Rich insights into the past, present and future of Vincentian Marian Youth from the St. Louis Review
“We were just wanting a youth ministry, something — with the support of a priest and the laity — just to help the kids in the area,” said the member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Perryville. It was a time when youth groups were just starting to take off in the parishes and the Catholic schools. They were looking for something that would help youth ministry to become more embraced and supported by the Church.
By the fall of 2003, the group’s prayers were answered. Vincentian Marian Youth — an international youth association founded by the Vincentians in the 19th century — was introduced as a way to provide outreach to youth groups in southeast Missouri. The goal wasn’t simply to provide activities for the teens, but to assist existing youth groups and empower teens with leadership skills through a life of service to others through Christ.
Vincentian Father Ron Hoye, who was associate pastor at St. Vincent at the time, was the one who suggested Vincentian Marian Youth, which was founded in France in 1830. The ministry originally was called the Association of the Children of Mary, after the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and asked her to bring together young people in her name. The ministry eventually became known as Vincentian Marian Youth. Ten years later, the group in southeast Missouri is clearly thriving. In the past decade, more than 1,000 teens have gone on VMY-sponsored mission trips, and each year draws about 50 to 75 actively participating high school teens for monthly Masses at the Perryville shrine and other activities.
Read further in the
FAMVIN resources related to Vincentian Marian Youth – http://tinyurl.com/ay2os6c
Letter of Superior General on Vincentian Marian Youth
International website of Vincentian Marian Youth
Tags: Featured, Marian Youth, St. Louis, Superior General, Vincentian
