Who are we?
The essence of the organization
The mission of Ateitininkai as a youth education organization is to educate young people with a patriotic spirit, sensitive hearts, strong wills, and bright minds, guided by a Catholic worldview, to actively and creatively engage in religious, social, cultural, intellectual, and civic activities.
The Ateitininkai organization:
Is a movement of young people with a strong national and Catholic identity, capable of actively and creatively expressing themselves in various areas of life and creativity, which has a significant and positive influence on contemporary Lithuanian youth culture. The Ateitininkai Organization should become an attractive and realistic alternative to contemporary postmodern youth culture, which lacks clear values, individualism, and value relativism.
It should be an accessible and attractive form of activity and self-development for all young people who value clear and firm values, develop their intellectual, creative, and organizational abilities, deepen their worldview, and actively serve the common good of society in various social, social, cultural, religious, political, and international youth activities.
Well-known and accessible in both large Lithuanian cities and towns, and rural areas, and enables local youth to actively participate in the activities of existing branches of the organization or to independently establish new Ateitininkai activity centers, receiving all the necessary support and assistance from the nearest Ateitininkai activity centers.
A new and influential center for the formation of contemporary Lithuanian youth culture, whose positive influence encompasses various segments of Lithuanian youth and ultimately has a positive impact on the values and attitudes of society as a whole.
Penki ATEITININKŲ principai
Katalikiškumas. Ateitininkas turi būti geras katalikas, turi stengtis gyventi taip, kaip Bažnyčia moko.
Tautiškumas. Ateitininkas turi būti geru lietuviu. Jis turi ne tik mylėti Lietuvą, bet kalbėti lietuviškai, pažinti Lietuvos istoriją ir dirbti dėl Lietuvos.
Šeimyniškumas. Ateitininkas turi būti geras šeimos narys. Jis turi gerbti savo tėvus, turi stengtis jų klausyti, jiems padėti. Jis turi mylėti savo brolius ir seseris.
Visuomeniškumas. Ateitininkas turi suprasti, kad jis yra visuomenės narys. Jis turi jausti atsakomybę už kitus, žiūrėti visų bendro gėrio, ir turi gerbti kitų teises ir laisvę.
Inteligentiškumas. Ateitininkas turi siekti aukštų idealų. Jis turi mokytis, turi skaityti, domėtis daugeliu dalykų. Jis turi stengtis išugdyti stiprų charakterį.
Symbolism
The emblem of the Future Workers Federation
The emblem of the Future Workers was established by the Palanga reorganization conference, and artistically executed by the artist A. Tamošaitis. The tulip symbolizes spiritual youth. Its five petals commemorate the five principles of the Future Workers. The cross is an indicator of the main directions of life: the horizontal line represents our natural path, and the vertical line represents the supernatural. The three rays that emanate from the sun and form the cross represent the three divine virtues - faith, hope and love. The sun in the center of the cross symbolizes the eternal light and the source of truth, God. The hemisphere of the Earth is the area of our activity, the world. The Gediminas Pillars, imprinted in the hemisphere of the Earth, are the special place of our activity - our own land, nation, homeland.
The emblem is attached to the garment on the left side of the chest.
The AF structure includes independently operating units - the Young Futures Union (JAS), the Student Futures Union (MAS), the Student Futures Union (SAS), the Futures Old Friends Union (ASS). Each union has its own symbolism - badges and ribbons of different colors (ASS - only badges). The ribbon, tied over the shoulder, resembles a sword belt, so the ribbon reminds of the obligation to be brave and honorable. The ribbon adorns the member's chest - and this means that he must serve his ideals with all his heart. SAS corporations also have caps and ribbons of a specific color. The cap is a head ornament - the head that directs the member's actions and is responsible for them.
The golden color characteristic of the badges of all unions means ideal durability and hopeful victory.
3 fundamental questions
Observing the threatening challenges of his time, Pranas Dovydaitis, the father of the Ateitininkai, saw the idea of defending Christ as the "idea of the future" that should be represented by a new Catholic youth movement. He prepared to convey this idea in his first public declaration in the magazine Ateitis (Future). This declaration took the form of three fundamental questions and caused a revolution in the society of that time, bringing together a large number of intellectuals who called themselves Ateitininkai and sought to renew everything in Christ. More than a hundred years later, Pranas Dovydaitis' appeal remains highly relevant – it stirs the heart and calls for the renewal of society.