Young Adults Serving
This is the start of a section devoted to cataloging and stimulating young adults who are serving the poor and the marginalized in the spirit of Vincent and Louise.
Young Adult Initiatives
Heart of Jesus - Vincent and Louise
Vincentian Centers for Formation
- The international religious family of Saint Vincent De Paul and regional ministries from the USA, have joined together to offer cutting-edge, challenging, joy-filled experiences for Youth and Young Adults, Youth Ministers, and all who share a commitment to building the reign of God in the world of the economically poor. We are a "multi-intercultural" family, that leverages talent and diversity of culture in the name of Christ our Lord!
Vincentian Initiative to Advance Leadership (V.I.T.A.L.) St. John's University, Jamaica, New York
- The goal of this program is to reflect on and develop personal and spiritual values, the Vincentian charism, and service. Students participating in V.I.T.A.L. will have the opportunity to tap their own potential and deepen personal insight. This multi-dimensional program encourages collaboration with academics, student services, alumni, faculty, staff and administration. VITAL is offered at each year level.
Vincentian Service Corps
- The Vincentian Service Corps is a faith-based service organization. Our members serve in Vincentian ministries, such as healthcare, social services, and many schools and educational programs to improve the lives of those in need.
Vincentian Marian Youth Center
- Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) is an International association of young people that began in 1830 when the Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine Laboure, a young woman studying to be a Daughter of Charity. Mary asked (in addition to the Miraculous Medal) that young people be organized in her name and that “graces would be bestowed upon them.” Today this group of young people span the globe in 40 countries with over 200,000 members! The purpose is to energize your faith by connecting you more closely to Jesus Christ and each other. With Mary as our guide and St. Vincent de Paul as our inspiration, we’re taking to heart Jesus’ message in the gospel of Luke: “He has sent me” (Lk4)!
Vincentian Youth Pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Cologne
- Be drawn into the inspired life of St Vincent from his early beginnings in Dax to his ministry years in Foleville and Paris. Experience the sacred shrines and stunning European cities rich in stories, culture and faith encounters. What an awesome preparation for our week in Cologne, Germany with the youth of the world for an unforgettable WYD experience! Afterwards enjoy a perfect end to our journey at our retreat stay in a German Castle.
Vincentian Outreach Young Adults VOYA
- VOYA stands for Vincentian Outreach Young Adults. We are a group of young adults energized by the Vincentian charism and wanting to share it with others. (This is not to be confused with another group using the same initials for Voice of Youth Advocates)
Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
- We are a community of faith and action that responds to the Gospel call in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. We are young men and women, ages 22-30, who serve Denver's poor, elderly, homeless, developmentally disabled and troubled youth. Our year-long program offers an opportunity for spiritual, emotional, professional growth, and a way of discerning and living one's Christian vocation.
Gateway Vincentian Volunteers
- As Gateway Vincentian Volunteers you will work a forty-hour week at one of a variety of worksites. Each worksite provides the opportunity to work directly with the poor and underserved. We will make every attempt to place you in a worksite that meets your needs and goals. You will have the chance to interview with potential worksite supervisors and have input in the final decision.
Junior Ladies of Charity
- Junior Ladies of Charity are young women of Grammar, High School and College age who are engaged in Christian Service on behalf of the Association of the Ladies of Charity.
