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Originally known as the Children of Mary Immaculate, the Vincentian Marian Youth Movement is part of the Family of Saint Vincent de Paul, its origins in the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission, sharing the task of the evangelization of the poor. From the start, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac instilled in their sons and daughters a deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. The first Children of Mary Association was organized in response to an apparition of the Virgin Mary who appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré while she was a child. Organized into multiple groups in various parts of France between 1835 and 1847, their meetings were known as Marian Cenacles. The Superior General, Father Etiene, obtained Pontifical approbation from Pope Pius IX in 1847, and this approbation was extended to a male branch in 1850, and the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission was given permission to establish the society in congregations throughout the world. Between 1848 and 1870, the Children of Mary expanded from France to several other European countries and into Asia, the Philippines, Lebanon, Africa, Egypt, and several South American countries. In 1876, Pope Pius IX signed a Papal Brief allowing children who were not students of the schools of the Daughters of Charity to belong to the association. The faith and life of the members of the association were proven over time, particularly during the industrial era, as members became involved in labor unions and the workers' movement. When the Daughters of Charity in Mexico were expelled from their Houses and missions in 1875, the Children of Mary took charge of their service to the poor. As the association grew, a new structure arose. Younger members became known as Angels, and then Messengers. Age brackets were established: early childhood, preadolescents, adolescents, young adults, and adults, each age bracket with its own formation, requirements, and level of commitment.

 

 

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