In the territory of Central and Western Europe, and in the heart of Poland, the P. Agustín Gómez, L.C., accompanies a youth that moves between deep traditional roots and a growing openness to the contemporary world. This cultural contrast presents unique challenges and opportunities for vocational discernment and living the faith in today's context.
Living tradition and cultural tensions
Lto youth in Poland is living a moment of transition. Still marked by the spiritual heritage of St. John Paul II, it is still in transition.. Agustín Gómez, L.C. shares with us that a youthfulness is perceived divided between two poles: a more conservative side, with deep roots in the tradition of the Church, and a more liberal side, open to dialogue and new ways of living the faith. «It is a clash of cultures», describes the P. Agustín, although he prefers to talk about «dialogue», because in contrast there is richness.
This polarity is reflected in the spiritual life of young people. The more traditional, somewhat rigid or formal, retain a great desire for fidelity to Christ and the Church. The more open-minded seek a more interior faith, more connected with discernment and listening to the Holy Spirit. Both, according to Father Augustine, need each other: «We have a lot to learn from both». This is how it goes guiding a youth that seeks to balance tradition and modernity, always with hope and discernment as beacons on their spiritual path.
This challenging scenario does not prevent many young people from sincerely searching for God. The thirst for authenticity, for meaning and the desire to find their place in the Church and in the world are very much present, even as the forms change. And that is where the Regnum Christi enters with a clear proposal.
Christ at the center: a invitation that attracts
The charisma of the Regnum Christi has callThe attention of the jThe Polish youngsters precisely because of their christocentrism. «If there is something in which Christ is not at the center, they know that is not the place.», says Father Agustín. The activities, the meetings, the community life: all this revolves around around the person of Jesus, not as a concept, but as a living experience that transforms.
In addition, the Regnum Christi search boostsr a community «outbound». Young people are not formed to remain in internal structures, but to go out to meet the other, to dar testimony with joy and authenticity. «To have Christ at the center implies movement, mission, openness. It is not enough to believe: we must proclaim»Augustine says.
This dynamism is concretized in a pastoral ministry that seeks to accompany and form, but also to celebrate. Every step in the vocational journey, from a temporary collaboration to a marriage is a cause for shared joy: «Celebrate cada vocation is an essential part of our spirituality.», says Father Agustín:
«Et is very important to celebrate the vocation, the call at the end of each year, we celebrate those who go on mission to Albania, we celebrate those who go on mission to Albania, we celebrate those who go on mission to Albania, we celebrate those who go on mission to Albania. ECYD partners, We celebrate those who are leaving for the year of collaborator of Regnum Christi, We celebrated marriages, we also celebrated a new novice a year ago. legionary of Christ that God has given us, etc. Celebrate the option for Christ in the call to what He calls you to.».
The mission at home: a major challenge
Poland has been a land of great missions, but it is also a land of great challenges. A young Polish man, after participating in missions in Albania, confessed to Father Augustine: «Father, it is much easier to be a missionary there than here in Krakow.». His phrase reveals a profound truth: sometimes it is more difficult to be a witness to Christ in daily life, in front of those who know you, in an environment marked by labels.
The mission is not only in faraway places, but in the land itself. And this requires courage, clarity of identity and a deep interior life. For this reason, one of the great challenges for the P. Augustine for the youth of the Regnum Christi in Poland is to start from a strong identity: not to close oneself, but to project oneself. To know who I am, in order to be able to give myself to others:
«It's very important to have a clear sense of belonging, of identity and obviously that drives you outward to evangelize, to really be a strong support for the local Church.».
This is the key to authentic evangelization: young people who know they are loved and called, capable of going out of themselves without getting lost, of living their faith with meaning in the midst of a pluralistic and demanding world. And for that, they need accompaniment, community and vision.
A community that grows with hope
Today, the Regnum Christi in Poland is a growing reality. With groups from Friends NET that bring together between 30 and 50 children in two cities, several teams from ECYD and five groups of young people active, the apostolic presence is being consolidated. There is also an adult team in Spanish and three teams in Polish that collaborate with their local parishes and projects.
The religious community that the The accompaniment team is composed of four priests and one religious, committed to providing follow-up, formation and constant motivation. It is not just a matter of organizing activities, but of forming missionary disciples. Accompanying the lives of young people in the midst of the tension between tradition and change is not easy. But the P. Agustín lives it with hope: «What I see is a youth willing to give everything for Christ. Even if the road is difficult, when Christ is at the center, it is worth it.».
