to Denver, an organizer to being a witness. Colorado, for World Youth Day (WYD) in August 1993, it was a watershed moment for The second section of the guide outlines seven youth, campus, and young adult ministries principles to guide you and suggestions on ways across the United States. As each year passes, to make World Youth Day a true pilgrimage of the international WYD experience continues to faith. This section examines how WYD stands be a significant moment in the life of those who apart from other ministry initiatives for youth participate in the host nation and, in ever- and young adults by its emphasis on solidarity increasing numbers, those who take part and encounter with the Holy Father and the digitally and through at-home, “stateside” Universal Church. It also features ways to WYD experiences in their home country. connect youth and young adults to generations of pilgrim saints and spiritual guides that can The World Youth Day pilgrimage is designed inspire them to live out the call to holiness. to provoke a transformative or conversion experience in the lives of pilgrims, but what is The third section of this Leader’s Guide offers often unexpected is the change that occurs in some practical tools for navigating the size and the hearts and minds of ministry leaders. The 4 scope of the WYD event, and how – as leaders towards missionary discipleship – that is, being – an important part of your role is logistical. both a follower of Christ (a “disciple”) and sent by him into the world (a “missionary”). Finally, the fourth section of the Leaders Guide will explore ways that you can assist pilgrims The Leaders Guide, then, is not just a manual for after World Youth Day. Often, the follow-up to best practices in international travel, but a guide a big event like WYD is overlooked, but it is for forming missionary disciples from among important to harness the energy and enthusiasm those who embark on the WYD pilgrimage. that an event like this generates for the good of the Church and society. Reunions and faith- You have an important role as a WYD leader. sharing immediately following the trip is You and others who have accepted this helpful, but this guidebook will go a little challenge follow in the footsteps of great deeper. It is meant to help you to encourage Catholic leaders before you. You join the father your pilgrims to pray, reflect, and discern in the and patron of this event, St. John Paul II, who time after WYD. It is also meant to assist you as a priest and bishop in Communist-controlled in preparing your parish, diocese/eparchy, Kraków, accompanied youth and young adults and/or community, including the friends and on their journeys of faith. His example reminds families of pilgrims, to welcome back the us that this role – the role of a leader who international travelers. Within this section, there accompanies and journeys with others on the are some suggestions on how to connect road of discipleship – can be equally demanding international participants with stateside and and rewarding. Leaders have a unique digital pilgrims who celebrated the events of opportunity to invite World Youth Day WYD in the United States. Most importantly, pilgrims to follow Christ and to nurture that there are some ideas on helping your pilgrims encounter so that they can take on the task of take concrete and attainable action steps transforming the world.

The Pilgrims

Your role as an international WYD organizer is direction. The leader has a responsibility to see not as an activities coordinator or a travel agent. each pilgrim as they are, with their own story Rather, you have been called to be a pilgrim and with their own expectations. The leader leader, accompanying young people on a looks with compassion and mercy on the journey towards an encounter with Christ. people God has placed before him or her.

The hectic or mundane tasks of preparing Take time to get to know your pilgrims. Pray youth and/or young adults for international for each one, by name, every day. Listen travel can sometimes cloud the vision of what a attentively to their stories. Take an active pilgrimage leader has been called to do. It is interest in their lives and situations. As a critical, then, for you, as a WYD leader, to pilgrim leader, you represent a supportive prayerfully reflect on what you are undertaking, pastoral presence in the lives of your pilgrims. and for the pilgrims you will be with. Putting together a pilgrimage can be all Who are the young people who are going to consuming, but one of the most important WYD in Panamá? They are sons and daughters responsibilities for the leader is to tend to the of God. Each one has his or her own story. spiritual growth of the pilgrims entrusted to They come with struggles and pain, as well as them. Without neglecting other essential joys and anticipation. Some have great logistical tasks, the leader must seek to remain expectations and excitement about WYD, while focused on Jesus and his love for the pilgrims. others may be uncertain or skeptical about the trip. Some are seeking direction; others for The Pilgrim’s Community affirmation of a path they are already on. Still others are indifferent, going to WYD because The millions of pilgrims who travel to the of external motives (i.e. friendship, overseas international World Youth Day are not isolated travel opportunities, or adventure) or due to the individuals; they each have a family, parish, expectations of others (i.e. parents). But they campus, diocese/eparchy, movement, and/or are all heading to Panamá, looking to the local community that forms them, supports pilgrimage leader, to you, for help and them, and sends them forth. 6

Regarding each pilgrim, ask yourself: experiences back home form a big part of the media coverage of the Olympic games. There ● Where is he/she coming from? are stories of high school coaches who inspired ● What are the blessings and burdens of the athletes to do their best, of sweethearts back community from which he/she comes? home who are watching every day, or parents who sacrificed countless things to make an The question asked of WYD pilgrims is often: Olympic moment possible for their child. In “Where are they [the pilgrims] going?” The every city or village who sent an Olympian to stories so often told about a pilgrimage are the compete, the community is often glued to the stories of the pilgrim's journey to someplace. television, radio, or news reports, waiting to But any good storyteller (and any good hear the name of their hometown hero. pilgrimage guide) will remind others, “That is not the full story.” Every story starts from some It is impossible to understand the full story of place, and that place matters. the pilgrim without knowing his or her context. When pilgrims gather for World Youth Day, In literature and film, Homer’s Odyssey, they often carry the flags of their countries— Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Frank the communities from which they came. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Pilgrims come from a community, and journey as Wonderland, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, a community, to encounter the Lord, so that and C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series are all examples of they can return transformed to the community a journey. But notice that the stories are not from which they came and transform that over until the heroes return home (or arrive at a community. At the same time, there exists a new home) to their community. In other words, certain fluidity in communities today, which is what can tend to be overlooked is the hero’s not always welcoming or nurturing. Even in community. In the same way, a pilgrim does not such cases, when pilgrims return and start exist in isolation but in relationships rooted in sharing their stories, fluid communities can the community from which he or she comes. become more solidified. Our modern culture often focuses only on the individual; however, Think also about the Olympics. The stories of in the Judeo-Christian tradition there is also the the athletes and their relationships and sense of each individual being a part of a greater community, of a people. 7

The Jewish people held three annual one body we have many parts, and all the parts pilgrimages or feasts: “Three times a year, then, do not have the same function, so we, though all your males shall appear before the LORD, many, are one body in Christ, and individually your God, in the place which he will choose: at parts of one another” (Rom 12:4-5). Thus, the the feast of Unleavened Bread, at the feast of Christian pilgrimage (like the World Youth Day Weeks, and at the feast of Booths.” (Dt 16:16). journey) is an expression of being the Church. Although the men alone were instructed to go Pilgrims go on this pilgrimage not only for up to the place the Lord commanded, the themselves. The Christian pilgrimage is to pilgrimage was undertaken for the entire heaven to join the communion of saints united community – women and children included. with the Triune God.

Certainly, practical considerations played a role. In the Church, pilgrimage and community are The Jews in Galilee would have a much harder inseparable. Not only is the community the time going to the feast or pilgrimage than those starting point on the pilgrim’s journey, but it in Judea. It would be difficult to leave behind serves as a reason to go. Those who cannot go homes and cattle, both unprotected and are drawn into it because they are part of the unwatched. Because of the strong emphasis on community of the Church. They are invited communal identity of the Jewish people, when into a solidarity that is meaningful—because the the men left on pilgrimage, everyone was Church gathers in Panama, they do too. The deeply aware that it was for everyone. Every stateside gatherings, viewing parties, parish Jew participated in the feast through the men prayer services, school events, digital who went up to Jerusalem. pilgrimages, etc. are ways that Catholics in the United States can experience WYD without The Catholic Church, too, has a communal getting on a plane. The journey is for all. identity as a community of missionary disciples; Understanding the young people on this a pilgrim people. “Through Baptism, we are journey – and the community from which they freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we come (and to where they will be going next) – is become members of Christ, are incorporated key to better appreciating the people that God into the Church and made sharers in her has put into your care. mission” (CCC 1213). St. Paul says: “For as in

Encounter, Accompany, Send: The Role of the World Youth Day Pilgrimage Leader

Leading a group of people on an international The invitation from Jesus Christ comes in many trip can be daunting. With all the logistics to ways. The work of an international leader is worry about and the responsibility of spiritually invaluable for assisting that invitation. accompanying a cohort of disciples, WYD can fill you with anxiety. Yet, thousands of people Pilgrimage leaders serve WYD pilgrims in a continually step forward and take on the mantle unique and privileged way, by helping open the of a pilgrimage leader, in communion with the door to Jesus Christ through the experience. bishops and the Holy Father. God has called many ministry leaders to the important service of being co-workers in his Co-Workers in the Lord’s Vineyard vineyard. The group leader, then, is engaged in the evangelizing work of the Church through “The Lord does not keep his distance, but the grace of the Holy Spirit who sends the is near and real. He is in our midst and he baptized on mission to encounter, accompany, takes care of us…” 1 and send others. Facilitating a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and his Church, and sending Pope Francis preached these words at the missionary disciples forth into the world, is the Shrine of Czestochowa at WYD 2016. He goal of any Catholic pastoral leader. reminded the young people that Jesus Christ comes to encounter us in real and personal ENCOUNTER ways. He accompanies us, and sends us on There are a variety of encounters that take place mission to do the same in the lives of others. at World Youth Day: with Jesus, the Church, Jesus Christ is in our midst, encountering, other pilgrims, and others along the way. Each accompanying, and sending. But the choice to of these encounters is an opportunity to engage in the encounter, to be accompanied, and experience Christ. The international pilgrimage to be sent is ours. It is never forced; it is a free leader helps to make those encounters possible, choice in response to an invitation from Christ. memorable, and lasting.

1 Pope Francis, Homily for Mass on the Occasion of XXXI World Youth Day, Kraków, July 28, 2016, 5. 9

An Encounter with Jesus Christ continuous renewal of his or her friendship Pope Francis invites “all Christians, with Jesus. Pope Francis, in his 2015 World everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed Youth Day Message, gave a few ways for personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least pilgrims to renew this friendship every day: an openness to letting him encounter them.”2 through participation in the Sacraments, What does it mean to have a personal particularly Eucharist and Reconciliation, encounter with Jesus Christ? It means reading Sacred Scripture, personal prayer, and experiencing him in the Sacraments, in the serving those in need, particularly the poor.5 Scriptures, in prayer, in others, and in service to Ministry leaders are encouraged to encounter others. This encounter is at the core of who we Christ on a constant basis. In this way, they will are as Christians. As Pope Benedict XVI said: be credible witnesses when they invite their “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical pilgrims to do the same. choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon An Encounter with the Church and a decisive direction.”3 The encounter with Jesus Christ is always in and through his Church. The Church is spread WYD is an opportunity offered by the Church throughout the world and a WYD leader will to all young people to encounter Christ. Many need to be prepared for this encounter with the people talk about their experience of WYD as Church Universal and her chief shepherd, the “life-changing.” They experience Christ and his Holy Father. Church in a unique and special way. Leaders need to recognize this opportunity. As Pope The Pope, who is Vicar of Christ, “is the Francis notes, the encounter is really the perpetual and visible source and foundation of developing of a “friendship” with Jesus.4 The the unity both of the bishops and of the whole pilgrimage leader can assist the young people in company of the faithful.”6 WYD is a public developing their friendship with Jesus Christ; opportunity for young people to witness the this is made possible by the leader’s own unity of the Church in the midst of its diversity.

2 Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, no. 3. 5 Pope Francis, Message for the 30th World Youth Day, 3. 3 Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 1; cited by Pope 6 Lumen Gentium, 32, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 882. Francis in EG, no. 7. 4 See Evangelii Gaudium, no. 266. 10

When millions of young people from around An Encounter with Others the world gather with the Holy Father in silent The time of pilgrimage is also a time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, or encounter with others along the way. Some of listen attentively to a bishop during daily the people (including friends, families, and catechesis, or experience a special grace during active members of the Church community) will the Sacrament of Reconciliation at World be open to encounter with the leader and with Youth Day, it can be a truly transformative pilgrims, while others (including distant friends experience for both pilgrims and leaders. and acquaintances, vendors and secular Leaders need to take time to prepare pilgrims partners, news media, and the general public) and themselves for these encounters during the may be indifferent at best or hostile at worst. WYD pilgrimage. The important thing for a leader is to be constantly welcoming, loving, and hospitable – An Encounter with Fellow Pilgrims truly witnessing “the joy of the Gospel.” A World Youth Day leader should provide Pilgrim leaders can assist the young people to plenty of opportunities to prepare pilgrims be aware of their encounters with others and prior to leaving for Latin America or wherever supporting them through challenging the journey takes them. Retreats, prayer interactions. Encounters – with Christ, the services, catechesis and formation, charitable Church, other pilgrims, and the many others activities and social justice initiatives, along way – will often lead to new friendships. fundraisers, and social events are wonderful On a practical level, social media, email, and opportunities for group bonding, learning, and reunions provide a means to continue reflection. Some of these elements could be relationships. On a deeper level, those part of pre-event communications. The pilgrim encounters and a more mature understanding leader should also have a team of youth or of encountering Christ and the Church help to young adults who are assisting him or her. support the growth of a person’s faith. Forming strong relationships in advance of the trip will not only benefit the pilgrims, but also ACCOMPANIMENT the overall experience of all involved. Pope Francis says: “The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches

11 us to remove our sandals before the sacred capable of growth, but often we need others to ground of the other. The pace of this show us what we should work on. The pilgrim accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, leader offers acceptance of another person in a reflecting our closeness and our compassionate way that may sometimes challenge that person gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages to a deeper relationship and alignment with growth in the Christian life.”7 Christ. Pope Francis warns that we cannot truly know the “person’s situation” before God from A pilgrimage leader is not simply an organizer, “without.”10 God alone knows the person’s but one who spiritually accompanies a heart. But a leader does know some things community. Furthermore, the leader is not about choices and behaviors. Pope Francis says accompanying pilgrims by him or herself. Jesus that the “The Gospel tells us to correct others Christ, the pope, the bishops, fellow pilgrims, and to help them grow on the basis of a and others encountered along the way are also recognition of the objective evil of their actions accompanying them. Added to this, the leader (cf. Mt 18:15), but without making judgments is also on the journey; leaders themselves are about their responsibility and culpability (cf. Mt pilgrims. As Pope Francis said, “Although it 7:1; Lk 6:37).”11 sounds obvious, spiritual accompaniment must lead others ever closer to God, in whom we The international pilgrimage leader can keep attain true freedom.”8 Pope Francis in his this very careful balance through recognition of apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, teaches his or her own sinfulness and the need for that good spiritual accompaniment includes mercy. Everyone needs God’s love and mercy; what might be called growth-inducing a profound awareness of this fact should be an acceptance and evangelizing service.9 important aspect of a pilgrimage.

