Our Mission
The John Paul II Project is a Catholic international non-profit organization on a mission to form young people for their vocations to build the civilization of love & truth. In a society threatened by the tyranny of relativism and the fragmentation of the human person, we provide immersive programs that shape our young people intellectually, spiritually, and humanly.
From university programs to pilgrimages, outdoor retreats, and events, we cultivate authentic experiences where transformation occurs naturally, respecting the mystery of each individual and their relationship with Christ.
Drawing from the inspiration of St. John Paul II, we challenge young people to sanctity, equip their reason, encourage their adventure, invite them into the community, and draw them into beauty.
We partner with institutions and individuals across continents to make our mission a reality.
Our Story
Pope John Paul II’s last World Youth Day was in Toronto, Canada, in 2002. During the evening prayer vigil, the pope consigned hope to the young people:
You are the men and women of tomorrow. The future is in your hearts and your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with him to build the civilization of love.
Fifteen years later, one of those young people at the prayer vigil that night, Corinne MacDonald, would take up that hope when she and her husband, Joe, founded the John Paul II Project.
In 2017, Joe and Corinne boarded a one-way flight to Krakow, Poland, with their toddler and newborn baby. They launched the first complete Catholic International Fellowship program, opening the doors to students from Catholic and secular universities in the summer of 2018. That same year, the adventure of running deeply impactful pilgrimages followed.
In 2020, programs in the USA were launched with outdoor retreats nationwide and an academic seminar in Washington, D.C.
In 2023, the John Paul II Project hosted a hugely successful global event for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, where young people entrusted their vocations to Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint John Paul II in a 4-day prayer vigil, venerating these saints’ relics.
Today, young people formed in our programs fulfill Pope Saint John Paul II’s hope as they respond to their vocations and build the civilization of love & truth.
Our Status
The John Paul II Project is a US-Based 501c3 not-for-profit organization with an official branch in Poland. We are fully insured and have the staff, volunteer base, network, knowledge, and passion to power high-impact experiences for young people today.
