Poland, Marta Juszczak/ Kuba Orłowski. On August 26th at 3:30 p.m. exactly, Father Wojciech officially begun Youth Festival 2010. Over 170 people gathered at the Fidelity Shrine in Świder to sing, listen, but first and foremost- to pray. Sharing this year’s motto, For You, the Youth were encouraged to discover how precious they are to one another.
Having given a short introductory speech, Fr Wojciech let the announcers, Jagoda Zajkowska and Arek Głodek, take the floor. After a quick dinner, there was a short lecture about self-education given by Kasia Sobiereiska from Bydgoszcz. Then with their souls nourished in the Eucharist and their bodies by the supper, everyone was ready for evening program prepared by friends from the Bydgoszcz diocese. Joy and laughter accompanied the festivities, and the first public appearance of the band, the Gregorians, was well received by the audience. Finally, the boys went to Józefów to come back next morning. Although not organized beforehand, the night was nonetheless full of activities ranging (apart from sleeping) from talking to games.
More joyful offerings
Morning Prayer was joyfully followed by the most popular before-meal prayer among the youth in Poland, “Bless, our Lord from the sky above,” began the second day of the Festival. The Youth then attended a very interesting conference about discovering ourselves led by Maciej Bała, PhD. The highlight of the day was the Eucharist when thirteen girls offered themselves to Mary in the Covenant of Love.
Team sports’ games outside allowed everyone to make new acquaintances and discover team spirit. In the evening, they attended a very moving play, The Wounded Shepherd, created by the Bydgoszcz friends. Eucharistic adoration followed with moments of silence for deep prayer and moments of thankful singing led by Sister Michalina. The night’s activities were as spontaneous as they had been twenty-four hours earlier.
Separate but together
Saturday morning was spent separately, girls in Świder and boys in Józefów, as young men and young women being different need to be formed differently. However this time they learned that they need each other as well, so as soon as the lunch has ended, the girls came to Józefów to attend Holy Mass. This day was also a Covenant day, and Kuba Orłowski joined the ranks of Mary’s special servants. His parents, who also belong to Schoenstatt Movement, were present as well. Therefore everyone could rejoice in being together for a few more hours.
At last back to Świder, everyone demonstrated their abilities in Schoenstatt’s version of “Got Talent”. The last day began with Morning Prayer and ended with Eucharist. All enjoyed one another as long as possible but, all in all, everyone went back home sad that the Festival had ended, but definitely happy to have been there. See you next year!
English edition: Melissa Janknegt, Elgin, USA