Acceptance and Challenge Everyone who attends the international WYD None of us is fully mature in our relationship will come with their own struggles, sinfulness, with Jesus Christ and our neighbor. We are all and personal frustrations. Sometimes these may

7 Evangelii Gaudium, 169. 10 Evangelii Gaudium, 172. 8 Evangelii Gaudium, 170. 11 Ibid. 9 Cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 171-173. 12 be shared, and sometimes not. Good pastoral earlier, they are both followers of Christ leaders recognize these moments and (disciples) and sent by him (missionaries). accompany their pilgrims through their presence, invitation, and encouragement. The people participating in WYD have chosen to be there. Therefore, the opportunity is ripe Evangelizing Service for these young men and women to deepen When a pilgrim experiences mercy and healing their commitment to be disciples of Christ in Christ, he or she may desire to evangelize Jesus, making the choice to do so in response and serve. As the Holy Father said, “Our to their encounter with the Lord and others personal experience of being accompanied and who are witnessing Christ to them. assisted, and of openness to those who accompany us, will teach us to be patient and Effective ministry leaders can witness to this compassionate with others, and to find the discipleship in all that is said and done on the right way to gain their trust, their openness and pilgrimage – from email communications and their readiness to grow.”12 World Youth Day announcements prior to and during the event provides youth and young adults a chance to to answering the same question for the fiftieth step into servant leadership. time. The experience of pilgrimage and the encounters involved will also help the leader From its start, WYD has offered participants an grow as a disciple. opportunity to be evangelized and to evangelize. Leaders and pilgrims embark on the SENDING journey with the hope that they will have a Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus extends an deeper encounter with Jesus Christ and others. invitation to us: “We can say that World Youth Often, they experience personal transformation, Day begins today and continues tomorrow, in your reconciliation, and renewed life in Christ. This homes, since that is where Jesus wants to meet cannot be kept to oneself. you from now on. The Lord doesn’t want to remain in this beautiful city, or in cherished The leader and pilgrims accompanying one memories alone. He wants to enter your homes, another are “missionary disciples”; as noted to dwell in your daily lives: in your studies, your

12 Evangelii Gaudium, 172. 13 first years of work, your friendships and that open up new horizons capable of affections, your hopes and dreams. How greatly spreading joy.”15 The theme of WYD 2019 is “I he desires that you bring all this to him in am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to prayer! How much he hopes that, in all the me according to your word.”16 Leaders can ‘contacts’ and ‘chats’ of each day, pride of place prepare pilgrims to be more sensitive to the be given to the golden thread of prayer! How voice of the Lord in their lives by encouraging much he wants his word to be able to speak to them to remain close to the Sacraments, you day after day, so that you can make his providing them resources for vocational Gospel your own, so that it can serve as a discernment, and creating communities from compass for you on the highways of life!”13 which they can draw strength and courage.

The role of the leader continues after the events The pilgrim journey is a lifelong one that might of WYD come to an end. All pilgrims are sent include additional WYDs, possibly even leading forth and called to live as missionary disciples. a pilgrimage in the future. WYD leaders have You assist, equip, and accompany your pilgrims been called by God for this service, often so that they might come to a deeper through the invitation of another. understanding of their experiences. In so doing, they can more fully live out the WYD The lifelong pilgrim lives the encounter with encounter with Jesus every day. Jesus Christ in his or her daily life. Gathering those stateside pilgrims along with the Continuing the Pilgrim Journey international pilgrims after WYD can help the At WYD, the Church puts its trust in the young people share and integrate their young. WYD pilgrims need to be trusted to experiences and, ultimately, build upon them. “leave a mark on history,” as Pope Francis said For example, many WYD pilgrims are also at the final gathering in Kraków.14 He discerning their vocation in life. The leader challenged young people to courageously “set assists in this discernment process by out on new and uncharted paths. To blaze trails witnessing to their own discernment process or

13 Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXXI 15 Ibid. World Youth Day, Kraków, July 31, 2016, 10. 16 Lk 1:38. 14 Pope Francis, Prayer Vigil with the Young People, XXXI World Youth Day, July 30, 2016. 14 current vocation and encouraging pilgrims to pilgrims that Christ sends forth those who gather, consider God’s calls. This may take place in equipping them with a mission and a purpose. conversations during the journey but also during the weeks or months following WYD. Like the dismissal at every Mass, pilgrims need to “go, glorifying the Lord” by their lives.19 As Living the encounter with Jesus Christ also Pope Francis confidently told millions of means being of service. Pope Francis teaches pilgrims as they prepared to leave Kraków in that “evangelizing means bearing personal 2016, “Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ to him (the witness to the love of God, it is overcoming Lord) with all your heart, to respond generously our selfishness, it is serving by bending down to and to follow him! Don’t let your soul grow wash the feet of our brethren, as Jesus did.”17 numb, but aim for the goal of a beautiful love Most young people want to be of service to which also demands sacrifice.”20 This is the life others, but often do not know how. of the disciple, the one who is sent. When Jesus sent out the seventy-two, he had them take little The pilgrim leader can assist youth and young on the journey, beyond trust in him (cf. Lk adults in reflecting on how they can be of 10:1-12). They returned to him joyfully telling service to the Church and to those in need in stories of all that was done in his name (cf Lk the world. The leader can provide opportunities 10:17-20). Jesus Christ continues to do the to serve the poor or point to opportunities in same today. The pilgrims are sent on mission – the local area. The leader can witness to the fact they are missionary disciples. that “to love means to serve and service increases love.”18 Living as Missionary Disciples When he spoke to the crowd at the end Sending Forth of World Youth Day in Kraków, Pope Francis The actual WYD gathering will quickly come to said, “The joy that you have freely received an end. Therefore, the leader needs to remind from God, freely give away (cf. Mt 10:8): so many people are waiting for it!.”21 Just as the

17 Homily for the Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXVIII 19 Roman Missal, Dismissal. World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 3. 20 Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXXI 18 Pope Benedict XVI, “Meeting with Volunteers of the XXVI World Youth Day, Kraków, July 31, 2016, 7. World Youth Day, August 21, 2011. 21 Ibid. 15 leader and the pilgrims have encountered Jesus would simply be passive recipients. The Christ, so they have a mission to assist others in new evangelization calls for personal having such an encounter. St. John Paul II, the involvement on the part of each of the father and the key patron saint of the World baptized. Every Christian is challenged, Youth Day experience, explained this dynamic here and now, to be actively engaged in very well: “Our personal encounter with Christ evangelization; indeed, anyone who has bathes life in new light, sets us on the right truly experienced God’s saving love does path, and sends us out to be his witnesses.”22 not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every The response to the personal encounter as a Christian is a missionary to the extent witness sent by Jesus Christ into the world is that he or she has encountered the love called living as a missionary disciple. This term of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say captures a reality which is central to the work of that we are “disciples” and the New Evangelization as the Church moves “missionaries”, but rather that we are more fully from maintenance to mission.23 Pope always “missionary disciples.”24 Francis uses the term very often in his preaching and catechesis and explains it clearly Bringing Christ to others (as a missionary in his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. disciple) compels one to know and live the faith. Being catechized is about knowing the faith In virtue of their baptism, all the members and witnessing to the faith. Formation in the faith of the People of God have become is meant to be ongoing. Additionally, one does missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). All the not grow in faith alone; rather, it is the work of baptized, whatever their position in the Christ within us and in a community. Leaders Church or their level of instruction in the are called to be regularly engaged in these faith, are agents of evangelization, and it efforts (ongoing formation, community would be insufficient to envisage a plan of activities) if they are to model them for evangelization to be carried out by pilgrims. The parish is the regular place where professionals while the rest of the faithful leaders and pilgrims are nurtured by Christ

22 St. John Paull II, Message of the Holy Father on the 23 See XII Ordinary Synod of Bishops (2012), Proposition 22. Occasion of the XVII World Youth Day, July 25, 2001. 24 Evangelii Gaudium, no. 120. Emphasis added. 16 through the community of faith. The parish is Conclusion: Be Not Afraid the source for the sacraments, faith formation, Christ continually reminds us: “Do not be and service to the poor and suffering, yet afraid...” (Mt 28:10). The WYD experience, leaders and pilgrims cannot remain within the with its massive size and participation of lay comfort of the parish. All Christians need to leaders, priests, deacons, and religious, bishops, move outward and bring others to encounter and the Holy Father himself, reminds us that Christ.25 Leaders and pilgrims are encouraged we are not alone on this journey as leaders. to look beyond parish boundaries and buildings Pilgrimage leaders should know that they are to find places where the call to missionary united with leaders around the world and that discipleship can be lived out. those leaders can be a wealth of information and advice. As Pope Francis told the crowd in Missionary disciples are sent to not only preach, Rio de Janeiro as they were about to embark on but to heal (see Lk 9:2,10:9). The world needs so a mission of service, and which can be applied much healing. All the baptized can and must be to the work of the pilgrimage leader today: bearers of love, which is the only thing that can heal the soul. Leaders may be able, by the help Jesus did not say: “one of you go”, but “all of the Holy Spirit, to identify and help heal the of you go”: we are sent together…be aware wounds that they see in the young people in of the companionship of the whole Church their care. The pilgrims who experience this and also the communion of the saints on healing ministry from their leaders may, in turn, this mission. When we face challenges help to heal those around them in the future. together, then we are strong, we discover resources we did not know we had.26

25 See Evangelii Gaudium, no. 121. 26 Homily for Closing Mass on the Occasion of the XXVIII World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013, 2. 17

Foundations: Pilgrimage and World Youth Day

In Kraków in the 1940s, a young Karol Wojtyła gathering of young people. It would take place (who was studying in the underground on Palm Sunday in 1984 and be one of the last seminary run by the Archbishop of Kraków) celebrations of the jubilee. The event was was inspired and mentored by Jan Tyranowski, positive, and the following Palm Sunday was a local tailor and ministry leader at the parish. then used to mark the United Nations’ Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church in Debnicki, International Year of Youth. The pope run by the Salesians of Don Bosco, was a fitting instituted World Youth Day in December 1985. setting for the seminarian’s formation. After Ever since, the Catholic Church around the ordination, and despite Communist world has celebrated young people in local and proscriptions against religious gatherings, global gatherings. Father Wojtyła would go on regular outings with young people that included prayer, Those who lead pilgrimages to World Youth catechesis, and acts of service. He also held in- Day today follow in the footsteps of Karol home Masses, saint-day social events, and went Wojtyła – and take from him the mantle to on skiing and kayaking excursions. In fact, it teach, inspire, and accompany another was during one of these outings in 1958 that generation of missionary disciples. Father Wojtyła was summoned to Warsaw to accept his appointment as the Auxiliary Bishop In the role of pilgrimage leader, there are of Kraków. After the formalities in the capital several important principles to pass on to the city were over, he returned to the young people pilgrims on their journey to Panamá for WYD: and their canoes. 1. Remember that World Youth Day is a These moments undoubtedly shaped the future pilgrimage (not a vacation). saint and likely influenced his desire to stay in 2. Encounter the Universal Church at contact with youth and young adults after World Youth Day. becoming pope in 1978. During the Jubilee 3. Celebrate World Youth Day in Year of Redemption (1983), commemorating community and communion. 1,950 years since the death and resurrection of 4. Be proud of your heritage of mercy as a Christ, the Holy Father called for a special pilgrim from the United States. 18

5. Prepare spiritually for your journey. a pilgrimage, then, might be seen as old, 6. Be open to the Holy Spirit, archaic, even outdate. A modern pilgrimage wherever he may be leading you. story is the 2010 film, The Way, about one 7. Keep the fire burning… the end of man’s journey on the Camino de Santiago. In World Youth Day is only the beginning. this movie, the main character goes to Spain to identify the body of his son, who died making These seven points provide an outline of the the pilgrimage. Initially skeptical of such a key aspects of the World Youth Day journey. spiritual exercise, the father decides to continue the journey to honor his son. He finds his own faith illuminated along the path and is 1. Remember that World Youth Day is transformed in the company of new friends. a pilgrimage (not a vacation). In Europe and the Middle East, pilgrimages It is vital that participants understand that have a very long tradition and are not limited to World Youth Day is a pilgrimage, not a Christians (as the Jewish people and Muslims vacation or field trip. Pilgrimages are joyful and also have strong connections to the pilgrim challenging journeys. Your participants have experience). People go to the Holy Land to visit probably been on several trips throughout their the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the lives and it can be tempting to approach WYD Church on Mount Tabor in Galilee, and the as one among many. The pilgrim journey is – or Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, should be – so much more. among many other important sites. Pilgrims go to Italy to pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. On a vacation, the goal is rest. Paul or to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. On an excursion, the goal is adventure. Pilgrims travel to France to visit the Grotto at On a pilgrimage, the goal is conversion. Lourdes, to Portugal to visit the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima, and to Panamá to pray People in the United States are often with Our Lady of La Antigua. introduced to pilgrimages in high school literature class when they read Geoffrey In the U.S., it may seem as if there are not as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The idea of going on many pilgrimage sites since it is such a young country and its religious history is still being 19 written. Therefore, many Catholics in the U.S. Simon Peter asks to remain at the top. The have never gone on pilgrimage. WYD presents Gospel tells us through that: “But he did not Catholic youth and young adults from the U.S. know what he was saying” (Lk 9:33). with a chance that few may ever experience. Connecting this story to WYD, it would be foolish to think that the goal is simply the A pilgrimage is not an escape from everyday life events in Panamá. Rather, the entire process is like a vacation or excursion might be. While part of the pilgrimage. The goal of WYD is for there are certainly exciting and enjoyable young people to encounter the universal moments to WYD, the primary purpose of a Church; this should be occurring through every pilgrimage is to grow closer to God. World stage of the journey. The key for WYD leaders, Youth Day involves a journey to a holy place, then, is to help pilgrims see themselves as trusting that God is leading him or her. With pilgrims, to remind them of this basic such an opening, the Lord is able to draw the understanding of a pilgrimage, and to open pilgrim into a deeper and more intimate their minds and hearts to the real reasons for relationship with him. The journey is meant to undertaking such a journey. effect a transformation. 2. Encounter the Universal Church at In the case of WYD, Panama City (or any World Youth Day. World Youth Day host city for that matter) may be the destination on an airline boarding WYD is a pilgrimage that calls every single pass, but the preparation and the return home pilgrim to immerse themselves in Catholic faith are all part of the pilgrim journey. Consider the and life. The protagonist of WYD is the Church biblical passage of the Transfiguration (Lk 9:28- who is ever young, gathered with the Holy Father. 36): Jesus took Peter, James, and John up It is an experience of the communion of saints, Mount Tabor – the journey included hiking up encompassing both Heaven and earth. the mountain, experiencing a vision at the The Catholic Church includes over 1.229 billion summit, and the journey down the mountain. people around the globe.27 This is not As Saint Luke reveals to us, after the vision, something anyone can fully grasp or visualize,

