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PREPARATION NOTES: At the first opportunity after their return from Rome, gather the pilgrims with their families, friends, and their faith communities. This blessing is just that, a blessing. It may take place within the context of liturgy, after the homily, or at a separate gathering. It could even be used at the airport or another site to which all the pilgrims would return at one time. Feel free to add music if the setting permits. As is common, an opening and/or closing song may be added. Choose music that sings of thanksgiving for God's grace, that speaks to our mission as baptized people, that sings of the Church.
If gathering in a parish/diocesan site, at a time after the pilgrims have returned, it may add much to the environment to place mementos/recuerdos belonging to the pilgrims at the entrance to the prayer space. You may use this blessing service as a template and add other elements to it that speak more directly to the experience of your youth.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Your pilgrimage to Rome has been a moment of grace in your lifelong journey as young Christians. You return to us with renewed faith, new visions, and great dreams for sharing your faith with your peers and your family at home and in this faith community. You have heard the Vicar of Christ urging you to build your life on the rock that is Christ. You have passed through the Holy Door of Jubilee, and you have been strengthened in faith in God in order to live the new life God has given you in Jesus. Let us begin this time of thanksgiving for your safe return (pause). In the Name of the Father...In the Letter to the Hebrews, the author tells us that here we have no earthly city, we are always on pilgrimage, seeking the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem
READING: HEBREWS 13:12-21
RESPONSE: PSALM 84
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young.
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
Happy are they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Happy are the men whose strength you are!
Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
When they pass through the valley of the mastic trees,
they make a spring of it;
the early rain clothes it with generous growth.
They go from strength to strength
they shall see the God of gods in Zion.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
RETURNING PILGRIMS: (This is an opportunity to have one or two of the pilgrims share BRIEFLY what they believe to be the greatest blessings of their pilgrimage.)
ALL PILGRIMS: May God, our hope and our strength, fill us with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Glory to God now and forever. Amen!
INTERCESSIONS:
Good and gracious God, we are a people of the new Passover and we follow the path you have set out for us; may we be ever faithful in our journey. Let us pray to the Lord.
We are the Church, called to be salt and light; may we be evangelizers so that others will walk joyfully in God's ways. Let us pray to the Lord.
We have read that here we have no lasting city; may we always seek the new and heavenly Jerusalem. Let us pray to the Lord.
You ask us to be open to the signs of your presence among us; may we, as did your first disciples, come to recognize you as the companion of our journey in the breaking of the bread. Let us pray to the Lord.
For what else shall we pray: (Pause while the assembly adds their petitions)
BLESSING: (Pilgrims stand while the assembly is invited to extend their hands in blessing.)
Presider: Our God and our Creator, we offer you thanks and praise this day for the safe return of our pilgrims. Bless and keep them. Give them the strength to witness to the love of Christ now that they return to their faith communities, their families, their school and their friends. May they be modern prophets of the gospel of Jesus and may their spirit of joy and community shine on all whom they encounter. Keep the fire of your love burning deep within them so that they inspire and challenge those who welcome them home. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
SIGN OF PEACE
CLOSING PRAYER: God has graciously kept you safe and accompanied you on this pilgrimage and this same God will keep you under loving protection. Our loving creator will continue to inspire you to goodness and strengthen your devotion. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people God claims for his own, may you everywhere proclaim the goodness of God who called you from darkness into this marvelous light! Go in Peace and God bless you!