Abstract

This article aims at describing the reality where young Poles live and grow up, as well as their ways of coping with the challenges coming from both modern times and the changes in their own home country, Europe and the whole world. Generally speaking, we reflect upon the ways of leading the youth through adulthood. One opportunity is represented by the meetings organised by youth pastoral centres, managed by female and male congregations, as well as by Institutes of consecrated life. In this article, the results of the research carried out in 13 youth pastoral centres in the year 2007/2008 are presented. Just the variable related to the search for the meaning of life is dealt with in more detail, as soon as the very first existential questions arise, such as “Who am I?”, “Why am I living?”, “What is the sense of the things I do?”, “Where is my place in the world?” It is necessary to lead young people through this complex process of growing up, providing support, backing and presence. On the other hand, the following question arises: “to what extent can we intervene in the person’s development and in the shaping of their personality through contents and values, influencing their way of perceiving the world and themselves?” The analysis of this research can serve as a starting point in order to reflect on what is to be elaborated in detail, what is to be changed, what is to be highlighted, so that the meetings with the youth be more productive and the suggestions become a reference in the search for better solutions.