“Kaníkuly z Bohom” —in Ukrainian, Holidays with God— is a week of activities for children and young people linked to the pastoral life of the Piarist parish in Zolochiv, Ukraine. The event took place from 14 to 18 July 2025, despite the difficulties and dangers caused by the state of war and the Russian invasion. A total of 110 participants attended, ranging in age from the youngest, about 5 years old, to teenagers.
The organising team was made up of Sr. Laura, of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and three Piarists: Fr. Witold Peteczyc, parish priest of the community; Deacon Janusz Dudek; and Fr. Jacek Wolan, both from Kraków. This was all made possible thanks to the invaluable help of more than ten adult parishioners and twelve young animators who had been in a year-long process of preparation and formation: Tereza, Solomiia, Magdalyna, Stas, Daryna, Solomiia, Sofiia, Roman, Pavlo, and Viktor.
From Monday to Thursday, the day began at 10:00 am, with the leaders and animators meeting half an hour earlier. The programme included a talk in two groups: for the children, led by Sr. Laura; and for the teenagers, led by Fr. Witold. Each talk featured a Gospel text and the figure of a saint or blessed, together with a corresponding virtue: Blessed Carlo Acutis (friendship), Blessed Marta Wiecka (mercy), Saint Józef Pelczar (talents), and Saint Joseph Calasanz (wisdom). The biblical texts chosen were: the prologue of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the ten virgins.
The craft workshops, carefully designed by Deacon Janusz, prepared by Sr. Laura, and carried out in small groups led by pairs of animators, included: holiday diary; first aid items in the form of small practical objects; key rings made from shrink plastic; and lanterns crafted from glass jars decorated with tissue paper.
There were also sports activities with team competitions; theatrical, mime, and radio drama performances; and a talent show featuring drawing, dance, singing, and other skills. The gincana —an urban treasure hunt— allowed the young people to discover more about the city of Zolochiv, its cultural diversity, and its rich history, visiting places such as the town hall, the Greek Catholic church of the Franciscans, the cemetery with the tomb of Monsignor Jan Cieński (the only bishop of the Latin Church and a secret bishop during the communist regime), the city’s first Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, now cared for by the Basilians, and the Piarist church. This part of the programme was coordinated by Fr. Jacek with the valuable collaboration of the animators.
Until 5:00 pm, there was time for prayer: at midday with the Eucharist, and in the afternoon with the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. On Friday, all participants enjoyed a full day at the Drago Park amusement park in Lviv (Leópolis). The meals and snacks, lovingly prepared by parishioners, were greatly appreciated by all.
The Zolochiv school was founded in 1731 by Jakub Ludwik Sobieski, son of the King of Poland. At its peak it had around 600 students, but its history, though illustrious, was brief: after the first partition of Poland in 1784, the school was closed, and the building passed into Austrian hands under the Habsburgs. From 1838, the church formed part of the facilities of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From 1938, as a newly ordained priest, and until his death in 1992, Monsignor Jan Cieński —one of the few priests of the Diocese of Lviv— exercised his pastoral ministry in this city. In 2021, after 237 years, the Piarist Fathers returned to Zolochiv, once again serving the city’s only Latin-rite parish.
Jacek Wolan, SchP