World Youth Day Participation
Photo Gallery of Vincentian Youth at Cologne (Text in Spanish)
Australian Vincentian Young Adults at World Youth Day - 2005
Report and Photos from St. John's University Students Participating in World Youth Day 2005 - Cologne
Reflections posted on the SJU site
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Representatives from St. John’s University at the Vincentian Festival at St. Margaret’s in Dusseldorf (top row, left to right): Therese Wycklendt, John Fitzgerald, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Tori Migliore, Angela DiLalla, Paula Migliore, Melissa Gibilaro (bottom row, left to right): Abby Furness, Bethany Housma
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Representatives from St. John’s University and the Eastern Province of the Vincentians at Catechesis (bottom row, left to right): Katie Crump, Barbara Purnell, Neree Hannays, Von Marie Santos, Brandon Rembert, Paula Migliore (top row, left to right): Martha Isabel Becerra, John Fitzgerald, Abby Furness, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Tori Migliore, Angela DiLalla, Bethany Housman, Therese Wycklendt
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Paula Migliore, Angela DiLalla, and Tori Migliore (Campus Ministry) with Fr. Greg Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission
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Paula Migliore, Abby Furness, Therese Wycklendt, and John Fitzgerald participating in the Candlelight Vigil
DESCRIPTION
Fifteen representatives from St. John’s University and the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission attended the 20th World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany from Aug. 14-22, 2005. The pilgrimage included a Welcome Ceremony with Pope Benedict XVI along the Rhein River, an Opening Mass with Cardinal Meisner of Cologne, a visit to the Cathedral in Cologne, and attendance at Catechesis where testimonies and witnessing to faith were given. Traveling with the Diocese of Brooklyn, the group had an opportunity to celebrate Mass with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. The group also took part in a Vincentian Festival in Dusseldorf, where they encountered people from the worldwide Vincentian family and had the special opportunity to meet and speak with Fr. Gregory Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. Finally, the week culminated in a pilgrimage to Marienfeld for an overnight vigil and Mass with the Pope where 1.2 million people were gathered from around the world.
QUOTES
Opening Mass – Tues. Aug. 16, 2005 “I felt God the second we began walking up to the stadium filled with people from all over the world to worship Him.” ~Bethany Housman, Senior, St. John’s University, Staten Island Campus
“To celebrate the Eucharist with a soccer stadium full of people took my breath away. The joy in the stadium was explosive. I realized that God transcends our human language and flows through the love we have for Him which we translate into love we have for each other.” ~Abby Furness, Junior, St. John’s University, Queens Campus
“Walking into the stadium and seeing a rainbow of colors, people, and flags, I could never have imagined so many people moved in the spirit of the Lord.” ~Neree Hannays, St. John the Baptist Parish, Brooklyn, NY
Vincentian Festival – Fri. Aug. 19, 2005 “We heard testimonies from individuals which allowed me to reflect on my Vincentian charism. The celebration was a great experience as we witnessed different culture’s practices and celebrated as one big family, united in Christ and St. Vincent.” ~John Fitzgerald, Senior, St. John’s University, Queens Campus
Overnight Pilgrimage – Sat. & Sun. Aug. 20-21, 2005 “Pope Benedict gave his homily in numerous languages, but still the message was the same for everyone. He encouraged the youth to embrace our faith because we are the faces of the Church and its future. Having the opportunity to receive Holy Communion that was consecrated by our Our Holy Father is an experience that I will always remember. The sound of a million people singing and waving their candles in the air was breathtaking. At this point, I realized that we were all there for one reason, to celebrate our faith.” ~Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Senior, St. John’s University, Staten Island Campus
“Our sacrifice during this overnight pilgrimage was definitely nothing in comparison to what Jesus lived and did for us all.” ~Von Marie Santos, Vincentian parish, Philadelphia, PA
“We were so many races and nations standing together – I could see that the Church was most undeniably universal. I could feel that we were the body of Christ, and so, when I took the consecrated bread, which is the Body of Christ, I was filled with gratitude. I am so happy to have been a part of this whole experience of World Youth Day.” ~Barbara Purnell, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Philadelphia, PA
“’We have come to worship Him’ will not only remain the theme for this journey, but will remain true to my heart and life forever.” ~John Fitzgerald, Senior, St. John’s University, Queens Campus
