In 1940s Poland, vicious Nazi persecution created an immense shortage of priests. Youth ministry, typically led by priests at the time, was in danger of collapsing.

Jan Tyranowski, a local tailor, stepped up to fill in this gap at his parish in Krakow.

A few years earlier, Jan’s faith life ignited after hearing in a homily, “It’s not difficult to be a saint.” He began to consistently pray, attend daily Mass and read spiritual classics. This interior growth overflowed into mission in Jan’s youth ministry.

As a volunteer, he created small groups of young men to pray the Rosary together. Among them was a young Karol Wojtyla.

Jan personally mentored Karol, helping him overcome misunderstandings about Mary. Through Jan’s tutelage, Karol discovered his vocation to the priesthood.

Karol, more commonly known as Pope St. John Paul II, wrote this of the man who changed his life:

“He was one of those unknown saints... In his words, in his spirituality and in the example of a life given to God alone, he represented a new world that I did not yet know. I saw the beauty of a soul opened up by grace.”

Just like how Venerable Jan Tyranowski changed the life of Karol, ordinary laypeople like you and me can mentor the next generation of leaders, priests and saints.

You do not have to be perfect, know in-depth theology or even be young to reach them. All God needs is your “yes” — your commitment to follow Jesus and invest more deeply in teens.  

It can be as simple as leading an hour-long small group, as I do every other week for high school guys at St. Michael’s in Maple Grove. Perhaps it is volunteering at your local youth group or starting one from scratch.

If you feel God is calling you to volunteer or start youth ministry at your parish, I would love to connect and support you.

Contact Taylor at tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org or 989-797-6639 for help, training and resources. Join our next Youth Ministry Leader Zoom meeting on April 24 at 7 p.m.