“Pilgrims of Hope” was the motto of the XXIV Piarist Youth Meeting, which was attended by boys and girls from the Polish provincial presences, i.e. Boleszewo, Elbląg, Poznań, Łowicz, Bolesławiec, Katowice, Rzeszów, Kraków. Not only from Poland, but also from the Czech Republic (Strážnice) and Ukraine (Zólochiv), as well as a group of Rzeszów Piarists and another group of guests from the Hungarian province (Kecskemét, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nagykanizsa, Szeged, Vác, Budapest). The meeting took place from 11 to 13 October 2024 in Kraków.
On the first day, after the welcome, the groups, following the motto of the meeting, presented a place of pilgrimage in their region in the form of a theatrical study, e.g. history of apparitions, testimonies of pilgrims, personal memories of a pilgrimage there, etc. The day ended with a talk by Sebastian Kosecki, diocesan priest and influencer. The talk entitled “Come back home” was followed by the adoration of the cross led by the music group “Tehillah”.
On the morning of the second day, Jakub Karłowicz shared some surprising and unexpected anecdotes from his pilgrimages “Under God’s Protection”, or rather, from his spiritual experience of unlimited trust in God. On the same day, the young people took part in the Eucharistic celebration led by Fr Mateusz Pindelski, during which Jan Furman took his solemn vows in the Order of the Pious Schools.
After the ceremony of Jan’s vows and under the protection of Our Lady of Mercy (since the church in Krakow-Wieczysta), the participants continued the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow-Łagiewniki. On the way there, they meditated on the joyful mysteries of the rosary and gathered at the shrine to pray the Divine Mercy Rosary. In the evening, the usual part of the programme awaited them, i.e. a small song festival, a dance party and a very moving evening prayer. An exceptional band from among the participants (the same band that has played at our previous meetings) accompanied this prayer. The event ended at 2.00 pm with the individual blessing of the Blessed Sacrament.
Fr. Janusz Furtak, a Piarist missionary from Chile, and Bro. Jan Furman, who had made his solemn profession the day before, each one, spoke about the journey of discovery and discernment of their Piarist vocation. Magdalena Kiwior from the Provincial Communications Team interviewed them. This simple testimony was followed by discussions in small groups led by Piarist animators. The last activity of the meeting (SMP – abbreviation in Polish for “Piarist Youth Meeting”) was the Eucharistic celebration led by Fr Jacek Wolan, the Provincial Assistant for youth work. In his homily, he emphasised three thoughts: firstly, the young man in today’s Gospel was searching for more; secondly, what are you searching for? What occupies your young heart? – Calasanz Glicerio Landriani asked. In addition, the third thought is an invitation to us to ask ourselves the same question: Remember that your vocation is much greater than yourself!
With these words, the young people returned to their towns and villages, to their homes, schools and parishes, as very happy and joyful pilgrims, carrying with them the hope of the living God.
