On Saturday, July 30, 2022, the 35th annual Franciscan Youth Meeting in Kalwaria Pacławska, Poland came to a close. The theme of the weeklong meeting was “Existence.”
During the event, nearly 680 people gathered on Kalwaria Pacławska Hill to pray, rest and seek answers about the meaning and purpose of existence.
After a two-year hiatus, this oldest Catholic youth meeting in Poland was finally back on schedule.
The meeting’s program included common prayer (devotions and Masses), fun and entertainment (sports competitions, concerts and a movie night) and fraternal time (discussion groups and a dance party). This year, the organizers introduced something new to the program: fourteen thematic workshops. They were a great success among the youth. The workshops dealt with a number of topics, such as, crafts, Mass Media, discovering talent, first aid, psychology, spirituality and personal development.
Guests at this year’s meeting included the Most Reverend Adam SZAL, Archbishop of Przemyśl, Poland; Maja and Krzysztof SOWIŃSKI; Maciej KOZŁOWSKI; and Tymoteusz FILAR. There were also special groups present, namely, Owca, Muode Koty, Fioretti, and Teatr Tańca Lilia. On Tuesday, July 26, Karol OKRASA, one of the most recognized and acclaimed chefs in Poland, also participated.
On Friday, July 29, Friar Marian GOŁĄB, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow) attended the meeting and spoke to the young people about how he discovered his vocation.
The meeting ended on Saturday morning, July 30. During the closing Mass, Friar Piotr KANTORSKI encouraged the participants, once they returned home, to develop what they received during the meeting in their own communities.
Karolina BONK
Spokesperson for the Franciscan Youth Meeting