From KCYM's historic beginning to the vibrant journey of SMYM Kanjirappally.
Explore Timeline"Organizing youth is about coordinating human potentials on Gospel values to make them effective agents of change."
The history of organized Catholic youth activities in Kerala is a legacy of spiritual depth, active leadership, and societal transformation. In the late 1960s, dioceses across Kerala felt the urge to organize Catholic youth to channel their youthfulness for the betterment of the Church and society.
This path was profoundly shaped by the vision inspired by the Second Vatican Council and Pope Paul VI's call to empower young people to be active participants in the mission of the Church.
Over decades, this movement nurtured youth leadership, instilled a deep sense of faith, drove impactful community service, enabled modern evangelization, and built strong commitment toward social responsibility across generations of young believers.
Trace the major milestones and structural evolution of the movement.
Dioceses in Kerala begin organizing Catholic youth movements following the post-Vatican II call to action. These initial diocesan setups served as the seedbeds for a united state-level movement.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) establishes the Youth Commission, creating the official bridge to coordinate and integrate the youth ministries across different dioceses in Kerala.
The youth movement originally functioned under the name Yuvaddepthy - KCYM (Kerala Catholic Youth Movement), active in the Diocese of Kanjirapally since 1978 to guide and inspire local Catholic youth.
To promote peace and social harmony during the World Peace Year, KCYM organises four major state-wide peace rallies, proudly starting from Kanjirapally and moving through Kollam, Kodungalloor, and Thrissur.
Following initiatives by the Syro-Malabar Laity Commission to unify global youth ministries, groundwork begins for a single global structure.
The official, unified Syro-Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) structure is officially launched on August 30, 2014, with approval from the Synod of Bishops.
SMYM Kanjirappally actively serves over 20,000 young people across 148 parishes and 12 Foranes in Kottayam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts, leading activities like anti-drug workshops, de-addiction hubs, and humanitarian flood relief.
"The Integral Development of the Catholic Youth and the Total Liberation of Human Society in accordance with the Christian values."
Deepening spiritual values and Christian roots in young hearts.
Proclaiming Christ through living witness and active charity.
Nurturing young leaders to guide both the Church and society.
Empowering potentials to trigger structural and cultural reforms.
Reaching out to the least, last, and lost in the community.
Promoting truth, equality, and righteousness in the public sphere.
Formulating a liberative culture that protects human dignity.
Fostering unity and harmony across castes, creeds, and beliefs.
KCYM operates as a democratic federation of over 30 dioceses of Kerala, where each diocese has equal rights in the senate. Membership is open to youth between the age of 15 and 35 who commit to Catholic values.
The structure originates at the parish level under the patronage of the local bishop, flowing to the top through representative democratic processes.
KCYM is the official state-level federation under the KCBC Youth Commission. SMYM is the youth movement of the Syro-Malabar Church. SMYM Kanjirappally operates as the diocesan youth ministry within this shared structure.
Senate & Syndicate Federation
Diocesan Level under local Bishop
Forane Representative Body
Parish Executive Council
Catholic Youth (Ages 15-35)
Global Members
Diocesan Youth
Parishes
Foranes
Years of Legacy
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