27 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, 2017, http://cara.georgetown.edu/

20 and people’s experience of the Church is often someone new, but to learn from them and walk limited to their local parish, campus, or alongside them. diocese/eparchy. They may not have ever thought about the fact that fellow Catholics, Perhaps one of the most celebrated and visible who attend the same Mass, speak hundreds of aspects of WYD is the chance for young people languages and come from every background to encounter the pope. The affection for the and culture. The international nature of WYD pontiff among pilgrims should be fostered so allows pilgrims to experience this universality in that it is not limited to his international a unique way. At WYD, participants experience “celebrity” status. Pilgrims should be helped to how the Mass, devotions, and service unite understand that the Holy Father is the vicar of people from every corner of the globe. Christ on earth. He is the successor of Peter; the visible sign of the unity of the Church. The importance of understanding that the community of Christ is a worldwide fellowship, When St. John Paul II inaugurated WYD, he encompassing all cultures and ways of life, wanted to spend time with and encounter cannot be under-estimated. One of the young people himself. In John Paul II’s outcomes is a better appreciation and memoir, Crossing the Threshold of Hope (1994), he acceptance of cultural expression through wrote: “Even though he is getting older, the liturgy, prayer, and spirituality – so that these young people urge the Pope to be young. They experiences will resonate within and impact the do not permit him to forget his experience, his pilgrim’s own community of faith. discovery of youth, and its great importance for the life of every man.”28 World Youth Day is as Encourage your pilgrims to meet other pilgrims much a blessing to the pope as to the young from around the world – and to listen, smile, men and women who make the journey. serve, and humbly share their experiences and During the WYD events, the pope speaks to love of the faith. Help them to understand the pilgrims about how the Gospel applies to them. meaning of encounter – to not only meet He reflects on the paschal mystery during the

28 Pope John Paul II, Crossing the Threshold of Hope. Ed. Vittorio Messori. Trans. Jenny McPhee and Martha McPhee. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1994), 125.

Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), Candlelight Vigil, faith is breathtaking and exciting. Throughout and Closing Mass. Along with the pope, many the week at WYD, as pilgrims walk about the bishops from throughout the world are also streets of the host city, the contagious buzz of present at WYD, shepherding their dioceses or youth and young adults meeting each other, eparchies. This event is a wonderful singing songs, praying, and experiencing new opportunity for the bishops to encounter the things is quite palpable. WYD is truly a young Church at catechetical sessions, national celebration, and can be felt as such by not only gatherings, and just walking along the streets. the pilgrims, but by local and international Participating bishops look forward to meeting observers, the media, and bystanders. the young people and spending time with them. Encourage your pilgrims to seek out the Massive events like WYD can sometimes seem bishops, to listen to their words and catechesis, like just a party, or, as some have put it, to thank them for their ministry, to engage “Catholic Woodstock.” This misconception them in conversation, and to pray alongside overlooks what is really going on: WYD is a them on the journey. WYD stands out as an celebration of faith, of being in communion opportunity for young people to meet the with fellow believers, of seeking the Lord shepherds who “smell like the sheep” as they together. This expresses itself in a joyful energy walk along the pilgrim road. that is hard to contain and can be misinterpreted. The pilgrimage leader, then, Help your pilgrims understand and appreciate must help to direct this energy towards true the universal dimension to the trip. It can give celebration, so that pilgrims do not reduce new meaning to the phrase they repeat each WYD to simple fun. Spiritual preparation and Sunday: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and accompaniment are critical so that the joyful apostolic Church…” aspects of WYD are contextualized as a foretaste of heaven and path towards truth. 3. Celebrate World Youth Day in community and communion. Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a patron of young adults, once remarked: “True happiness, oh Being with millions of young people who love young people, does not consist in the pleasures Jesus and are enthusiastic about their Catholic of the world, or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience which we only have if we are 22 pure of heart and mind.”29 In a note to his example of the saints, especially those sister, Frassati commented, “You ask me if I connected to Panamá and to young people. am happy. How could I not be? As long as faith Meeting those holy men and women, or visiting gives me strength, I am happy. A Catholic their sacred sites, can be done throughout the could not be other than happy... The goal for preparation process in the U.S. and at WYD which we were created involves a path which itself. The saints give pilgrims a recipe for has its thorns, but it is not a sad path. It is joy, responding to the demands of holiness and even when it involves pain.”30 Happiness at Christ’s invitation to perfection. The spiritual WYD, then, is about naming and finding joy in writer Thomas Merton identified a path to all the graces that are being given to the “simple sainthood” – to abandon ourselves, to pilgrims. Discovering these graces is best done be reconciled, and to be loving. Becoming in the company of good companions. One of saints does not require performing miracles in the important aspects of WYD is that pilgrims this life or writing volumes of theological text; journey in groups. When the journey gets it does require living out the virtues of faith, difficult, having companions makes the hope, and charity, and allowing ourselves to be challenges more bearable. In times of joy, open to God’s grace in our lives. Encourage companions share in each other’s happiness pilgrims to look deeper at their own lives and and augment it. Good companions also hold consider how they are called to be saints. each other accountable and remind each other to seek God. Encourage Christian WYD allows pilgrims a chance to walk with a companionship and camaraderie throughout mentor. Pilgrims need someone to talk to, to the preparation for WYD, and remind pilgrims trust, to follow, and to help them understand to keep their circles open to new people. how God is working in their lives. The WYD leader cannot be the only one filling this role; it WYD offers young men and women an is important to have a great team to help. opportunity to connect to the great saints of the past. Encourage pilgrims to follow the

29 Frassati, Pier Giorgio, “Letter to Members of the Catholic 30 Frassati, Pier Giorgio, “Letter to Luciana Frassati (February Youth of Pollone (July 29, 1923),” qtd. in Blessed Pier Giorgio 14, 1925),” qtd. in “Message of the Holy Father on the Frassati: An Ordinary Christian by Maria Di Lorenzo. Trans. Occasion of the Twenty-Seventh World Youth Day” by Pope Robert Ventresca (Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2004), 123. Benedict XVI. (Vatican City: Liberia Editice Vaticana, 2012), 6.

4. Be proud of your heritage of mercy in the United States; Ven. Fr. Michael as a pilgrim from the United States. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus; and Ven. Fr. Augustus Tolton, a When participating in WYD, pilgrims will not former slave who became the first recognized only be representing their parish, campus, black Catholic priest in the United States. diocese/eparchy, or ecclesial movement; they will also be representing their country. There is Another ideal for the United States is unity a balance to be struck between national pride amidst diversity. A nation of immigrants from and international openness. On one extreme, the very beginning, the United States has had to some U.S. pilgrims can exhibit an excessive wrestle with how to be one country while being pride that risks alienating those from other made up of people from a plurality of nations. On the other extreme, some may try to backgrounds and cultures. While the history of avoid identifying as American altogether. Both intercultural and interracial relationships in the extremes should be avoided and this can be U.S. is imperfect and the sins of racism and discussed in advance of the pilgrimage. prejudice still exist, the goal of peaceful unity is written into the nation’s foundational It is key for pilgrims from the United States documents and the national motto “E pluribus to understand is that theirs is a rich unum,” that is “out of many, one”. This desire heritage that is worth identifying with, for national unity and peace fueled the work of celebrating, and humbly sharing at WYD. the suffragette Susan B. Anthony and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. These core Explorers, pioneers, revolutionaries, and principles were used for civil and workers’ trailblazers reside at the beginning of the rights as championed by Rosa Parks, the Selma American story and sustain it today. In the marchers and freedom riders of the 1960s, Rev. Church, we celebrate the pioneers of faith in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cesar Chavez. North America like St. Kateri Tekakwitha, an Algonquin-Mohawk woman who boldly Many hope that the United States can be a land converted to Roman Catholicism despite tribal of mercy, compassion, and refuge for the objections and persecution; St. John Neumann, oppressed. Engraved on the pedestal of the C.Ss.R., founder of the Catholic school system Statue of Liberty is a gentle invitation to those who emigrate to the U.S.: “Give me your tired, 24 your poor, your huddled masses yearning to As Abraham Lincoln said when he shared his breathe free.”31 The statue represents the own vision of reconciliation and mercy in a “Mother of Exiles” who mercifully accepts “the time of war and division: homeless” and the “tempest-tost.” Many of the men and women who have With malice towards none, with charity modeled this ideal of mercy, compassion, and for all, with firmness in the right as God refuge have been prominent U.S. Catholics: St. gives us to see the right, let us strive on Rose Philippine Duchesne, R.S.C.J., who came to finish the work we are in, to bind up the to America from France to minister to Native nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall Americans; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, S.C., who have borne the battle and for his widow started the first Catholic school and founded and his orphan, to do all which may the first American religious community; St. achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. and St. Marianne among ourselves and with all nations. Cope, O.S.F., who ministered to the lepers on Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands; St. Frances There are many great reasons to claim a Xavier Cabrini, M.S.C., who emigrated to the national identity at World Youth Day. U.S. to care for the poor Italian immigrants and Pilgrimage leaders should help pilgrims orphans; St. Katharine Drexel, S.B.S., who understand the heritage of mercy they have ministered to Native Americans and African received and enable them to share it. Americans in her native Philadelphia; and the Understanding the history and struggles in the Servants of God, the La Florida martyrs; United States over the years can help give Monsignor Edward Flanagan, founder of Boys pilgrims a sense of perspective. Being an Town, and Dorothy Day, Obl.S.B., founder of American Catholic at WYD means humbly the Catholic Worker Movement. These sharing the highest ideals of the United States examples are but a few that provide a blueprint (pioneering, unity, and mercy), while learning for mercy that is central to our Catholic faith from others’ traditions and cultures – and and embedded in the history of our nation. praying for an end to division, racism, hatred, and violence in the pilgrims’ homeland.

31 Emma Lazarus 25

5. Prepare spiritually for your journey. This small country is home to almost 4 million people, and 85% are Catholic. Santuario WYD is an event like none other. There are so Nacional Del Corazón De Mariá (The National many components: visiting another country Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) is in with its unique history, culture, and faith story; Panama City. While Panama does not have the encountering people from around the world; most well-known Catholic traditions, it does daily catechesis and prayer experiences; have a particular history – and it is important to continually walking and traveling to various prepare to encounter that cultural experience. activities, programs, and locations around the The spiritual preparation for WYD should also host city; listening to inspiring words from the include equipping pilgrims to engage in the bishops and the Holy Father; the jubilant daily catechesis with an open mind and heart. Closing Mass, during which the pilgrims are Pilgrims should know that the catechetical sent out on mission. sessions are opportunities to learn from great teachers of the Catholic faith from around the For pilgrims to fully experience these moments world and dialogue with them. Encourage and recognize Jesus in their midst, they must be pilgrims to consider questions they may have spiritually prepared. Pastoral leaders must help about various topics. Help your pilgrims see their pilgrims not only with fundraising, safety themselves as “apprentices” in the Catholic tips, and travel itineraries, but more importantly tradition, as the bishops and catechists of WYD with faith formation and spiritual development. nurture their faith and support them as missionary disciples. Leaders can assist the One of the first spiritual dimensions to reflect bishops by helping to unpack the lessons of on with pilgrims is the sacredness of the World Youth Day for their particular group, physical destination. It is important to stress especially if anything is unclear. how important the Catholic faith is to the people of Panamá, the Caribbean and Central Another powerful moment of WYD that ought America, and Latin America in general, and to be prepared for is the Friday evening Via how integrated it is into their history, culture, Crucis (“Way of the Cross”) led by the Holy art, and music. Spend some time talking about Father. At every WYD, the Stations of the the holy sites that pilgrims will visit. Cross are brought to life in a way particular by the host country. For instance, in 2011 in 26

Madrid, carved scenes used in processions for travelers. Walking also gives pilgrims time to Spanish feast days served as the images on the think, to pray, to sing, and to converse with Way of the Cross, while in Kraków in 2016, others along the road. Leaders can help pilgrims each station was represented in a dramatic and to treasure the walking, as well as the frequent visual art tableau. The Via Crucis is unique and times of waiting that occur on the journey. powerful because of this interaction between These moments of walking and waiting can be Jesus’ Passion and the host country’s history. It seen as opportunities for pilgrims to open is important to prepare pilgrims for this by themselves up to the graces of anticipation, praying and reflecting in advance on the sacrifice, and expectation. This is more likely to Stations of the Cross, particularly as they are happen if it is discussed in advance. experienced in Latin American cultures. This can help pilgrims appreciate and enter into the 6. Be open to the Holy Spirit, prayer. Pilgrimage leaders can point out that wherever he may be leading you. Jesus continues to suffer as his people endure crosses of injustice, violence, suffering, WYD is guaranteed to contain many prejudice, persecution, and death around the unexpected moments – from life-changing ones world. Pilgrimage leaders can connect the Via to minor surprises or frustrations. Pilgrimage Crucis to the pilgrims’ lives, when suffering and leaders should anticipate this and help pilgrims loss has entered their experience. adapt to circumstances with joy rather than annoyance. For example, sudden changes may Spiritual preparation is also important for the be made to the WYD itinerary without notice, mundane aspects of WYD. One of those or the process to pick up your meals may not elements is the constant walking: walking to be efficient. Some of the most memorable catechesis, meals, central events, churches and moments cited by past WYD pilgrims were sanctuaries, bathrooms, etc. Americans are surprises, that is, those things that were often unused to walking so much, and leaders unplanned and unscripted. can remind pilgrims to be in solidarity with those in impoverished areas who routinely have This awareness does not mean abandoning to walk to obtain work, food, drink, and shelter. careful or strategic planning; but it does mean Walking as a group reminds pilgrims that they that adaptability is a value to highlight in the are not alone, but in the company of fellow 27 preparation process. Some personalities take to present in those in need. God may put into the this more naturally than others. The surprises pilgrim’s path someone who is in great need, and sometimes downright “messiness” of the physically or spiritually. Encourage pilgrims to WYD experience can be used profitably as they be open to those moments. remind us that we are not in control; God is. Leaders must ask the Holy Spirit to bring Other unexpected moments at WYD include meaning and order amid the “chaos” while finding joy in something that is objectively taking care of the pilgrims as best they can. frustrating and/or negative. Certain aspects of At WYD 2013, the heavy rainstorms in Rio de the pilgrimage can be difficult (extended Janeiro that week caused concerns about periods of walking and waiting around, flooding and safety at the Final Vigil & Mass prolonged exposure to sun, heat, or rain, long site. This prompted the organizers to move the lines for the bathroom, etc.), and pilgrims can concluding events to Copacabana Beach. become aggravated. Pilgrim groups had to change their walking routes on Saturday and Sunday and deal with an If groups bond together to support one another inadequate number of toilet facilities at the new and if the pilgrimage leader can model patience site. But in the end, the event was incredibly and humor, those moments can become memorable in part because of its beautiful opportunities. Pilgrims can find grace and joy setting. The pilgrims whose leaders fostered a following unexpected detours or resting with culture of adaptation in that situation surely had one another on the sidewalk. a better time than those who grumbled about something they had no control over. Questions for pilgrims to reflect on, and for pilgrimage leaders to ask that could result from Unexpected moments can also include chance unanticipated moments on the trip include: encounters with other pilgrims, catechists, ● Where is God now leading me (or us)? priests, deacons, religious, residents of the host ● Why might God be pointing me (or us) in nation, and most importantly, Jesus Christ. In this new direction? preparation, consider walking pilgrims through ● What could God be calling me (or us) to a parable like the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29- do, to be, or to move towards by this 37) or the account of the Final Judgment (Mt sudden turn of events? 25:31-46) where Jesus makes it clear that he is 28

