Article 1: Origin and Name
The Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement originally was called Nghĩa Binh Thánh Thể, and was a branch of the Apostolate Prayer established for the youth by Fr. Bessières, S.J. in 1915 in France in the spirit of the Decree Quam Singulari issued by Pope Pius X, which encouraged and allowed for young people to receive communion at an early age. The four traditional pillars of Nghĩa Binh Thánh Thể was: Prayer and Apostolic Work (extracted from the Apostolate Prayer), Eucharist (regular reception of communion according to the decree of Pope Pius X), and Sacrifice (based on the spirit of the Đạo Binh Thánh Giá “crusader”, sacrifice for the sake of the Church).
Nghĩa Binh Thánh Thể Việt Nam was established by the Order of St. Sulpice Monastery in 1929 at the Seminary administered by the E1cole Puginier Brothers in Hà Nội, with traditional religious purposes. After a period development in activities throughout the dioceses, Nghĩa Binh Thánh Thể issued a set of Unified Rules in 1964, in which the name was changed to Eucharistic Youth Movement of Việt Nam, emphasizing the purpose of youth education. In the unceasing progress of the movement and to respond to the increasing need for more effective youth education, a new set of Rules for the Eucharistic Youth Movement of Việt Nam was born, approved by the Bishops Conference of Việt Nam in January 1971.
After 1975, the Eucharistic Youth Movement of Việt Nam sprung up in miraculous ways in Vietnamese Catholic communities in many countries throughout the world including: France, Germany, the United States, Norway, Australia… Presently in the United States and Canada, the movement is called: the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement in the United States (VEYM-USA) and in Canada (VEYM-CAN) respectively.
Article 2: Purpose
The Eucharistic Youth Movement has two general purposes:
(2.1) To form young people to become fulfilled individuals and ideal Christians.
(2.2) Organize and guide young people to bear witnessese to the Good News of Jesus Christ and contribute in building the Church and society.
Article 3: Foundation
The Eucharistic Youth Movement apply the words of God in the Scriptures and the teaching “Magisterium” of the Catholic Church as the foundation for educating and guiding the youth in all its activities.
Article 4: Ideal
Eucharistic Youth Movement accepts Jesus Christ in the Eucharist as its focal point, source of spiritual life, and ideal for the live of its members.
Article 5: Principles
The Principles of the Eucharistic Youth Movement of Việt Nam are as follow:
(5.1) To live God’s Word and be united with Christ in the Eucharistic through Prayer, Communion, Sacrifice, and Apostolic Work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to perform apostolic work by the youth in particular: “The youth must first do apostolic work and directly to the youth” (Decree Lay Apostolicity, no. 12) (see also Art. 3.4, 52, 54).
(5.2) To love and adore the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Savior, so that through Our Mother, we receive Christ and take Christ into our lives in a perfect way.
(5.3) To adore the Vietnamese Martyrs and follow their examples to bear witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
(5.4) To love and obey the representative of Christ, the Pope, who is the leader of the Eucharistic Youth, and at the same time pray in union with the monthly prayer intentions of the Holy Father.
(5.5) Self-develop personality characteristic. Uphold and promote the Vietnamese culture and tradition.
Article 6: Observant
The Eucharistic Youth member always remember and implement the Ten Observant as follow:
(6.1) Youth offer up their day each morning in order to make their life become a prayer.
(6.2) Young people are devoted to the Eucharist, assiduously attending mass and visiting the Blessed Sacrament.
(6.3) Young people are willing to make sacrifices, finding joy in beholding the Cross.
(6.4) Young people depend on the Holy Mother for victory, and always lead exemplary lives worthy of Jesus’ disciples.
(6.5) Young people obey their parents and group leaders.
(6.6) Young people are mild-mannered, staying pure in both words and deeds.
(6.7) Young people are rich in compassion, with generous hearts to help others.
(6.8) Young people are honest, moderate and sincere in words and deeds.
(6.9) Young people are faithful to their responsibilities, always completing assigned tasks.
(6.10) Young people record their treasure chests each night, not falsely reporting their works.
Article 7: Education Method
The Eucharistic Youth Movement apply appropriate methods to educate the youth in the two dimensions of natural and supernatural.
(7.1) Natural: Eucharistic Youth apply natural methods such as singing and dancing, outdoor activities, training camp, social action…all of which are imbued with the spirit of the Scriptures. (see also Art. 55, 56)
(7.2) Supernatural: Eucharistic Youth are build on the foundation of spiritual life by living the Eucharistic Day through offering of the Day, Prayer, Communion, Spiritual Bouquet, Retreat, and Sharing of the Word… (see also Art. 52, 53, 54, 55, 62)
Article 8: Direction
The Eucharistic Youth Movement trains the youth in an atmosphere that is new, healthy, enthusiastic, adapted, and open in order to become perfect individuals willing to live a positive faith life, brave and willing in committing to bringing God to their surroundings; at the same time are proud to lift up their traditions and culture, and always conscious of building the country. (see also Art 2, 5, 51)
Article 9: Related entities for cooperation
In order to execute the task of educating, improving and sanctifying the youth, Eucharistic Youth Movement needs to collaborate with parents, the parish, the community, the school, and cooperate with various groups and organizations connected with the life of the youth; at the same time, the Eucharistic Youth Movement needs their support.