Student groups currently include three age ranges: high school, college, and young families. MacDonald said each group was founded with the aim of "cultivating virtue and forming the whole person, in the example of Karol Wojtyla."
The JP2 Project offers two 10-day pilgrimage programs for high school students starting in 2018, one in April and the other in July. This particular group will explore Poland's culture, history, and key figures, and will also delve into dynamic discussions and daily community prayer, including Mass.
The application process for the high school program is now open to students.
In addition, the JP2 Program will also offer a Family Enrichment Program in July that MacDonald said will focus on "living out spousal love in light of JPII's teachings and is designed especially for families with small children."
College students aged 18-29 will also be involved with the JP2 Project through the three-and-a-half-month program, which offers up to six courses. Each course is the equivalent to about three credits in the U.S. academic system, and will be offered through a partnership with the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow.
College students from any university are welcome to apply, and the courses are mainly focused on theology, philosophy, history, art, culture studies and social sciences.
Outside of academics, all participants in the JP2 Program are also given the opportunity to connect with local families, learn the Polish language, serve the homeless in Krakow, attend daily Mass and adoration, and organize sporting activities.
In the future, the JP2 Project is open to expanding to other countries and also hopes to open a seminarian formation program that will focus on building up priests through the culture and spirituality found in Poland.
"Krakow was the place Karol Wojtyla was formed as a seminarian, and the results were spectacular," MacDonald noted.
"Furthermore, the location of Krakow, Poland has particular significance: it is the city that shaped young Karol Wojtyla and that he in turn shaped as a priest, archbishop and even as Pope John Paul II," she continued.
The program is already supported by Fr. Tomasz Szopa, the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Krakow, who MacDonald describes as the "spiritual father" to the program and who also serves on the board.
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Ultimately, MacDonald said that she hopes the JP2 Project will reach young people through the beauty of Poland and the intercession of Pope St. John Paul II.
"We desire that students of our programs become saints and build up a civilization of love and truth in our society today," MacDonald said.
"We believe that John Paul II shows them the way."
Donations to aid the JP2 Project can be made here.