● Whom is God pointing me (or us) towards? people up to the possibility that their lives ● What needs to change within me (or us) to might be headed in a new direction. better accept and understand this situation? ● How can I (or we) respond and react in a Pilgrimage leaders are encouraged to help youth calm, patient, and mature manner? and young adults in their discernment. Consider collaborating with local priests and consecrated At any unexpected hitches, it is important to men and women, as well as marriage ministry remind pilgrims that the Holy Spirit can make leaders and other lay ecclesial ministers, to help use of such moments. It is at those moments pilgrims consider God’s call at WYD. During when the true goal of pilgrimage reveals itself – WYD events in Panamá, be aware of transformation and conversion of heart to opportunities for young people to connect with embrace God’s will. priests, consecrated religious, lay ecclesial ministers, and married couples who are there. Being open to the will of God and adaptable to wherever the Lord calls also means discovering After the return home, follow up with any new paths at the end of WYD. For a great pilgrims who had been discerning those number of pilgrims, WYD impacts their lives particular pathways. Be positive and significantly, perhaps even giving them a new encouraging to pilgrims who express interest direction. For the past several years, WYD has and excitement about any vocation, whether it played an increasing role in the discernment be to a state in life or a special form of service process of newly ordained priests, deacons, and or ministry. When it comes to discerning a call professed religious sisters and brothers. Others to the priesthood, the role of the youth ministry meet their future spouses at WYD. Still others and/or young adult ministry leader is one of the discern a call to become more active in their most important factors. Encourage and help local parish community or diocese/eparchy, to youth and young adult pilgrims walk through pursue a degree or continuing education in their next steps towards responding positively Church ministry, or to embark on missionary to God’s call for their lives. work. WYD can become an integral part of the vocational discernment process, opening young

7. Keep the fire burning… the end of and the salvation of the world. For World World Youth Day is only the beginning. Youth Day pilgrims, the intense experience of the international gathering should direct them WYD is but a stop on the journey to heaven to mission as well. that began at Baptism. For some pilgrims, the journey of faith has been a steady one; for Challenge pilgrims to see their journey to and others, it is newly awakened by WYD. from Panamá and Central America in light of the Transfiguration story. Encourage them to Consider again the story of the Transfiguration reflect on what their “exodus” might be, where from the Gospel of Luke (9:28-36). “And their “Jerusalem” could be, and what mission behold, two men were conversing with him, God could be calling them to embark upon Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and when they come down from the spoke of his exodus that he was going to “mountaintop” of Panamá. Help pilgrims know accomplish in Jerusalem” (9:30-31). Jesus is that they do not need to walk alone after WYD looking ahead. Likewise, World Youth Day and that the mission they receive may take a should help the pilgrims to look ahead, too. whole lifetime to complete. After they descend from the mountain, Jesus and the three disciples turn towards Jerusalem Before pilgrims embark on the trip to Panamá, (9:51). Jesus makes plans to send his followers coordinate ways for them to serve and work for ahead of him to prepare the way (9:52), justice in the community; this will help prepare empowering seventy-two of them to go “in them for lives of mercy and compassion. Help pairs” to every town and village the Lord was them to commit to praying regularly, to active intending to visit (10:1-12). “Go on your way,” listening, and to grounding their decisions and Jesus commissions them, adding a cautionary discernment in God and his Church. Give them note: “Behold, I am sending you like lambs tools to help them to witness to thir faith. among wolves” (10:3). Teach them the art of accompaniment, as defined by Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium: For Jesus and the disciples, the glorious moment of the Transfiguration impels them “…this ‘art of accompaniment’ which forward on mission: to the world, the Cross, teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of another (cf. Ex. 3:5). The 30

pace of this accompaniment must be steady will return). Taking a serious look at the and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and struggles that their peers and others in their our compassionate gaze which also heals, area face every day will help them understand liberates and encourages growth in the how to bring healing and love to those in pain. Christian life” (EG, no. 169). Pilgrims should be trained to see the needs of those in their families, their parish or “Only through such respectful and diocese/eparchy, their school or workplace, and compassionate listening can we enter on the the civic life of their communities. They can paths of true growth and awaken a yearning consider how those areas could be addressed or for the Christian ideal: the desire to respond responded to. Knowing the “mission field” fully to God’s love and to bring to fruition before World Youth Day gives the pilgrims a what he has sown in our lives.” frame of reference and knowledge of what (EG, no. 171) people at home may need from them.

Unpacking Evangelii Gaudium, the Holy Father’s When pilgrims have the needs of their apostolic exhortation on evangelization, is a communities in mind, WYD can be even more great step in teaching young people how to enriching. It can equip them as missionary evangelize and share the Gospel with others, disciples. When pilgrims see that ultimate especially their peers. As Pope Francis notes, destination is the Kingdom of God, then WYD evangelization requires them to listen more becomes an exciting stop on the way that helps than speak, and to act with reassurance, them hear God’s voice. compassion, healing, and encouragement. The end of World Youth Day, then, Before going to WYD, a pilgrim should have a is only the beginning. solid understanding of the community from which they are being sent (and to which they

World Youth Day Resource Logistics: Practical Tips for Leaders

WYD requires a great deal of logistical planning (http://www.embassyofpanama.org), and the and coordination, especially on the part of Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) website, international pilgrim leaders. Even though there (http://www.visitpanama.com). Regularly will be unexpected surprises, it is essential for checking these will familiarize you with the you to do plenty of research and planning so culture and any developments in the country. that your group has both primary and backup The information found there could also be plans. Additionally, you should regularly check helpful in assisting your pilgrims with their own the official World Youth Day website understanding. If time and finances allow, you

(http://www.panama2019.pa), the United are well advised to take a familiarization tour States’ official WYD site (www.wydusa.org), of Panamá in advance of the WYD events. and their associated social media accounts in Gaining firsthand knowledge of the landscape, order to stay informed. It is also important for accommodations, transportation, food options, you to be familiar with the country of Panamá and people can potentially eliminate surprises and Panamanian culture, and to know a few and misconceptions. If this is not possible, basics of Spanish. You can go to the library or pilgrimage leaders could consider arriving in bookstore to find the most up-to-date travel Panamá a few days prior to the official start of books and resources on the faith and history of WYD to orient themselves to the city, find the the Panamanian people. You can also connect USCCB / WYDUSA support office, and scout with travel websites, the online home of the the venues of the central events, housing, Embassy of Panamá in the United States festival events, and catechesis.

WORLD YOUTH DAY SCHEDULE The general outline (subject to change) for WYD 2019 is below. This is similar to the general schedule of international WYD gatherings in the past. The most updated information about the World Youth

Day schedule of events can be found at http://www.panama2019.pa.

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday January 22 January 23 January 24 January 25 January 26 January 27

Morning Morning Morning Morning Morning Morning

through Catechesis Catechesis Catechesis through WYD Final Mass Afternoon Afternoon and Closing with Bishops with Bishops with Bishops Pilgrim Walking Ceremony with Catechetical Catechetical Catechetical Pope Francis Arrivals Pilgrimages to Venues/Sites Venues/Sites Venues/Sites Evening Vigil Cinta Costera Arrivals to around around around Panama; Panamá Panamá Panamá checking in at pilgrim housing sites Afternoon Afternoon Afternoon Afternoon

through Cultural Cultural through Evening Evening Festival Festival Return Walking Cultural around around Pilgrimages from Festival Panamá Panamá Final Mass

around Panamá Evening Evening Evening Evening

Opening Papal Via Crucis Candlelight Mass Welcome Prayer with Prayer Vigil with Archbishop Ceremony Pope Francis Pope Francis Jose Ulloa with Pope Cinta Costera Cinta Costera Francis Cinta Costera Cinta Costera

The official beginning of WYD is the Opening nearby countries too– enabling international Mass; however, there may be activities taking pilgrims an opportunity to engage in missionary place prior to the opening ceremonies. In work or service. The Days in the Dioceses, while addition, during the week prior to WYD, Days connected to WYD events, are separate from in the Dioceses are held around Panamá and WYD, with registration handled by the

33 individual host dioceses. More details can be available at accommodation sites (or another found at http://www.panama2019.pa. designated location). These items are essential; pilgrim credentials must be worn at all times for Catechetical sites will be assigned to each admission to WYD events. group that registers for WYD based on housing location and language preference. Bishops from Opening Mass around the world provide catechesis for the The first official event of WYD 2019 is the pilgrims, reflecting on the themes of WYD Opening Mass on Tuesday evening (January and concluding with a midday Mass. 22nd) with Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A., the Archbishop of Panamá. The Cultural Youth Festival is a series of events The Holy Father will not be present for this that taking place across the Panamá region event. This liturgy sets the tone for the week including concerts, presentations, exhibits, and is the first experience of WYD. Expect performances, lectures, prayer and devotional most of the Mass to be in Spanish (although a opportunities, charitable activities, networking, simultaneous English translation should be and other programs. A printed or online available via radio). directory of the various Cultural Youth Festival options will be made available immediately The Mass will be held along on the Cinta prior to or during the WYD week. Costera in Panama City. There will not be any chairs; pilgrim groups will gather on the grass. Pilgrim Packets Groups can use tarps, blankets, or beach mats As part of the WYD registration, pilgrims to mark their spot. Pilgrims may want to bring should receive WYD credentials, meal tickets foam pads for seat cushions if they can easily fit (or voucher book), a guidebook featuring times in their backpacks. Massive television screens and events, a worship aid for liturgical will be stationed throughout the venue, so celebrations, and a backpack (along with other groups do not need to sit close to the stage items determined by local organizers). The area. As at all gatherings throughout the week, credentials also serve as the pilgrim’s ticket for be sure to locate the most accessible toilets, Panamá transportation (trams and buses) first aid stations, and food tents, as well as the throughout the week. Pilgrim packets will be best routes in and out of the area.

that pilgrim groups go to the catechetical This event may be subject to transportation sessions to which they are assigned rather than challenges, since the massive influx of pilgrims searching for sites with particular bishops or is entering the city for the first time. Therefore, animating teams with whom they are familiar. pilgrims should be prepared for delays and long Discovering new insights and meeting new lines and allow plenty of time for travel. Usually people is part of the WYD experience – and a the transit issues improve as the week goes on. way to respond with humility and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Catechesis On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning Cultural Festival & Activities (January 23, 24, 25), catechetical sessions are Throughout the week, dozens of expositions, held throughout the city. Groups will be concerts, dramas, and other faith-based events assigned to a location near their will be available at many different venues accommodation site so that they will not need throughout Panamá in multiple languages. to travel far to get there. Some sites will be Collectively, these events are referred to as the small churches or schools, while others will be “Cultural Youth Festival” (Festival) and are free larger sports arenas. Each catechetical session to all registered WYD pilgrims. will be based on the theme for that day and will begin with warm-up activities for the pilgrims Pilgrimage leaders will want to look over the (called “animation”). A bishop who speaks the Festival schedule, in advance if possible, and pilgrims’ language will offer a presentation on plan on visiting some events throughout the the themes, and the session concludes with week. This is a great way for pilgrims to take in Mass. These sessions are great opportunities for more of the local culture, to go deeper in their pilgrims to meet others from around the world formation or spiritual growth, and to meet who speak their language, hear from a bishop other pilgrims from around the globe at less who is passionate about the Gospel and young crowded venues. More information on the people, and experience the Sacrament of specific activities during the Festival will be Reconciliation, which may be offered there. available in the official World Youth Day These are core formation experiences of guidebook upon arrival in Panamá. WYD– not to be missed. It is also advisable

Afternoons are also a good time for groups to This event will be very crowded since it is the take a break, rest, and refocus their energies first encounter between the Holy Father and with some unstructured time. For example, the young people. If your group arrives early, some pilgrimage leaders find a quiet park for you may find space near a fence or roadway their pilgrims to pray, rest, or converse among where the pope mobile will be passing by. Just themselves. Groups may also seek out a local know that, immediately prior to the pope’s restaurant or sidewalk café to taste some of the arrival, those areas will get even more crowded local food and drink. and people may start pushing. Encourage pilgrims to be calm and gracious, yet also These afternoons can also be used for small protective of themselves, each other, and their group discussions or theological reflection. belongings. You will also want to ensure that Other group members may want to take in the your group’s pilgrims are not the ones shoving Festival or use the time to meet international others around, and as a leader, you have the pilgrims. WYD leaders should do what they authority to inform pilgrims (yours or others) think best for their group. that they are acting inappropriately.

