By Karol Darmoros
The four-day Congress of Young Consecrated, held in Licheń, brought together more than 500 young consecrated men and women from across Poland. Prayer, conferences, and the sharing of testimonies marked the program.
“From the participants’ perspective, the most important aspect was the experience of community among consecrated persons. They could see that, even though there appears to be a crisis of vocations and some institutes have few new members, when looking more broadly at the Church in Poland they discover that there are other young people who also wish to follow Christ in the consecrated life,” Sister Marianna Tarkowska, CSFN, from the Congress Secretariat, told Vatican Radio – Vatican News.
Sister Marianna emphasized that the sense of communion also came through in sharing both joys and difficulties. “They realized that their experiences are very similar. This is important, because it shows them that they are not carrying certain burdens alone – many others are walking the same path,” she added.
A renewed vision of humanity
The theme of the Congress – “Ecce Homo” – opened a space for reflection on two dimensions. “We wished to touch upon two realities. First, to contemplate Christ who became man – this was the subject of the opening conference by Fr Tomasz Nowak, OP, on the humanity of Jesus. That became the point of departure for us to reflect on our own humanity, which consecration does not take away,” explained Sister Marianna.
The co-organizer of the Congress underlined that the daily life of consecrated persons is itself a place where humanity is shaped and deepened. “By referring to Jesus, we grow in likeness to Him,” she observed.
Humanity lived out in daily life
Sister Marianna Tarkowska noted that the fruits of the Congress must be integrated personally by each participant. “Everyone must find their own path, since we differ in personality and live in different communities. Above all, it is essential to seek the truth about oneself continually – that is fundamental. And to become increasingly authentic – in faith, in one’s relationship with God, and in one’s relationship with others. These are the concrete steps to translate the experience of the Congress into daily life,” said Sister Marianna.
More than half a thousand participants
This year’s Congress of Young Consecrated brought together 539 participants: 97 men from 18 institutes and 442 women religious from 62 congregations, along with members of secular institutes and consecrated virgins. Work on determining the date and location of the next Congress will begin next year. – Vatican News
