In eRko ( Slovakian Christian Children Communities Movement), during one of our programmes called Zaruky, we gather young people aged 17–24 on a year-long journey into Saint John Paul II’s teaching on love in the Theology of the Body. For more than five years, we have been preparing a special Prayer Space for them at the end of this weekend.

In this space, we invite them to encounter God in creative and symbolic ways. Since the entire program revolves around the Theology of the Body, we also strive to shape the Prayer Space in connection with this theme – offering prayer stations that reflect its message and help young people experience it more deeply. At different prayer stations, they can write a personal promise of purity, meditate on the icon of the Holy Trinity, or pray with biblical fragrances – spikenard oil, the scent of the bride, and myrrh, the fragrance of the bridegroom. One of the most touching moments is the washing of feet. This act becomes both a symbol of serving one another in love and a reminder that Christ himself washes and heals us, showing that our wounds do not define us. We also create a space dedicated to Saint John Paul II, where the participants can pray with his words, discover his writings, and see his life through photos and books. Many describe this as meeting him personally, like a friend pointing them closer to God.

This year, we witnessed something extraordinary. The young people remained in prayer for more than three hours, from late evening until after midnight. In silence and trust, they forgave, shared their joys and wounds, and allowed God’s love to reach them. For most of them, the Prayer Space becomes the highlight of the program. We see it as a place of silence, healing, and new beginnings – where God reveals His closeness in a way that touches hearts and inspires courage for the journey ahead.

This article was written by Nicolette Petrášová, president of eRko & manager for “Mladé srdce” project