Papal Welcome Ceremony Via Crucis (The Way of the Cross) On Thursday afternoon (January 24), WYD All World Youth Day participants are invited to pilgrims will joyfully welcome Pope Francis to take part in praying the Via Crucis (The Way of Panamá at the Papal Welcome Ceremony. the Cross) on Friday evening January 25. The There will be a prayer service with the Holy exact location of this will be announced later. Father and he will give his first remarks to the Pilgrims may be able to watch some of the young pilgrims. Since this will be held along the prayer service live and some on a video screen, Cinta Costera, the same venue as the Opening depending on how the local organizers present Mass, pilgrimage guides will know how to get the stations. Previous experience has been that there, what to expect, and where to sit or stand. the crowds for this event, if held in a central The pope will likely speak in Spanish, so be location, are not as heavy as previous nights; sure to remind pilgrims to bring their radio and still, caution should be exercised regarding headphones so that they can listen to the space, belongings, etc. This event may also be simultaneous translation. in Spanish, so once again, it is important to

36 bring a radio and headphones. The prayer be in one bag or package, so pilgrims should service for the Via Crucis may be found in the take stock of all items contained in the packet, official WYD pilgrim journal or on a mobile and ration them accordingly. Remind pilgrims application; however, if it is not accessible at not to eat all their food on Saturday - this the time, pilgrims can use any Stations of the happens more than you might expect! Also Cross service to follow along. Since this prayer remind pilgrims to pack their radio and centers on the Passion and Death of our Lord, headphones in their bags so that they can it should be observed with due solemnity. follow along at the Vigil and Mass. Encourage your pilgrims to maintain a respectful, reverent spirit and to enter into The walk to the Vigil site may be long and take contemplation of the Paschal Mystery. place over uneven, waterlogged, or dirty terrain, as well as residential areas. Help pilgrims be Saturday Vigil Walk aware of their surroundings and respectful of On Saturday (January 26), the WYD pilgrims local residents’ property. Pilgrims should drink will make their way to the Cinta Costera for the plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and, if evening vigil. Pilgrimage leaders should have a any problems should arise, locate WYD clear plan for getting to the vigil site. If the local volunteers for assistance. organizers have designated a particular section for you and your group for this event, please Saturday Night Prayer Vigil respect those directions and go to your assigned Although pilgrims may be tired and tempted to area. There is a reason for these assignments; go to bed early on Saturday night (January 26), overcrowding is a risk to everyone and results they should not miss the solemn and beautiful in uncomfortable sleeping arrangements or Candlelight Prayer Vigil with Pope Francis. The potential conflicts with other groups. Vigil is one of the most memorable aspects of the pilgrimage. Encourage young people to Remember that pilgrims only need to take with embrace the silence and join in song at the them what they need for Saturday and Sunday vigil’s various points. When the entire field of (January 26 and 27). A packet of food, enough young people is silent as the Holy Father leads for 24 hours, will be provided to pilgrims either quiet adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, it is in route or as they enter the vigil site. It may all truly remarkable. Pilgrims should maintain a

37 respectful attitude so that they and others can The Mass will take place in Spanish, so pilgrims encounter the Lord in prayer. should use their radio and headphones again if they are not familiar with the Spanish language. When the service is finished, most pilgrims remain in the field and sleep under the stars. Be Since this is the celebration of the Eucharist, it prepared for rain or flooding by sleeping in and is essential that pilgrims maintain a respectful around (or under) protective covering. Pilgrims and reverent attitude throughout the liturgy. may only get a few hours of sleep that night, The encounter with Christ in this Final Mass but they should try their best to rest. They will concludes the experience at the mountaintop need energy for the final Mass and the walk summit of World Youth Day; pilgrims should back to the starting point. be open to hearing God’s voice as the disciples did at the Transfiguration. Sunday Closing Mass with the Pope On Sunday morning (January 27), Pope Francis At the conclusion of Mass, the Holy Father will preside at the WYD Closing Mass along the traditionally announces the location of the next Cinta Costera in Panama City. Everyone in the World Youth Day. Many groups depart host country, not only the WYD participants, is immediately following the final song; however, welcome to attend the Closing Mass, so do not pilgrims are welcome to stay and eat their be surprised if the little bit of open space near provided lunch in a leisurely fashion. The your group is filled on Sunday morning. crowds may thin out while they eat, and pilgrims may have an easier time getting back to Encourage pilgrims to treat the new arrivals as the housing sites, whether by walking or using guests and greet them with hospitality and public transportation, if they wait. graciousness. The pope is anticipated to arrive before the Mass so that he can tour the open PACKING ESSENTIALS field in the pope mobile. The roadways and fences will be especially crowded. Be aware of Clothing and Shoes your group’s equipment and belongings so that If your group will be staying the traditional they are not trampled on by people seeking a length of WYD (Tuesday, January 22 through better view of the Holy Father. Sunday, January 27), pilgrims should bring

38 clothing for five or six days and plan on Pilgrims should wear layers because of the wearing some items twice. If your pilgrimage is fluctuating weather patterns; this is especially longer (with days in the diocese, additional tours or important for the Saturday walking pilgrimage travel days), advise pilgrims to bring only the and overnight vigil. Those 24 hours may go clothing they need (rather than extra outfits) – from warm to cool and back to warm. or to bring travel soap so they can wear some things more than once. Some other tips: ● Pack extra thin socks (which can take There is no need for any formal clothing at almost no space and wash/dry quickly); WYD, so pilgrims should pack functional, wearing two at once can limit the casual apparel. Some religious shrines and formation of blisters. churches enforce a modest dress code requiring ● Bring a washcloth or small towel to rub that shoulders and knees be covered, so off some of the dirt caked in your skin pilgrims should be prepared for that. In general, or clothes with something other than pilgrims should wear modest and appropriate what you’re wearing. clothing throughout the WYD pilgrimage, ● Bring a roll of toilet paper with you in keeping in mind that they represent their parish, the event that the portable toilets do diocese/eparchy, movement, and country. not have this, or if you need something to wipe up spills or sweat. Pilgrims will walk a great deal WYD, so travelers should bring sturdy, well broken-in The WYD Backpack vs. Your Own shoes along with foot care or a blister kit Pilgrims are encouraged to bring their own (available at local drug stores). The weather in backpacks or one from the WYDUSA store Panamá in January has constant high rather than relying on the backpacks that temperatures (highs between 86 and 92 degrees; Panamá will provide. While the official WYD lows averaging around 72 degrees), and while it backpack is a great perk that comes with is generally not humid, there tends to be registration (and a wonderful memento), the consistent cloud coverage and moderate wind. quality, size, and design of the pack may not fit Pilgrimage guides and pilgrims are encouraged your pilgrims’ needs. In addition, there will be to check the forecast so that they can bring hundreds of thousands of identical Panamá appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. 39

2019 backpacks at WYD, so the likelihood of should pack certain essentials in their carry-on one person’s bag being picked up by another (e.g., passport, medication, toothbrush and person, or lost in a pile among identical travel tube of toothpaste, and a change of backpacks, is very high. It is better for pilgrims clothing in case of delayed or lost baggage). to bring the official bag home as a souvenir and They should also carry any cash they are use another one for the week. The unique bringing and any fragile items such as WYDUSA or local bags will also make it easier electronics. The airline may provide a small to identify the group in large crowds. pillow and blanket, but pilgrims may want to bring earplugs and/or eye masks if they would Some features that pilgrims ought to look for in like to sleep on the flight. Be sure to check the a good backpack: sturdiness; pockets for water TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov/traveler- bottles that are accessible without taking the information for a full list of what can be pack off; attachment points for tying things on brought through airport security. or hooking in carabineers; a good size to carry all the supplies (food, blankets, devotional Packing for the Week books, radio, etc.) for the week; and a sternum During the WYD, pilgrims should plan on strap so the shoulder straps do not slip off. A taking whatever they will need for the entire day belt strap can be helpful in transferring the in their backpack when they leave in the weight of the full backpack from the shoulders morning. This may include: rosary, jacket or to the hips. The backpack can also be the sweater, rain jacket or umbrella, flashlight, pilgrim’s carry-on for the flight. Pilgrims may snacks, hand sanitizer, travel toilet paper, a also purchase, in advance, one of the official pilgrim journal, a small radio (and headphones) WYDUSA sling back backpacks available at for simultaneous language translation at major www.wydusa.org. events, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, foot care kit, cell phone, and a cell phone pocket Packing for the Flights charger. They should bring a water bottle that Many airlines and travel companies limit they can refill throughout the day. If you or passengers to one checked back and one carry- your group is using a tour bus, travelers can on. Pilgrims should be aware of these usually leave backpacks on the bus. Note that regulations when preparing for this trip. They some museums and WYD venues will require

40 backpacks to go through a metal detector or be Language left outside of security. Panamanians speak Spanish, and some have a Panamá works on a similar electrical system as working knowledge of English. However, the United States. In Panama City, the voltage knowing a few phrases in Spanish such as is 120 volts, in other parts of the country it can “Yes” (“Sí”), “No” (“No”), “Where is the be 110 volts. Electrical appliances in the U.S. bathroom?” (“Dónde está el baño”), and are typically rated 110-120 volts, so electrical “Thank You” (“Gracias”) will go a long way to adapters are not needed. Electric wall sockets help communicate. To ask for help or to get may be the two-pronged ungrounded or the someone’s attention, say, “Disculpe.” If you three-pronged grounded wall plates as found bump into to someone or cut somebody off throughout the United States. while walking, say, “Pardón.” Pilgrims may consider packing a small Spanish phrase book. Packing for the Vigil Walk & Mass If your group includes fluent Spanish speakers For this two-day experience of “roughing it,” (or your group meets others who speak both pilgrims will only want to bring what they need Spanish and English), you might also consider for Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the gear inviting them to assist those pilgrims who only they normally carry during WYD week, pilgrims know English, which would also be helpful for will need: a sleeping bag or blanket (or a pilgrim fellowship, camaraderie, and cross- lightweight sleeping bag liner), a ground cloth cultural learning. In addition, it is good for to prevent dew or rain from soaking the pilgrims to know some basic phrases of the sleeping bag or blanket (a shower curtain from other central WYD languages (French, a dollar store works great), a sleeping pad (a German, and Italian) in order to converse with cheap pool mattress can do the job), flashlight, other pilgrims. Leaders can work with pilgrim change of clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, groups to learn and practice basic phrases and and small bags of medicine. This is where words together. Ask the pilgrims what language having attachment points on your backpack can they study in school and ask them to take the be valuable. Climbing carabineers are especially lead on teaching the others that language. handy for attaching things to the backpack.

Getting Around Walking is a key component to WYD; there is Transportation is a significant issue at WYD; no way around it. If your group has any the event always puts a major strain on the pilgrims who are mobility-impaired, be sure to transportation infrastructure of the host note this at registration, check in, or arrival at country. Expect delays and even breakdowns in WYD events with the on-site volunteers. the system. It is anticipated that the WYD credentials will serve as the pilgrims’ passes for Medical Issues unlimited travel on the buses, metro and trains According to the Center for Disease Control in and near Panama City. If your group has not https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/tr experienced major public transportation before, aveler/none/panama), pilgrims do not need and if circumstances allow, consider traveling any special vaccine to go to Panamá. with your pilgrims to a major metropolitan city in the U.S. (as part of their pilgrim preparation) Please note that the Zika virus (and other to practice the art of riding public transit. Every mosquito-borne viruses) may be present in pilgrim should be able to read the public Panamá (however, it should be noted that transportation route map of Panamá, within Panama City, the risk is lower than in the http://www.visitpanama.com/about/transport forested areas of the country). Regardless of ation, know how to plan a trip on a public risk, it is important to review the precautions system, and know how transfer between the and details about the virus on the CDC website: two metro lines (one is elevated and the other is (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/z underground). Group leaders should check on ika-virus-panama). these public transportation details (i.e. picking up a transit map, practice riding the system, Pilgrims should check with their doctors to etc.) soon after arriving in Panamá. ensure that they are healthy enough to travel and with their health insurance companies to Expect to walk between five to ten miles each see what coverage, if any, they receive when day as part of the WYD experience. Distances traveling abroad. WYD may provide some will depend on the location of your limited health insurance as part of the pilgrim accommodations and catechetical sessions in package (though this is not known at the time relation to the central events and center city.

42 of writing, nor guaranteed). Travelers may of their travel plans so that the bank does not consider supplemental health insurance. think the card has been stolen. This is usually easy to do online. Pilgrims should not use Pilgrims should keep a copy of their current travelers’ checks. Pilgrims should note that prescriptions with them, in case their banks and currency exchanges will not convert medication gets lost or needs to be refilled balboa back to U.S. currency, so coins should unexpectedly. This also helps if there is an be spent or kept for a future trip to Panamá. emergency, letting medical professionals know what medications are regularly taken by the Food and Meals patient. There will be medical personnel at all The local water is safe to drink, and most the major World Youth Day event locations, Americans should have no trouble with with first aid tents clearly marked. traditional Panamian food, which features Caribbean influences. Panamian food often Money in Panamá revolves around maize, rice, products made Panamá’s currency is called balboa (named after with wheat flour, plantains, and yucca, as well the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa). as beef, chicken, pork, and seafood (especially One Balboa equals one U.S. dollar, and the U.S. seafood, since Panama is bordered by the ocean dollar is legally circulated in Panamá, so to the north and south). There are American pilgrims do not need to convert their money; restaurant chains in Panama City if pilgrims are they should simply bring U.S. cash. The balboa seeking something more familiar, but encourage is only available as a coin, and U.S. dollars are your group to be more adventurous. During the only paper money. WYD, registered pilgrims who choose the meal option will receive food vouchers as part of Currency may also be obtained in Panamá registration. If using a travel company, be sure through ATMs or a major bank. Credit cards to review what meals will be provided and and debit cards are handy, but not all are which meals are on your own. If your group is accepted and many street vendors or small using the WYD-provided simple housing, there shops only take cash. ATMs and banks may will be breakfast available near your housing or charge a transaction fee for each transaction. If catechetical sites. Hotels may offer a breakfast taking a card, pilgrims should inform their bank option as part of their package as well.

For lunch and dinner, the WYD vouchers can office of your diocese/eparchy for information, be used at local restaurants or food tents near especially if you are traveling with minors or WYD activities such as catechetical sessions, vulnerable adults. When the groups is in a large central events, and cultural festival locations. crowd, it is essential to have an exit strategy and The voucher system allows for this flexibility. a pre-determined place for pilgrims to gather if Further instructions will be included with the they get separated. These precautions will be pilgrim packet or on the official World Youth helpful not only for your pilgrims, but the Day websites in advance of the trip. safety and security of all WYD participants.

