World Youth Days in Krakow as a challenge for the pastoral ministry of youth in Poland

Abstract

The World Youth Day celebrated in Krakow, the Jubilee of Mercy and the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland were undoubtedly the most important religious events of the last decade. These events were a chance for the Church to awaken the pastoral care of young Poles. The aim of this study is to show the World Youth Day as a kind of foundation for contemporary youth pastoral care. To achieve the intended goal, it seemed necessary to describe the participants of this pastoral event first and foremost. Next, a closer look at young people participating in the World Youth Day was taken, and then new forms of reaching young people were pointed considering the initiatives undertaken as part of preparations for the World Youth Day in Krakow.