(ANS – Roma) – In this month of September our look at the situation in which young people in Europe are living –and in which consequently Salesians engaged in the Project for Europe are working - focuses on Poland: a country which reflects the opportunities and the contradictions of the whole continent.

With almost 40 million inhabitants, located in the centre of Europe, Poland represents a natural filter between two situations: the European and the Russian. Indissolubly linked to a strong Catholic tradition nevertheless it is also deeply marked by the overwhelming inroads being made by modernity and consumerism, on the ashes of the former political regime.

It is this complex varied situation that is described in detail by Fr Tomasz Kijowski in the “Service” section.

To accompany this analysis there is  the presentation of the experience over a long period of Fr Andrzej Szpak with the most difficult young people. His Marian pilgrimage with the young on the  margins might appear to be only one local feature; but nevertheless it does provide an insight into an approach to the situation of many aimless young people that could be valid for the millions of other young people in many countries which in a globalised  society experience similar conditions.

Published 03/09/2012