Category: YCW History
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Video: Melbourne YCW Origins 1941
For our next webinar on 14 April, historian Dr Val Noone presents his recent book, “Melbourne YCW Origins 1941” exploring the beginnings of the Young Christian Workers in that city.
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YCW and YCS martyrs beatified at Notre Dame
Twenty YCW and YCS leaders, chaplains and seminarians were beatified alongside a group of Scouts and Catholic Action chaplains at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, on Saturday 13 December 2025.
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Homily of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich
This is the homily of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, himself a former chaplain of the JEC and the JOC, at the beatification of the JOC martyrs, JEC members and scouts at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday, 13 December, 2025.
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YCW & YCS martyrs beatified at Notre Dame
The Diocese of Paris has announced that 50 martyrs of the faith including more than twenty YCW and YCS leaders will be beatified at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris on 13 December 2025.
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YCW Centenaries Brisbane & Adelaide
Cardijn-associated movements will celebrate the YCW centenary with a special Mass followed by lunch on Saturday 20 September 2025.
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YCW made Church relevant to people’s lives
“In the many interviews I have conducted, I have always been amazed by how many interviewees have told me they were involved in the YCW movement in their younger days,” writes Jenny Brinkworth.
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Book launch: Melbourne YCW Origins, 1941
You are invited to the launch of a new booklet about the Young Christian Workers in Melbourne.
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Peter Cox, driver of YCW Road Safety campaign
Former Melbourne YCW worker, Peter Cox (1948-2025), sadly passed away on 31 July 31 following a battle with cancer. He died peacefully surrounded by his three sons and his twin brother.
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YCW women in action: 100 years
YCW Holdings Melbourne is hosting a special luncheon event on Sunday 31 August 2025 to celebrate the contributions women have made to Australian YCW in the past 100 years!
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YCW transforms lives, workplaces
Our founder Joseph Cardijn began organising young workers in 1912: that was the year the first grassroots group was set up. But 1925 was the year the YCW was officially recognised, says IYCW president, Basma Louis.
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Cardijn & the social conscience of young people
Like Jesus, Cardijn too announced good news to young workers: he was founding the YCW, with them and opening up a new future for workers, said Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville.
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Centenary reaffirms YCW truth
Former Young Christian Workers (YCW) leaders from across Perth gathered on Pentecost Sunday 8 June to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the movement in Belgium in 1925.
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Melbourne YCW a pioneer and powerhouse
Thanking organisers and participants in the YCW Centenary Mass in Melbourne, David Moloney recalled the contribution of the YCW over the years.
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YCW’s role ‘formation for God’s Kingdom’: Arch. Comensoli
The see-judge-act method is “the driving force and inspiration of the YCW movement,” says Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli.
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YCW celebrates centenary in Brussels
Australian Young Christian Workers joined international YCW members, past and present, in Belgium to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the movement.
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See judge act ‘key for Pope Francis’: Belgian bishop
“The Church in Belgium was marked by the figure of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, founder of the Young Christian Workers,” observed Bosco d’Otreppe, journalist at La Libre. “Joseph Cardijn’s method was ‘see-judge-act’.”
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Sandhurst centenary celebration
Bishop Shane Mackinlay of Sandhurst will preside at a YCW Mass and Reunion to be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo at 11am on Sunday 13 July 2025. A gathering will follow at the Golden Square Hotel, Bendigo. Further info contact: Margaret. 0423 022 087 Tricia 0402 248 095 Mons. Frank 0427 315 633
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YCW & YCS and the Vietnam War
The April ACI webinar on 28 April 2025 with Claire Tran Thi LIen, Val Noone and Garry McDonald, will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
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Video: Cardijn, Pius XI and the YCW
This month’s ACI webinar with Stefan Gigacz on 11 March 2025 marks the centenary of Cardijn’s landmark first meeting with Pope Pius XI when the pontiff gave his enthusiastic approval to the emerging movement of the Young Christian Workers (YCW).
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YCW Centenary Mass & Reunion Melbourne
The Australian YCW, ACI and the Cardijn Community Australia are organising a mass and reunion in Melbourne on Saturday 24 May 2025 to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of the YCW in Belgium in 1925.
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Webinar: Brother Smiddy – This worker life
Shaped by a childhood living with his adoptive dad in a railway guard’s van; formed as a YCW leader; active for decades in the printing industry, union organiser and Labor Party man, Brian Smiddy became a valiant friend of working men and women, and confidant of a Labor Premier.
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Katharine Massam to head Uni of Divinity academic board
The University of Divinity has announced the appointment of Professor Katharine Massam as Chair of the Academic Board for a term of three years, commencing in January 2024, Vox reports.
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Video: Marc Sangnier, the Sillon and the YCW
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Marc Sangnier, founder of the French democratic movement, Le Sillon, which so influenced Cardijn and the early YCW.
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Webinar: Marc Sangnier, the Sillon and the YCW
ACI secretary, Stefan Gigacz, will present our April webinar marking the 150th anniversary of the birth on 3 April 1873 of Marc Sangnier, founder of the French democratic movement, Le Sillon, which had such a great influence on Cardijn and the YCW.