Father Jerzy Popiełuszko is one of the most tragic figures of recent decades in Polish history, who paid the ultimate price for his faithfulness to the truth. Although more than 40 years have passed since the tragic events of October 1984, the memory of Father Jerzy is still alive. Not only older people remember him, but also young people who are rediscovering the figure of Father Jerzy.
Who are the “Youth of Father Jerzy”?
This is a nationwide group of high school and university students who learn about the life of Father Jerzy and try to imitate him. One of the group’s missions is to tell their peers about Father Jerzy, his history, and his legacy.
From January 16 to 20, 2026, young people from Father Jerzy’s group will be in the United States, where, during meetings with youth from Polish diaspora schools in New Jersey and New York, they will talk about Poland in the 1980s, Solidarity, martial law, and above all, about the inspiring story of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, who fought for the highest Polish values without violence. Polish diaspora students will learn about Father Jerzy’s teachings and hear a living testimony from Polish youth about the priest who became an authority, friend, and life guide for them in a world of moral relativism.
Marek Popiełuszko, Father Jerzy’s nephew, and Paweł Kęska, theologian, historian, journalist, manager of the Father Jerzy Popiełuszko Museum in Warsaw, organizer of educational projects for youth, researcher of Father Popiełuszko’s history, and author of books about him, will also participate in the meetings.
The inter-school meeting with the “Youth of Father Jerzy” for young people in New York will take place on Friday, January 16, at 6:00 pm, at St. Cyril and Methodius Polish School at 150 Dupont Street, Brooklyn, NY.
We earnestly ask educators, teachers, and parents for help in organizing and bringing students to the meeting with their peers from Poland.
An open meeting for adults will take place on Saturday, January 17, after Holy Mass at 7:00 pm, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint, New York, at 607 Humboldt Street, Brooklyn, NY.
