Catholic Youth Organization

A Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) is an organization for young Catholics. Usually each group uses the church for meeting and gathering, although some have their own premises. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J. Sheil of Chicago in the year 1930.

The organization's main purposes are guiding the young Catholics to live a Christian life from a young age, developing trust between peers, and living a happy life in a positive manner.

Activities vary in accordance with local culture but often includes prayer, singing, charity, sales, sports and visiting the sick. In the United States, CYO is mainly known for its organized sports programs, notably boxing, basketball, baseball, track and field, and volleyball, as well as marching bands. Its athletic contests are often so competitive that CYO has been jokingly described as "Crush Your Opponents."

There are also active units of this organization in the Philippines. Most units are choirs of their parishes, and they also organize various activities under sports, spiritual, social, cultural, formation, ways and means, and membership committees. All of these projects have helped in nurturing the faith of the Filipino Christian youth, their holistic growth, leadership capabilities, cultural and artistic talents, love for the family, and for the community. CYO in the Philippines was founded by Fr. George J. Willman in the year 1938, with Loreto Parish in Sampaloc, Manila as the pilot unit. Its National Chaplain, Emeritus is Msgr. Francisco Tantoco, and Fr. Jerome Cruz as National Chaplain. CYO's Founder's Day is celebrated every 29 June, which is also Fr. George J. Willman's birthday.

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Trenton’s East State St. CYO celebrates 30 years

The Trentonian 11 Apr 2025
CYO East State St ... CYO and Ms ... The day included an opening performance by the CYO Dance & Cheer group followed by an award ceremony for Father Brian McCormick, founder of the Martin House ...
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St. John's girls win CYO state title, finish second at New Englands

The Salem News 04 Apr 2025
It was a season to remember for the St. John the Baptist girls basketball team, which won the Catholic Youth Organization state championship and wound up as runners-up at the New England regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut this past weekend ... .
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