Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) is an international association of young Catholics, born from the desire of the Virgin Mary, revealed on July 18, 1830, to Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris. Sister Catherine conveyed to Father Jean-Marie Aladel, CM, the mission entrusted by the Virgin: to found a confraternity of Sons and Daughters of Mary. A few months later, the Virgin tasked Sister Catherine with minting the Miraculous Medal, the symbol of the Association.

Between 1830 and 1847, Father Aladel established the first fifteen groups of the Daughters of Mary in Paris and its surroundings, with Benigna Hairón as the first member. These initial meetings were called “Marian Cenacles.”

The Superior General, Father Jean-Baptiste Etienne, obtained Pontifical Approval from Pope Pius IX on June 20, 1847, for the female branch and on July 19, 1850, for the male branch, under the name “Association of the Sons and Daughters of Mary Immaculate.” This approval entrusted the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity with the general direction of the Association, facilitating its expansion through the support of the Popes.

From 1848 to 1870, the Association expanded beyond France, reaching America, Asia, and Africa. On September 19, 1931, Pope Pius XI authorized the presence of the Association in all parishes with the permission of the Bishops, establishing its central headquarters at the Chapel of the Apparitions in Paris.

The canonization of Saint Catherine Labouré in 1947 by Pope Pius XII revitalized the spirit of the Association, preparing it for the Second Vatican Council. This Council inspired the renewal of the Association, uniting boys and girls under the name “Vincentian Marian Youth,” reinforcing its social and charitable commitment. Formation stages were established for different groups: Children, Adolescents, Youth, Young Adults, Adults, Vincentian Marian Families, Married Daughters of Mary, and Elderly Members, giving more responsibility to young people in the life of the Association.

In 1997, the Association celebrated a Forum of Leaders in Paris during the XII World Youth Day, reaffirming its international character. On February 2, 1999, the Holy See approved the new International Statutes and recognized the name change, maintaining the same identity. That same year, Father Robert Maloney, CM, moved the International Secretariat to Madrid.

In 2000, during the Jubilee of Youth, the first General Assembly was held in Rome. To date, four General Assemblies have been organized.

Our Identity

Youth: We are a community of faith within the Church, following a charism inspired by the Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent de Paul.

Marian: We take Mary as a model of life for her spirit of service, her “yes” to God, and her example of prayer. We strive to live her virtues: purity, humility, obedience, and charity, and we perform the Marian Consecration “To Jesus through Mary.”

Vincentian: Inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul, we dedicate ourselves to helping our neighbor and seeing in the poor the face of Jesus. We combine charity with evangelization, following the example of Saint Vincent.

Characteristics of the Association:

Ecclesial: Since 1847, we have enjoyed Pontifical Approval. We commit ourselves to follow Christ, working in communion with the Church and collaborating with other associations and apostolic movements.

Lay: Mainly composed of young laypeople, our reference is the International Associations of the Faithful.

Marian: Inspired by the Virgin Mary, we seek to live like her: a believing woman, a praying woman, Mother of the Church, servant of the poor, and universal mediator.

Vincentian: Born within the Family of Saint Vincent de Paul, our mission is to evangelize and serve the poor, making this characteristic a distinctive sign of our presence in the Church and the world.

In 2020, Vincentian Marian Youth had approximately 38,000 members on five continents.

Contact

• Phone: +63 917 623 6172 | +63 2 7217 6465
• Address: Marian Center Building, 959 San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
• Email: info@jmvinter.org
• Web: https://jmvinter.org

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