“Spending time with people from different cultures and listening to different languages, I realized that all of us are here for just one reason – our love of God.” ~Martha I. Becerra, Vincentian parish, Philadelphia, PA
CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS
Group 0572 – 14 representatives from St. John’s University and the Eastern Province of the Vincentians (bottom row, left to right): Abby Furness, Martha Isabel Becerra, Von Marie Santos, John Fitzgerald, Neree Hannays, Bethany Housman, Therese Wycklendt (top row, left to right): Brandon Rembert, Katie Crump, Barbara Purnell, Tori Migliore, Angela DiLalla, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Paula Migliore
Opening Mass 8-16-05 0658 – 5 St. John’s University students at Opening Mass in stadium in Cologne (left to right): Therese Wycklendt, John Fitzgerald, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Bethany Housman, Abby Furness 0665 – Opening Mass at RheinEnergie Stadium in Cologne 0677 – representatives from St. John’s University following Opening Mass (bottom row, left to right): Tori Migliore, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Bethany Housman (top row, left to right): Angela DiLalla, Paula Migliore, Therese Wycklendt, John Fitzgerald, Abby Furness
Cathedral 8-17-05 0743 – Pilgrimage from Cathedral in Cologne walking across Rhein River 0766 – St. John’s University students from Queens Campus (left to right): Therese Wycklendt, Abby Furness, John Fitzgerald 0767 – Cathedral in Cologne, Germany overlooking Rhein River
Mass with Bishop 8-18-05 0807 – Paula Migliore (Campus Ministry) reading at Mass with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
Catechesis 8-18-05 0823 – John Fitzgerald and Abby Furness actively participating in Catechesis 0833 – Catechesis 0834 – representatives from St. John’s University and the Eastern Province of the Vincentians at Catechesis (bottom row, left to right): Katie Crump, Barbara Purnell, Neree Hannays, Von Marie Santos, Brandon Rembert, Paula Migliore (top row, left to right): Martha Isabel Becerra, John Fitzgerald, Abby Furness, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Tori Migliore, Angela DiLalla, Bethany Housman, Therese Wycklendt
Welcome Ceremony 8-18-05 0887 – Pope Benedict XVI welcoming the pilgrims to World Youth Day
Vincentian Festival 8-19-05 0955 – gathering of the worldwide Vincentian family at St. Margaret’s in Dusseldorf, Germany 0964 – in St. Margaret’s in Dusseldorf for Vincentian gathering 0966 – representatives from St. John’s University at the Vincentian Festival at St. Margaret’s in Dusseldorf (top row, left to right): Therese Wycklendt, John Fitzgerald, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Tori Migliore, Angela DiLalla, Paula Migliore, Melissa Gibilaro (bottom row, left to right): Abby Furness, Bethany Housman 0968 – Paula Migliore, Angela DiLalla, and Tori Migliore (Campus Ministry) with Fr. Greg Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission 0969 – students speaking with Fr. Greg Gay
Overnight Pilgrimage 8-20,21-05 0986 – 15 representatives from St. John’s University and the Eastern Province of the Vincentians as they prepare to leave for the overnight pilgrimage to Marienfeld 1005 – Angela DiLalla, Abby Furness, and Therese Wycklendt walking on the way to Marienfeld 1020 – Angela DiLalla and the line of pilgrims on their way to Marienfeld 1049 – Kerri-Ann Dishuk and Bethany Housman – St. John’s University Staten Island students - camping out in Marienfeld for the overnight vigil and Mass with the Pope 1070 – Bethany Housman reflecting 1072 – Paula Migliore, Angela DiLalla, and Tori Migliore (Campus Ministry) – camping out in Marienfeld for the overnight vigil and Mass with the Pope 1088 – St. John’s University students camping out in Marienfeld for the overnight vigil and Mass with the Pope (left to right): John Fitzgerald, Kerri-Ann Dishuk, Therese Wycklendt, Bethany Housman, Abby Furness 1089 – representatives from Vincentian parishes in Philadelphia and Brooklyn (left to right): Neree Hannays, Martha Isabel Becerra, Barbara Purnell, Von Marie Santos, Brandon Rembert, Katie Crump 1123 – lighting candles for the vigil service 1127 – Paula Migliore, Abby Furness, Therese Wycklendt, and John Fitzgerald participating in the Candlelight Vigil 1162 – Sleeping in Marienfeld! 1176 – Mass with the Pope 1217 – Exodus of 1.2 million pilgrims leaving Marienfeld
Signs 0684, 0982, 1238 – self explanatory!
Vincentian Leadership and Youth
- ... in the last 20 years interest has grown enormously among the Superior Generals for this Association that the Virgin Mary and the Church have given to the care of the sons and daughters of St. Vincent. This can be noted already during the last period of the generalship of Fr. Richard Mc Cullen (1986-1992) in which the youth became one of his growing concerns.
- Hay Vincentian Leadership Project De Paul University
Historical Perspectives on Vincentian Youth
- Blessed Frederic Ozanam was a 20 year old University of Sorbonne stuent when he organized the first group of students as a Confraternity of Charity.
- Catherine Harkins was 23 year old Irish immigrant when she heard a call to organize what was to become the Ladies of Charity USA.
== External Links== Vincentian Young Adults and World Youth Day 2005