Emergencies and Protection Please note that there may be cultural If you or any members of your group are in an differences regarding personal space (space emergency in Panamá, you can dial 911 (the between one’s body and another’s). In the U.S., same as the U.S. 911). For specific issues, Fire people generally prefer lots of personal space; is 103 and Police are 104. Visit this web link for however, people from other parts of the world additional emergency and medical numbers: may be used to being closer to one another. (http://www.visitpanama.com/about/medical). Help prepare pilgrims for these differences. Many Panamanians speak English and may be Remind them that, in large crowds, they may able to assist you. There are also many WYD feel like their personal space is being invaded. volunteers (who speak multiple languages) and As long as these encounters are not dangerous they can help or point you in the right direction or leading to abuse of any kind, pilgrims should for more information. In addition, you can get be prepared to accept some discomfort. non-emergency assistance from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Cell Phones Overseas (USCCB) and the U.S. Consulate, both of Many Americans who travel to Latin America which will have offices set up in Panama City. come home to massive cell phone bills because they did not manage their data usage during the Be aware of safe environment procedures, in trip. If pilgrims are bringing a cell phone case pilgrims are inappropriately approached or overseas, they should contact their mobile touched. Know who to contact and what to do. phone service provider to understand the fees Consult with the child and youth protection associated with using their phones and data

44 plans overseas. Not all cell phones work should pay attention to the trends of cell phone overseas but some carriers will loan travelers a use of your group and help them to use phone for their trip. Some people bring an technology in the best way possible. unlocked phone and purchase a local SIM card once they arrive; these are available in Panamá. Time Change From October to early April, Panamá is on Pilgrims may consider using digital services like Eastern Standard Time. In January 2019, during Skype (if Wi-Fi capabilities are available at the WYD, then, 6:00 P.M. in Panama City is 6:00 housing site in Panamá), as this cuts down on P.M. in New York, 5:00 P.M. in Chicago, 4:00 the costs of communication overseas. P.M. in Denver, 3:00 P.M. in Los Angeles, 2:00 P.M. in Alaska, and 1:00 P.M. in Hawaii. Pilgrims should remain aware that this trip is a pilgrimage, not a vacation, and should try not to It is helpful for pilgrims to get enough rest to use their mobile devices as if they had not left stay healthy throughout the pilgrimage. This home. Mobile devices should be used only for can be challenging since pilgrims are excited to the purposes of the pilgrimage (for instance, be far from home, exploring a new country, using a WYD mobile application, reading bonding with their friends, and meeting new Scripture or devotional prayers online, etc.) or people. Leaders must get rest (and are typically for emergency contacts. more conscious of this need) and pilgrims should do the same. Everyone will enjoy the When walking around Panama City, at major experience more if they are not sleep-deprived. events and catechetical sessions, and on the journey to Panamá, please encourage the group Passports and International Travel to use discretion when using cell phones. There Traveling internationally involves additional are appropriate times for using them (i.e. the challenges for WYD pilgrims. The U.S. WYD mobile app, using maps, taking notes Department of State has a website during catechesis, etc.) and there are times (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/ when it is not appropriate to use mobile devices general/americans-traveling-abroad.html) to (i.e. taking pictures during the elevation of the assist U.S. citizens traveling abroad and offers Eucharist, texting constantly, ignoring those specific information for traveling to Panamá, around them while on the phone, etc.). You 45 including important travel warnings and alerts Should pilgrims lose their passport, they must (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en immediately seek out the United States /country/panama.html). Embassy in Panamá: Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas United States citizens need a valid U.S. Building No. 783 passport to travel to Panamá and it must Clayton, Panamá have at least six months of validity left for Telephone: +(507) 317-5000 international travel (i.e. passports used for Emergency After-Hours Telephone: the trip to Panamá should be valid through +(507) 317-5000 August 1, 2019 or later). Fax +(507) 317-5278 e-mail: [email protected]. International travelers are encouraged to register their trip with the United States State Before going to Panamá, check out the Department Smart Traveler Enrollment embassy’s website at https://pa.usembassy.gov. Program (https://step.state.gov/step/). No Officials from the United States Embassy will visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling into also be available at various English-language Panamá. Leaders who have pilgrims who are in WYD sites throughout the week. complex immigration situations (DREAM, DACA, etc.) should consult with the U.S. State Trading at World Youth Day Department and the U.S. Citizenship and One way of celebrating the global faith Immigration Services (www.uscis.gov) prior to community at WYD is by trading cultural items booking travel to World Youth Day. with other pilgrims. This exchange is especially fun if pilgrims bring or make items to trade Pilgrims should make 3 copies of their such as prayer cards, crosses, buttons, stickers, passport; one should be left at home, one left at decorated clothespins, bandanas, hats, shirts, the diocesan, parish, or pilgrim group leader’s and so forth. These items often represent the office in the U.S., and one given to the pilgrim’s parish, diocese/eparchy, movement, pilgrimage leader to take to Panamá. This will local community, state, or country. Some make it easier to verify the pilgrim’s identity and people give away their items, but most try to citizenship if anything were to happen to their “bargain” an exchange for items that other passport while abroad. 46 pilgrims have to trade. These trades are done ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES informally throughout the week, en route to Leading a WYD pilgrimage is a great events, on the pilgrimage walk, or while waiting experience, but it can be intimidating when you for events to begin. Trading is optional; realize the awesome responsibility on your pilgrims should not worry if they do not have shoulders. A good pilgrimage leader assists his anything to trade. If pilgrims would like to trade or her pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage things that represent the Roman Catholic experience and also in their continued experience in the U.S., the WYDUSA office formation as a disciple of Christ afterward. (www.wydusa.org) provides some items for purchase in advance of WYD. These include The pilgrimage leader is a spiritual companion, WYDUSA clothing, backpacks, blankets, water tour guide, meeting planner, and risk manager bottles, prayer cards, and posters. The USCCB all rolled up into one. This leader’s guide Store has many other items that might be good includes both the spiritual and practical trade items as well. elements that go into pilgrimage leadership. Balancing these elements is a challenge, but one Three Opportunities to Never Pass Up that Lord has trusted you to embrace. What There are three practical opportunities that follows are some additional strategies for you in leaders and their pilgrim groups should never your own leadership experience of a group. pass up on a World Youth Day pilgrimage: Tour Companies or Do-It-Yourself 1. Refill the water bottle (whenever you see Organizing a WYD pilgrimage is a major a public tap. It’s free and safe to drink!)

undertaking and the amount of work can be 2. Eat something (from pilgrim pack meals daunting. Many larger pilgrim groups in the or at local restaurants or vendors), and U.S. (such as dioceses, eparchies, movements,

or clusters of parishes) hire a specialized travel 3. Use the toilet (at portable toilets, public company to take care of many of the details. restrooms, or at your lodging).

Another advantage of hiring a travel company Pilgrim groups should take advantage of these is that the company is there to assist you not three key opportunities when they arise, only in advance, but on the ground. Before because it is not always certain that another securing a particular organization or travel chance will come anytime soon. 47 company, it is important to check that their suited to young adults; others want to cut down references and financial state. on the overseas travel risks and liability, since minors (under 17) require closer supervision On the other hand, there is great flexibility in and assistance. If your diocese/eparchy, parish, developing a WYD pilgrimage on your own. or apostolic movement has decided to bring The overall costs may be less and there may be minors to WYD, written parental permission more options for transportation, and any documentation necessary for accommodations, and mobility. While travel transporting minors abroad without their companies will try to meet individual needs, parents or guardians must be obtained. putting the trip together on your own allows you to tailor it more nearly to the pilgrims’ Local communities can develop stateside WYD needs. Additionally, you can set your own activities for those young people who do not go deadlines for payments and other matters. to the international event – to give them an opportunity to witness and experience WYD- Pilgrim Age Concerns like events in their local diocese/eparchy or Although the title of this event is World Youth parish community. A list of the stateside Day, most of the world treats the international gatherings can be found at the WYDUSA gathering as a “young adult” pilgrimage - many official website, www.wydusa.org. of the pilgrims in Panamá will be in their twenties. The standard recommended age for Research, Research, Research this pilgrimage is 16 to 35, and over the past As previously noted, you should do extensive few years, the core age of the U.S. pilgrims has research on WYD, the pilgrimage travel, stops, been between 19 and 25. lodging site(s) and venues.

An increasing number of U.S. dioceses that If you are working with a travel company, be in send pilgrims to WYD have shifted to a policy frequent contact with them as details of the trip of bringing young adult pilgrims (age 18+). firm up. Some group leaders put together a There are a number of reasons for this: some notebook for their staff members and believe the WYD message, experience, and the volunteers that includes the important details endurance and virtues needed for it, are more for each day of the pilgrimage as well as pilgrim

48 rosters, rooming lists, and medical information pilgrimage guide, need to be able to delegate to for each pilgrim (which is to be kept co-leaders so that you can keep your mind on confidential). This is a great way for your staff the big picture. These may include attendance and volunteer leaders to be on the same page counts, tips, rooming lists, and other and have critical information at their fingertips. administrative tasks. For example, on the day of departure for Panama, the notebook might contain a timeline Lodging and Accommodations for the day, prayers for departing pilgrims, A group traveling to WYD has a wide range of flight numbers, reservation numbers, aircraft lodging options: schools, parishes, retreat layouts, and airport terminal maps –anything houses, hostels, hotels, and more. Simple that could help the leader feel prepared and housing options are provided in the registration confident. On a day during WYD, the package. If the group is staying in simple notebook might contain the official schedule, housing, the pilgrims may need to bring a accommodation info, festival options, a map, sleeping bag, sandals, and sleeping pad, as prayers, lists of the pilgrims, and daily team shower facilities may be limited. A simple tasks and contact information. breakfast is included. The most inexpensive option, simple housing matches the spirit of a Leadership Team pilgrimage. Keep in mind that leaders do not You should bring (and fund) at least one other have much say in where they are assigned, and person on the pilgrimage (a volunteer leader, a if the site is far the central events, pilgrims may fellow staff member, etc.) to act as co-leader. not be able to return during the day. Groups Many travel companies build in complimentary are also free to choose a hostel or hotel that registrations for leaders so that pilgrims all pay may offer additional amenities and services. a fair share of the costs. Co-leaders need to be among the first to rise each morning and often Alcohol in Panamá the last to sleep; they may miss some WYD The drinking age in Panamá is 18. A pilgrimage events and moments (for example, they may is not the proper place for minors (under 18) to have to take a pilgrim to the hospital while the experiment with alcohol, so pilgrimage leaders rest of the group goes to the Opening Mass). should enforce the U.S. drinking age of 21. Be There are several tasks that you, as the

49 sure to explain this in advance and consider least one (if not more) companion throughout adding it to your pilgrim code of conduct. the week to keep track of. Encourage pilgrims over 21 not to engage in excessive or public drinking, if at all. The WYD When traveling with a group by bus or rail, pilgrimage is a time to focus on God and the everyone should know two things: where they Church, not to socialize the same way they are getting off and what to do if they miss the might on weekend at home. stop. Leaders need to have a game plan, and a contingency plan, and make sure everyone Constantly Looking Ahead knows them. Cell phones make this easier, but Throughout the WYD events, you are the point not everyone in your group will have one that person for information for your group. Be works in Panamá. prepared for schedule or venue changes. Look ahead and plan what your group will attend, Trying to keep a group together in a crowd is how you will get there, and when to depart. The challenging. Some groups use an object like a obvious travel route may not be the best route flag, banner, cross, or simply an umbrella that for your group, especially if tens of thousands the group leader (or someone near the group of pilgrims have the same idea. Your group will leader) holds high. If you want to create a appreciate the time you put into giving them collapsible flagpole, buy a three-section solid “intel” and seeking out creative ways aluminum tent pole at a camping store (the around crowds or roadblocks. Sometimes you kind that uses a bungee cord to keep the three may need to leave the group in order to scout sections connected) and connect the flag or out the next route, site, or options for other object to it with zip-ties or similar upcoming central or local events. This is why connectors. Pilgrims then try to stay as close to it’s so important to have a good co-leader at the rally object as possible. Still, each pilgrim your side that you can trust to take over. should know what to do to reconnect with the group if he or she does get separated. How Not to Lose Pilgrims Be sure to discuss with your pilgrims how to be Just as Jesus sent the disciples out “in pairs,” “politely assertive” as they walk at WYD. pilgrims (no matter their age) should operate on Pilgrims from the U.S. often get separated from the “buddy system” where every pilgrim has at their group because they were too, well, passively polite. While pilgrims should never be 50 rude at WYD, they do need to be assertive their “wingmen” are. Then, in Panama, when walkers! Ask them to walk with confidence and one of the leaders asks the group to “check purpose in order to stay together. Some groups your wings,” each person looks for their two try to stay together by linking arms and making “wings.” If both are there, the pilgrim is silent. a human chain; this is dangerous and not They only speak up if they are missing a recommended, as individuals tend to lose “wing.” Since the system has built-in control over their own steps and endanger redundancy, if someone is missing, there should others by blocking or running into them. be two people reporting it; different from the Pilgrims should also stay in groups when going buddy system, this ensures two people are to the restrooms or off on their own to pray, keeping an eye on anyone in the group. visit sites, or meet other pilgrims. All these tips will help ensure group unity and safety. This system is not perfect. If several people are missing, it gets tricky. However, leaders will at Marking Your Territory least know that some people are missing and Consider using tarps, blankets, or beach mats to they can move from there. Most of the time, save your spot when your group finds a place to this exercise works efficiently and quickly, and sit for one of the central events (opening Mass, pilgrims are held accountable to each other. papal welcome, Via Crucis, etc.). This will deter other groups from walking through your area Doing this kind of check is especially important or stealing space/items. for transition moments: getting on and off public transit, upon arrival and departure from Check Your Wings an event location, at the beginning and end of One idea for pilgrim check-in is an exercise each day, and at meal times. called “check your wings.” During one of your WYD preparation sessions, gather the group Fundraising into a large circle facing in. Ask everyone to There’s no question that WYD is a financial memorize who is on their immediate left and challenge for many pilgrims. Some dioceses immediate right. These two become the offer financial assistance, some parishes do “wings” for the WYD pilgrimage. At other group fundraisers, and some pilgrims do sessions, make sure everyone remembers who individual fundraisers or ask for financial

51 assistance from friends and family. Raising Information Relay funds as a group can build community and get Good leadership requires good information and local communities engaged and invested in the good communication. Pilgrimage guides are pilgrimage. There are a plethora of fundraising strongly encouraged to carry a mobile device ideas available on the Internet (search “ministry and check daily for the latest WYD updates and fundraising”) and WYD organizers across the messages (either from the WYD organizers in country have creative ideas as well. Panamá or through WYDUSA). Organizers may use apps or social media to relay changes While there is no perfect fundraising option or alerts to group leaders. A mobile phone is a (and no surefire way to secure the funding), the great way to communicate with the pilgrims key is to integrate the spiritual and communal either through voice or text options goals of the pilgrimage into whatever (international rates may apply). Some travel fundraising activity is developed for the group. companies may provide one or more mobile phones to their groups. One way to get the local community more involved and engaged with WYD is for Inevitably, group leaders will need to make parishioners, families, or peers to “adopt” daily announcements to their pilgrims about pilgrims and assist them both financially and gathering times, transportation plans, meal spiritually. These adopters and their “children” options, changes to the schedule, and so forth. pray for each other during the preparation, Some groups are small enough for a leader to celebration, and follow-up of WYD. Some communicate with the group at any time, while communities and parishes host gatherings large groups may need to gather at a set time before and after the trip so that the pilgrims every day. If the group is too large to gather in and the adopters can be together. one place daily, consider meeting with co- There are several ways to keep the cost of leaders once or twice per day, relaying the WYD down for the group: choosing the simple information to the pilgrims through them. accommodation package; finding the best If the group is housed together, consider possible deal on airfare; using the meal voucher posting any updates on a board or sign in a system of WYD, among other options. clear, visible location.

