The purpose of the Foundation Home in Lublin is to prepare intellectual leaders for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It does this through scholarship assistance given to students attending the Catholic University of Lublin in Poland. The John Paul II Foundation covers all the costs of education while in Poland and provides spiritual care so that intellectual progress is paralleled by a growth in faith and a strengthening of their lives as Christians. To a great degree, the Home was made possible by a gift of the Connelly Foundation in Philadelphia, USA. The John Paul II Foundation provides scholarships to 157 students from 10 countries—most of them of Polish background. The social and political changes that have occurred in this part of Europe make necessary an intellectual and spiritual formation of these students so that they can become the new leaders in their countries. The students reside in the John Paul II Foundation Home, which also serves as a meeting place for the students and their friends who are far away from their homes. By 2004, 292 students have completed their courses of study, received their academic degrees, and returned home to work. Of these 3 are full professors and 31 have their doctorates. After completing their studies, they take positions with the Church (diocesan curias, seminaries, catechetical institutes, family counseling centers, Catholic media) or with lay organizations (schools, training centers, psychological services, Polish consulates, and business ventures).
The continuing financial help and support of the John Paul II Foundation from around the world makes possible all of this work. The Foundation hopes to inaugurate a special fund that would serve this purpose.
