This article was published in the fall 2026 issue of The Vincentian, the quarterly newsletter of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province.
Vincentian Marian Youth SEMO forms faith through service
For a week this June in Springfield, Missouri, 160 members of Vincentian Marian Youth of Southeast Missouri spread out across eight work sites in the city to perform home maintenance tasks for people in need, everything from gardening to painting and building decks, ramps, and sheds.
The annual event, which was supported this year by a Walking With the Poor grant from the Western Province, is the largest endeavor of the year by VMY SEMO; it is in its 25th year. It started in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, where the organization is based, and now travels to a different location each year.
Vincentian Marian Youth is a worldwide Catholic youth organization with chapters in 65 countries that traces its roots to St. Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of Charity in 19th century France who was instructed by Mary in an apparition to bring the youth to her son.
Sitting in the cafeteria of Springfield Catholic High School, which served as the base for this year’s project, VMY SEMO Executive Director Mike Giasi and Director of Operations Alina Korn look at each other and laugh when asked how they select a city each year.
“We don’t pick where we go,” Mike says. “God tells us.”
He explains that after the conclusion of the project each year, he and Alina begin contacting Catholic schools in communities within four hours of Ste. Genevieve. Schools serve as base with kitchens, showers, a chapel, areas to sleep, etc… When a willing school responds, they begin looking for homeowners in need through local aid organizations like Catholic Charities, which was the partner in Springfield.
“We go exactly where we are supposed to go,” Mike says. “We serve exactly who we are supposed to be serving. Everyone here is who is supposed to be here. It’s part of God’s plan. We do what we can with the tools we have, and the Holy Spirit fills in the gaps.”
Alina explained that the theme for this year was “The Road to Holiness.”
“We focus on the Daughters of Charity virtues and how they can help us on that road,” she said. “We are all on this road together. We keep heading in the right direction, and let’s get there together.”
After a day’s work, the members also have opportunities for faith formation in the evenings with activities and speakers, who share experiences from their faith journeys.
“This is the future of the Catholic Church and Vincentian family,” Mike said. “Our members can take that charism with them wherever they go. The beauty is to see them going out and being fruitful.”