The Sacrifice of Joining a Group The book, Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers Remind pilgrims that they sacrifice some of from the USCCB (available online through the their individual freedom when they join a USCCB Store at www.usccb.org), has some group, whether that group is five people, fifty excellent prayer services for the departure, people, or five hundred people. They need to journey, and return of pilgrims. Anyone may trust their pilgrimage leader and follow lead many of the prayers contained in the book, instructions, even when they might rather do including the “Blessing of Travelers.” Consider something else. This is essential to using the prayers with your entire group or communicate to young adult pilgrims who may encourage parishes or dioceses to use them to feel entitled to, and accustomed to, more send off their pilgrims. The book is portable independence. Make sure these young adults enough for pilgrimage leaders to carry with understand that if they choose to join the them to Panamá. Additional prayers and guides pilgrimage to WYD, they are agreeing to a set can also be found at www.wydusa.org. trip itinerary. This should deter pilgrims from going rogue or trying to change their travel Pilgrimage Leader Supplies reservations during the pilgrimage. In addition to your own personal supplies, you should consider bringing extra gear, even if it Traveling with a large group is hard. On a means checking an extra bag. You may want to spiritual level, the challenges that are inherent in bring some basic office supplies, inexpensive group travel can be integrated with a lesson on radios, duct tape and blue tape, tarps and beach the value of community and sacrifice. Leaders mats, sticky notes, pens, a compass, zip-ties, can point out that the good of the group must small clear bags, and garbage bags. outweigh the preferences of the individual. You could also purchase some of this in Pilgrim Blessings Panamá. Having these extra items is helpful Maintaining a prayerful spirit at WYD is when you have a with large group faced with essential to the true success of the pilgrimage. unexpected circumstances, bad weather, or Pilgrims must be reminded of this constantly, even just having a pilgrimage meeting or and pilgrimage guides must seek as much as pausing for a time of prayer and reflection. possible to model a recollected attitude.

It is also important for you to bring some items reflection, and rejuvenation. Caring for others (devotionals, books, prayer cards, a cross, cannot be done without also caring for yourself. rosary, journal, music, etc.) for the spiritual well-being of the pilgrims (and yourself). The World Youth Day experience offers Leading a group at WYD can be very pilgrims and pilgrimage leaders the opportunity exhausting. Therefore, it is important for you to of a lifetime – but not one that happens have tools to assist pilgrims in prayer, without preparation and planning.

Coming Down from the Mountain: Accompanying Pilgrims on the Return Home

Nourishing the pilgrim’s experience of into motion those dreams and hopes begun in discipleship after WYD requires intentionality Panamá, the pilgrim must come down from the and forward thinking. Without effort on the mountain. He or she ought to look forward to leader’s part, WYD may become an isolated the next step of the journey, but leaders may experience that does not lead a pilgrim to a need to accompany and support someone deeper faith in Christ. through the melancholy that can descend when the excitement is over. Helping pilgrims to see WYD is meant to strengthen the faith of WYD as a stop along the way instead of the pilgrims. Like Peter, James, and John at the end goal will help to ensure that the pilgrimage Transfiguration, World Youth Day pilgrims is an encounter with God that bears fruit. have a mountaintop experience and they may The pilgrimage leader’s work, then, is not over want it to last forever. But Jesus reminded when everyone is back in their home; the work Peter, James, and John – and he reminds continues. pilgrim travelers today – that they cannot live on mountaintop experiences alone. Returning Go Make Disciples home to the United States does not mean that One of the ways to assist pilgrims in the everything is finished; rather, leaving Panamá is return experience is to introduce them to just the beginning of the next phase in the the understanding that they are missionaries. pilgrim’s lifelong journey of faith. Keeping the 2019 WYD theme in mind, the pilgrims are to be servants of the Lord, saying In Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, when “yes” to God’s will as they are sent forth. In Jesus speaks with Moses and Elijah, he “spoke Pope Francis’ final homily in Rio de Janeiro at of his exodus that he was going to accomplish the Closing Mass of the last WYD, he sent in Jerusalem” (9:31) – pointing towards the pilgrims forth with the theme of the 2013 work that still needed to be accomplished after encounter: “Go … and make disciples of all this moment of glory. WYD likewise is meant nations” (Mt. 28:19). He said: to give pilgrims direction and formation for the tasks they lay ahead of them. In order to put

“With these words, Jesus is speaking to Pope Francis spoke about this affirmative each one of us, saying: ‘It was wonderful to response of young Mary of Nazareth in a video take part in World Youth Day, to live the message to WYD Panamá pilgrims saying, faith together with young people from the four corners of the earth, but now you must We are accompanied on this journey by go, now you must pass on this experience Our Mother, the Virgin Mary. She to others.’ Jesus is calling you to be a encourages us with her faith, the same faith disciple with a mission!” that she expressed in her song of praise. Mary said, “The Mighty One has done great The end of WYD was only the beginning. Pope things for me” (Lk 1:49). She knew how to Francis explained that the beatitudes should be give thanks to God who looked upon her the action plan for the young people’s lives: littleness, and she recognized the great “Look, read the Beatitudes: that will do you things that God was accomplishing in her good!” Like Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, “the life. So, she set off to visit her cousin man of the beatitudes,” the young adults of Elizabeth who was old and needed her to WYD were to be simple and pure in heart; to be close by. Mary did not stay at home peacemakers, hungering for righteousness and because she was not a young couch potato justice; poor in spirit; strong in the face of who looks for comfort and safety where persecution. For the upcoming WYD, the Holy nobody can bother them. She was moved Father has asked pilgrims to focus on the call by faith because faith is at the heart of Our God gives every person, and to continue their Mother’s entire life story. vocational pathway with a spirit of discernment. God does so, he is looking at all the love The image to encapsulate this message that he you are able to offer. Like the young chose for this WYD is the young Mary of woman of Nazareth, you can improve the Nazareth who was asked by the angel to share world and leave an imprint that makes a in God’s plan (Lk 1:26-38). Mary responds to her vocation with the words, “Behold, I am the mark on history ‒ your history and that of handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me many others. The Church and society need according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) you. With your plans and with your courage, with your dreams and ideals, walls of stagnation fall and roads open up that 56

lead us to a better, fairer, less cruel and holiness as conveyed by Saint John Paul II: more humane world.” “The universal call to holiness is closely united with the call to mission” (no. 90). Mary’s “Fiat” (or “Yes”), then, is the blueprint for Christian life, encouraging all pilgrims and Assisting Pilgrims Through This Call all people to embrace God’s will for their lives Pilgrims come to WYD for a variety of reasons, and set out to bring Jesus into their world. but very few come looking for more work to do! Yet pilgrims’ transformation into After the Transfiguration, a large crowd was missionary disciples is exactly what the Holy waiting for Jesus as soon as he came down Father and the Church are hoping for from from the mountain (Lk 9:37). After seeing the WYD. glorious vision of the divinity of Christ, the apostles were immediately confronted with How can pilgrimage leaderss encourage their suffering humanity. Jesus is asked to heal a pilgrims to become missionaries? How can they man’s son who is seized by a demon. bring excitement to their departure when nostalgia and memory tend to be the first As soon as they return home, perhaps even on considerations in the days after Panamá? the way, pilgrims will be given a chance to meet suffering humanity and bring Christ to it. Another step is to actively and intentionally When they do this, pilgrims become true talk about their future mission in the last days missionary disciples. WYD “alumni” are sent of the pilgrims’ time in Panamá. Help them to into their own homes, backyards, schools and process and understand that the best way to workplaces, to bring love, mercy, and the revisit their mountaintop experiences is to share compassion of Christ to all. the graces they received with others.

“Every Christian is a missionary to the extent Many pilgrims come back eager to share their that he or she has encountered the love of God story. Storytelling is a key part of the initial days in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are back home, and it should be done in a way that ‘disciples’ and ‘missionaries,’ but rather that we invites others to share in the fruits of the are always ‘missionary disciples’”(EG, no. 120). journey. Even though people may want to hear The call to missionary discipleship is the call to 57 the stories and experiences of Panamá pilgrims, It is also important for pilgrimage leaders to it may be hard for those who were not able to help the international pilgrims engage with travel overseas not to feel left out or jealous. stateside pilgrims, if there was a stateside Remind pilgrims to be sensitive of this reality. celebration in their area. Help pilgrims to understand that both experiences were Pilgrimage leaders can follow up with their important, and encourage the international pilgrims on several occasions– perhaps a week travelers, especially, to be humble. or several weeks after WYD, and again on different occasions throughout the year. At the At home after WYD, the pilgrimage leaders same time, the leader should encourage pilgrims should try to keep in touch with their pilgrims, not to get caught up in each other, but rather to asking them how they are doing and giving look outward and invite others to share the them strength and guidance whenever journey of faith. This includes friends and necessary. Asking good questions and praying family, fellow colleagues and students, and for and with the pilgrims in the months and those who do not share their Catholic faith. years after WYD will remind pilgrims that their journey does not end at the airport but Pope Francis challenges a missionary disciple to continues throughout their lives. accompany his or her peers with a listening heart and a gentle spirit. He says that the “art of Ideas to help pilgrims return home: accompaniment … teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other. ● Encourage pilgrims to write thank you The pace of this accompaniment must be notes to their youth or young adult steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness minister, pastor, parents and grandparents, and our compassionate gaze which also heals, benefactors, and anyone who had a hand in liberates, and encourages growth in the providing the opportunity for them to Christian life” (EG, no. 169). Pilgrimage leaders attend WYD. should model this steadiness in their own work ● Encourage pilgrims to write an article for with the pilgrims, helping the young people in their parish, campus, or diocesan website, their group to act in the same manner to those blog, social media page, newsletter, who might think or act differently than they do. newspaper, or magazine.

● Encourage pilgrims to speak to people in ● What was your favorite prayer experience? their parish, campus, or diocese/eparchy ● What stood out to you about Panamá? after one of the Masses or during any large ● How does the Panamanian Roman Catholic gathering within their local community. spirituality differ from your home parish, ● Help pilgrims to direct their renewed (arch)diocese/eparchy, and/or Catholicism energy and enthusiasm into projects or as practiced across the United States? activities in their local parish, campus, ● Where did you find peace or illumination diocese/eparchy, or community, especially on your pilgrimage? beyond the work of their particular youth ● What did the Holy Father (or a bishop, or young adult ministry program. catechist, or leader) say or do that really ● Point pilgrims towards a spiritual director impacted or challenged you? or mentor, who can help them process their ● Who are the memorable people you met? ongoing spiritual development. ● How was this pilgrimage different from the ● Encourage international pilgrims to vacations or excursions you may have taken collaborate with stateside pilgrims on some in the past? kind of project; this collaboration can ● How do you plan to keep in touch with the include a jointly-planned event or reunion new people you met? experience, as well as shared service, ● Who do you wish you could have brought formation, and social events. with you on this pilgrimage?

● How will you bring that person into the Questions leaders can ask pilgrims upon experience now that you are back home? returning home from WYD: ● How will you engage stateside pilgrims, as

well as friends and family at home, in your ● What was the high point of your WYD continuing pilgrimage of faith? experience? Why? ● How has your relationship with God been ● What was the most frustrating part? Why? changed or enhanced? ● What is one thing you learned from ● What three action steps or resolutions are reflecting on the theme of Mary’s Fiat? you taking next? ● What is one thing you learned about being a missionary disciple?

● How do you imagine you can make a Many of those who have had such an impact difference in your community now? In your were assisted by pilgrimage leaderss who parish, diocese/eparchy, or movement? accompanied and guided them along the way. ● Where do you feel God is calling you to go Jesus accompanied Peter, James, and John next? What are your future plans? down Mount Tabor, continuing to journey with them to Jerusalem, teaching, guiding, Coming down the mountain can be a sobering supporting, and encouraging them. The experience, but it can also be very exciting – for pilgrimage leader follows in Jesus’ footsteps as God has great things in store for the pilgrims of he or she journeys with the pilgrims and equips World Youth Day and for all who respond to them with the tools they will need to turn their the call of the Lord in their lives. experience in Panamá into a mission to turn the hearts of others towards Christ.

APPENDIX: Sample Post-WYD Group Sharing Sessions

Group sharing sessions and activities allow pilgrims to share their faith with others and Explain: “Upward then downward, upward to grow together in community. They are then downward.” People can describe their helpful in assisting pilgrims integrate their lives as an up-and-down experience, often personal and communal WYD experiences into feeling like a rollercoaster ride. Although there their daily lives. are tough moments and valleys of darkness, there are also times at the top of the mountain. SAMPLE GATHERING #1 Just as Jesus accompanied the disciples at both Downward then Upward: points, so God is with his people all the time. Continuing the Mission NOTE TO LEADER: You will need sticky notes, To map out these mountains in our own lives, pens, and a Bible for the activities of this gathering. we will remember the moments that have shaped us along the way. Opening Activity Sticky Note Transfiguration Mountain Opening Prayer God our Father, we gather today Action: Give each participant multiple sticky as we continue this lifelong journey notes and ask them to write down three that you have called us to through our Baptism. memories from the beginning of his or her personal faith journey. This could be a memory Help us to hear your word, of a memorable sacramental moment, an be docile to the Holy Spirit, overnight retreat, or a childhood memory of and realize that you have been with us their family or parish community. Then have throughout our lives. each person write on a sticky note a memory Give us strength, wisdom and humility from the most recent WYD. Have them to respond to the great needs arrange these notes in the shape of a mountain of our brothers and sisters around the world. (triangle) on the wall, placing the most We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. memorable, mountaintop moments at the peak.

Scripture without going out and evangelizing. You are Read the Transfiguration Story: challenged to keep Christ present in your life, either Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-10, or Lk 9:28-37 and to share the joy of the Gospel with others.

