What is the Eucharistic Youth Movement?
The EYM is the youth branch of the Apostleship of Prayer sponsored by the Society of Jesus. The Apostleship of Prayer is a worldwide association of Catholics who strive to make their ordinary, daily lives spiritually effective. Using a Daily or Morning Offering, they offer every moment of their day—all their prayers, works, joys, and sufferings—to God through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In this way they participate more fully and consciously in Jesus’ mission to save all people.

When did the EYM begin?
The Apostleship of Prayer began in 1844 and the EYM began during World War I when young people started a prayer crusade for peace. At that time, until 1960, it was called the “Eucharistic Crusade.” Blessed Pope John XXIII, who had been a nuncio in Turkey, gave the EYM its present name. The EYM has been active around the world but unfortunately has, for the most part, died out in the USA. In Vietnam it was very strong and refugees brought the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement with them.

Why try to revive the EYM?
Young people today have been called the “John Paul II Generation.” World Youth Days have revealed the great love they have for the Holy Father. Many young people are tired of the cynicism of the post-modern world. They share the hope and idealism of Pope John Paul II. They want to give themselves to something bigger than themselves. They want to make a difference in the world and are willing to sacrifice to do that. They have seen the failure of political and social movements and see in the Catholic Church the answer to the world’s problems. They are looking for a solid spirituality, grounded in the Eucharist, which will help guide them. We hope the EYM will provide a fraternal format and outward structure for young adults. They want a faith community to support their common concerns as they live out the “new evangelization.”

How does all that fit into the EYM and the AoP?
The Apostleship of Prayer is a tried-and-true method of spirituality. Through the Morning Offering and Evening Review members become more aware of the importance of every moment of their lives. They strive to live Eucharistic lives, participating as much as possible in daily Mass and in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, all the while uniting their lives to the ultimate Sacrifice of Jesus. Members are aware of and pray for the two special monthly intentions of the Holy Father.

What does the Holy Father think of the AoP?
In 1985 he called the AoP “a precious treasure from the Pope’s heart and the Heart of Christ.” And in 1994 he declared how important the AoP is to the “new evangelization:”
"As the dawn of the third millennium approaches a world in which many sectors have become quite pagan, it is obvious how urgent it is for members of the Apostleship of Prayer to be involved in the service of the new evangelization. For Christ has come to preach the Good News to the poor, and the Apostleship of Prayer has always considered itself a form of popular piety for the masses. As such it has performed an important service during the past hundred and fifty years by giving new life to people’s awareness of how valuable their lives are to God for the building up of His Kingdom."

What makes the EYM different from other youth organizations that are devoted to the Eucharist?
One difference is the emphasis that the AoP places on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Pierced Heart of Jesus, from which flowed water and blood (see John 19:34), is the source of eternal life, the sacramental life of the Church, Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The Heart of Jesus, broken open on the Cross, is the great sign of the depths of God's love. Devotion to this Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is part of a venerable tradition which helps one grow in the knowledge of the love of God. This knowledge in turn inspires one to live one’s life in imitation of the sacrificial love of the Son of God. And this, ultimately, is the end for which every person is created—holiness attained through loving communion with God and neighbor.

Practically speaking, how does the EYM work?
We are very much in the beginning stages of reviving the EYM. Individuals commit themselves to the spiritual program of the AoP and EYM: praying the Morning Offering and Evening Review every day, striving to participate in daily Mass and weekly adoration, promoting prayer for the Holy Father’s monthly intentions, and growing in their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our hope is that individuals who share this spirituality will come together to form groups on college and high school campuses.

What are some of the EYM’s plans for the future?
Our goal is to broaden EYM through the formation of groups around the country.