This is the second part of our report on the Piarist Youth Meeting in Kraków. Following the opening and first-day activities, this instalment presents the central celebrations and the conclusion of the gathering.
The main focus of the day was the Eucharist, during which two juniors made their solemn profession: Bartosz Cielecki of the Holy Spirit and Jakub Urbaniak of the Presentation of the Lord. The Gospel was proclaimed in four mother tongues of the participants, repeating: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”. In his homily, the Provincial, Fr Mateusz Pindelski, asked not only the protagonists of the day—the religious making their everlasting “yes” to the Lord in the spirit of Calasanz—but also all the young people: “What is your root?” and “In whom are you rooted?”.
After visiting Kraków’s Old Town, with its beautiful Main Square, the young people returned for a night of dance and prayer. The time for celebration—always special at this meeting—included the dances known in Central-European Piarist circles as “Piarist Party”. At the same time, participants looked forward to the night prayer. The songs—this year in the Taizé style—were prepared by a group of participants from previous editions, an intergenerational band led by Magdalena Kiwior and coordinated by Anna Czekaj. The prayer continued until midnight, with individual Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all under the careful guidance of Fr Radosław Boboń.
The third-day talk was given by Fr Jacek Wolan, head of the Province’s youth ministry over the past six years. In the form of a riddle-game, he recounted three vocation stories: his own, and those of Landriani and Calasanz. He then invited the adult leaders—especially Piarist religious—to witness with the question: “What advice would you give today to your teenage self?”. After hearing the answers of about seven people, personally invited by some of the young participants, he offered this conclusion: “Almost nothing will turn out exactly as you want! Almost everything you truly desire will be fulfilled!”. With new questions—about how one’s roots influence one’s choices and vocation—the young people gathered in small sharing groups.
The closing Eucharist, solemn, was presided over by Fr Tomasz Jędruch, who launched the “SMP” meetings 25 years ago, the first driving force behind the gathering and part of its origins. In his presence, the story came full circle. The Provincial, Fr Mateusz Pindelski, expressed gratitude to the organisers of each edition, who have contributed to the current development of this emblematic event for the Province. The meeting proved fruitful for the entire generation of Piarist youth of the Province and was appreciated by guests from other Provinces, despite linguistic obstacles.
Within the Province, the “SMP” already has its “offspring”: “Wakacyjne SMP”, a summer meeting for upper-primarystudents; “Lokalne SMP”, local-level gatherings organised by and for neighbouring presences during the school year—very numerous especially during the pandemic; and the Youth Spirituality Congress – “Inspired by…”, a proposal for young adults aged 18–35. At the end of the Jubilee “SMP”, Fr Jacek Wolan thanked all participants for their way of living the faith; all the leaders—lay teachers, religious sisters and Piarists—for their dedication and presence; the Community of Kraków-Akacjowa, and especially Fr Jakub Wojciechowski and Deacon Janusz Dudek for their tireless support; and the Piarist Youth Animators, volunteers led this year by Maria Hadam, who make possible such a well-prepared, enjoyable and fruitful event.
Everything can be followed on the social networks and websites of the Province of Poland and “Młodzież Pijarska”. This has been—and continues to be—possible thanks to the work of the communications team: Magdalena Kiwior, Anna Czekaj and Joanna Czekaj.
Fr. Jacek Wolan, Sch. P.