Catechesis and Reflection Small Group Discussion When Peter, James, and John had witnessed the Share with one another different mountaintop Transfiguration of Jesus, they were so amazed experiences of WYD and how those might that they wanted to stay with Him on the inspire you as you “come down from the mountaintop; they did not want to leave. As we mountain.” What evangelization steps and acts reflect on our experiences of World Youth Day, of service are you considering doing as a some of us wish we could have stayed on that response to WYD? mountaintop in Panama, too. Large Group Discussion But Jesus called his followers not only to be After this WYD experience, what do you feel disciples, but missionaries – to take what they God is asking of you? How will you go out and had learned and share it with others. Now Jesus share this Good News with those around you? calls us to do the same. Coming down from the What message from the WYD most affected mountain can be difficult. you? Where are you being sent? What is the next mountain God is placing before you, that The Apostles had the same challenge after you must climb next? And what might await watching Jesus ascend to heaven. The angels you at the top of that summit? asked them: “Men of Galilee, why are standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:11) And even Closing Exercise after this angelic “nudge,” the Apostles needed Action: Ask each pilgrim to write down (on to receive the Holy Spirit before they were sticky notes) five to ten things they want to do ready to go out to preach the Gospel. next in their faith lives. Invite them to post those notes in a descending pattern on the right We must ask ourselves if we remain “standing “slope” of their triangle mountains. here,” looking at pictures and videos, talking about the great moments of WYD in Panamá,

Explain: Your journey is not complete. Hail Mary, full of grace, WYD was just a moment along the way. Your the Lord is with you. mountain now represents the continued Blessed are you among women journey you are taking as you “come down and blessed is the from the mountain” and look ahead. fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, Closing Prayer: now and at the hour of our death. Mary, our Mother, Queen of the Apostles, Amen. we are mindful of the role you play in the evangelization of souls. Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, pray for us. We ask you to guide us and Saint James the Apostle, patron help us to fulfill the mission of of pilgrim travelers, pray for us. evangelization and mercy Saint Therese of Lisieux, patroness which your Son has given to his Church of the missions, pray for us. and which falls to us. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, young witness Mary, Help of Christians, from our native land, pray for us. we entrust ourselves to you Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron in the work of carrying the Gospel of young adults, pray for us. ever deeper into the hearts Saint John Paul II, patron and lives of all those around us. Amen. of World Youth Day, pray for us.

SAMPLE GATHERING #2 ● What was most challenging about What Just Happened? that moment? Unpacking World Youth Day ● Do you think of this moment any differently now that you are home? Opening Prayer ● Why was this moment so moving Lord, thank you for the opportunity or special for you? to gather with the Universal Church at World Youth Day. Open our hearts and After discussing each of the three moments, minds to see how your grace appeared take a few moments of silent prayer to thank during that sacred moment in our lives. God for them. In your name, we pray. Amen. Reflecting on the Words Reflecting on the Moments Explain: Now we would you to reflect on the Explain: We will take time to look back on words spoken at WYD by the Holy Father, by what just happened at WYD through the lens the bishops, and by others. of prayer and with the desire to discern where God is calling us now. First, we will reflect in Action: Bring to the gathering written copies of the large group on the major events of WYD. Pope Francis’ homilies and presentations at WYD, as well as copies of talks given by Action: If you are able, show video or photos bishops, catechists, or other speakers there, if from WYD, or bring up three major moments available. Give each pilgrim a different one from your group’s pilgrimage journey. This (though there may be some duplicates could include moments from before or after depending on the size of your group). WYD itself. In the large group, reflect on and Alternatively, if audio or video files are available discuss the following questions: online, allow pilgrims to bring earphones to listen to talks on their mobile device or laptop. ● What was most exciting about If this is too chaotic or logistically difficult, the that moment? entire group could listen or watch one of the ● What were you thinking then about pope’s talks together. Allow approximately 45 that experience? minutes of quiet time where each pilgrim can sit

64 with his or her particular text in a comfortable Action: Allow each person some room to space. Encourage them to take notes, underline write, but make sure they can still hear everyone lines that strike them, and pray over the words else in the large group. Ask them to reflect on they read or listen to. Then bring them together and write down any thoughts about these for small group discussions. questions:

Small Group Discussion ● Who were the people you met during the NOTE TO LEADER: Gather the group back preparation process? Think about fellow together and assemble into small groups, which will use pilgrims. Think about the people who the following questions to guide their conversation: assisted you in preparation, fundraising, and prayerful support. Think about parish, ● What stood out to you about the talk that diocesan, campus, or local leaders. Think you read? What was distinct about it? about family and friends with whom you ● Why do you feel those words were said at discussed your plans. World Youth Day? ● Who did you meet on the road to ● What was the pope/speaker responding to? Panamá? Think about the people in the ● Do you remember hearing these words in airport, the fellow travelers to Panamá, the Panamá? (and if so: What was your initial people who greeted you upon your arrival, reaction to these words then? Did it change etc. when you read it again?) ● Who were the people you met at the ● How might this message intersect with your events of WYD? Think about the WYD own life, situations, concerns, or calling? pilgrims from other countries and areas. ● Why do you think God wanted you to read Think about the bishops, catechists, leaders, through this particular talk? artists, and presenters at the events. Think about the security, business owners, local residents, and passers-by. Reflecting on the Encounters

Explain: Finally, we would like you to reflect ● Who were the people you met coming on the encounters of WYD. home from Panamá? Think again about those in the airport, on the road, your

family and friends, and those with whom NOTE TO LEADER: Gather the group back you have shared details of your trip. together and assemble into small groups, which will use the following questions to guide their conversation: Explain: Consider all these different people you encountered. Call to mind their faces, their Action: Organize the pilgrims into groups of 3 voices, and their words. Pray for them. Now to 5 persons for some additional questions; consider the following questions, and reflect on encourage pilgrims to be open if they are them on your own: comfortable doing so.

● Where did you encounter God along the Explain: Being grateful for the moments, way? words, and people of this pilgrimage, discuss ● What moment, what words, what person the following questions, as you feel comfortable paved the way to this encounter? doing so, with one another: ● When did that moment of God’s grace ● How might these people, moments, and come to you? When did you notice it? elements of WYD impact your life now? ● How did it feel? What did you think? What ● Are these moments, words, and people did you do when you noticed God there? pointing you towards something that needs ● What might the Lord be asking of you in to be adjusted in your life – or are they these encounters with these people? affirming a direction, decision, or inkling that you have had up until now?

Explain: Take a moment for silent prayer, to thank God for giving you this experience. Activity: Four Things Thank the Lord for the moments, for the Action: Once the small groups have finished, words, and for the people you met – and for come together in the large group and ask every having a chance to encounter him on the pilgrim to write down four things on four mountaintop of WYD. sheets of paper:

Small Group Discussion 1. What is one way that the exciting moments of WYD can help me to find the grace, grandeur, or transformative

experience of God in simple things and May these moments and these people in situations of everyday life? continue to guide us in all that we do, in all that we think, 2. What word, passage, or speech from and in all that we are, WYD will I carry with me through the now and for the rest of our lives. Amen. coming days, weeks, months, or years? Our Father, who art in heaven… 3. Who in my everyday life do I need to be Hail Mary, full of grace… more intentional about meeting and Glory be to the Father… knowing more about, just as I met and learned about others in Panamá? SAMPLE GATHERING #3 The Joy of the Call: 4. What one action will I take to keep the Sent Out as Disciples and Missionaries moments, words, and encounters of WYD alive beyond today? Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, we want to bring Action: Encourage pilgrims to keep these four your love, your peace, your justice, your life pages in their journals, Bibles, or in a special to all who are in need of it. place where they can refer to these notes and Enkindle our hearts, take away our fears, resolutions in the future. Encourage them to give us strength, enlighten our paths, take these pages into prayer with them. and guide us onward. Amen.

Closing Prayer Addressing Fears Good and gracious God, Explain: WYD 2019 has officially come to a thank you for the moments of grace, close, but the pilgrimage continues. Your duty the words of wisdom, as missionary disciples is not over. Your and the wonderful people missionary mandate may be carried out alone or you put along our paths with others, but each person to become a to and from WYD. missionary disciple in some way.

● Do you have any fears or hesitations about specific words which express an absolutely this call? What are they, and why? invariable content” (EG, no. 129).

Action: Discuss these fears and concerns about “God’s word, listened to and celebrated, the mission ahead. above all in the Eucharist, nourishes and inwardly strengthens Christians, enabling Reflection on Pope Francis’ Words them to offer an authentic witness to the Explain: The following are excerpts from Pope Gospel in daily life” (EG 174). Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. In this work, he shares what it means Individual Reflection to be a missionary disciple. We will take some Having listened to the Holy Father’s words, time to reflect on these passages in light of our consider the following questions: international WYD experience. ● After WYD, how are God’s Word and his “Each Christian and every community must missionary call fresh for you? discern the path that the Lord points out, but ● How are you responding or now planning all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth to respond to his invitation to missionary from our own comfort zone in order to reach discipleship? all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the ● What frightens you about the Holy Father’s Gospel” (EG, no. 20). words in Evangelii Gaudium? ● What excites you about his challenge? “Each individual Christian … is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and Small Groups: Missionary Courage promotion of the poor, and for enabling them Explain: In pairs (or trios), read the following to be fully a part of society” (EG, no. 187). Gospel passage aloud (Mt 10:26-33).

“We should not think, however, that the “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Gospel message must always be communicated Nothing is concealed that will not be by fixed formulations learned by heart or by revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in

the light; what you hear whispered, circumstances and the environment in proclaim on the housetops. And do not be which you live and work? afraid of those who kill the body but cannot ● Do you trust God to take care of you when kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one you are challenged for your faith or your who can destroy both soul and body in commitment to serve others? Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the Missionary Direction ground without your Father’s knowledge. Explain: Saint John Paul II wrote the Even all the hairs of your head are counted. encyclical letter Redemptoris Missio, devoted to, So do not be afraid; you are worth more “the urgency of missionary activity” (RM, no. 1) than many sparrows. Everyone who and, “to invite the Church to renew her acknowledges me before others I will missionary commitment” (RM, no. 2). acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will The fact that there is a diversity of deny before my heavenly Father.” activities in the Church’s one mission is not intrinsic to that mission, but arises from Explain: Reflect on and discuss the following: the variety of circumstances in which ● How does this passage relate to your that mission is carried out. Looking at experiences at WYD and your call to today’s world from the viewpoint of missionary discipleship? evangelization, we can distinguish three ● Do you find comfort in these words or do situations. they frighten you? ● Jesus did not mislead the disciples with false First, there is the situation which the promises; we know that being his Church’s missionary activity addresses: missionary disciple is not trouble-free. What peoples, groups, and socio-cultural challenges and difficulties do you imagine contexts in which Christ and His you might face as a missionary disciple? Gospel are not known, or which lack ● Jesus says to share what you have received. Christian communities sufficiently How do you plan to do that in your own mature to be able to incarnate the faith in their own environment and proclaim

it to other groups. This is mission ad faith. Take a moment for personal reflection gentes in the proper sense of the term. and ask yourself: to which of these three situations are you being called? Reflect on this Secondly, there are Christian in your heart and consider what may lie ahead. communities with adequate and solid ecclesial structures. They are fervent in Small Group Discussion their faith and in Christian living. They Action: Divide into groups of no more than bear witness to the Gospel in their five persons. Reflect on the following and then surroundings and have a sense of share as a small group. commitment to the universal mission. ● After your time of personal reflection, In these communities, the Church which of the three areas do you think carries out her activity and pastoral care. you are called to? ● Do you feel you need to continue to Thirdly, there is an intermediate discern how God wants you to share in situation, particularly in countries with the mission of Christ? ancient Christian roots, and occasionally ● What characteristics in you (gifts, in the younger Churches as well, where talents, affections, passions) might be entire groups of the baptized have lost a indicators of your particular vocation? living sense of the faith, or even no ● Do you have any doubts or confusion longer consider themselves members of about your calling? the Church, and live a life far removed

from Christ and his Gospel. In this Large Group Final Reflection case, what is needed is a ‘new NOTE TO LEADER: Reconvene the group evangelization’ or a ‘re-evangelization’” together for a final large group gathering. (RM33).

Explain: Missionary discipleship means that we Explain: Here are three situations in which we are challenged to truly act as Christians: to serve are called to be missionaries: (1) the places that the least, to advocate for justice and goodness, do not know God; (2) the places where faith is to courageously act with mercy and strong and celebrated; and (3) the places in compassion, to share our story and our witness need of a reawakening of the practice of the 70 of faith, to teach and accompany others, and to build up the Kingdom of God in our local communities and among our peers.

No one ever feels “fully prepared” for this mission. The Apostles certainly were not. But while we continue to learn and grow as disciples, we are called to take initiative and act with mercy and justice. We can start small; the most important thing is to take the first step. With that, we pray:

Closing Prayer At this point, the pilgrim leader can conclude the gathering with the World Youth Day Prayer for the United States (see next page), a litany of the many titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in Latin America, and/or an invocation of the patrons of World Youth Day 2019 and the patrons of pilgrims from the United States, before a final benediction and blessing by a bishop, priest, or deacon, if circumstances allow.

God our Father, be with us Through the intercession of Mary, on our pilgrim journey of faith. the Immaculate Conception, Give us the grace and courage patroness of our nation, to step forward in faith and hope may we be worthy witnesses of our faith, on the road ahead. humble representatives of our country, and inspired missionaries bringing peace, Open our eyes to see your face hope, and mercy into our communities. in all those we encounter. Open our ears to hear your voice We ask all this through Christ Our Lord. in those who are often ignored. Amen. Open our hearts that we might be faithful disciples of mercy and truth. St. José Sánchez del Rio, pray for us. St. Juan Diego, pray for us. Transform us. Empower us Bl. Sor María Romero Meneses, pray for us. to give of ourselves to the poor; St. John Bosco, pray for us. to welcome the lost; Bl. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, pray for us. to forgive those who hurt us; St. Martin de Porres, pray for us. to comfort those who suffer St. Rose of Lima, pray for us. and are marginalized. St. James the Apostle, patron of Bless those who travel pilgrim travelers, pray for us. from the United States of America to Panamá, to join the universal St. Kateri Tekakwitha, young faithful Church for World Youth Day. witness from our native land, pray for us.

Bless, too, those who celebrate stateside, St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of united in faith and joy. missionaries, advocate for youth, pray for us.

Like the disciples who journeyed Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron of young up the mountain to witness the adults, man of the beatitudes, pray for us.

Transfiguration, may this experience be an encounter that strengthens us St. John Paul II, founder and patron for our work in the world. of World Youth Day, pray for us. 72