Office of Youth Ministry

Who We Are

"He wants you - all of you - to be light to the world, as only young people can be light. It is time to let your light shine!"

On January 26, 1999 St. John Paul II spoke these words to the young people of St. Louis from the stage of the Kiel Center. Out of that papal visit, the Office of Youth Ministry was born here in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. 

The Office of Youth Ministry serves parents, priests, and leaders of church-based youth programs in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We do this by providing essential tools, training, formation, and events that help these ministers connect with young people in a ministry setting. We build strong relationships with them so that they can build stronger relationships with the young people entrusted to their care.

As an agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, we want to see the Church have an impact on the lives of young people. Nobody knows the spiritual needs of the youth like these parents, youth leaders, and pastors. This is why our greatest impact comes from supporting them, because they’re the ones bringing young people to Jesus in a transformative way on a daily basis.

Our Mission: We strengthen youth ministry by equipping parish leaders with essential tools, training, formation, and events in order that all young people hear the Gospel message and be empowered to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our parishes and in our world.

Why Give

When you give to the Office of Youth Ministry, you’re investing in and strengthening the young Church today. Your generosity equips those who guide young people toward a living relationship with Jesus Christ; ensuring that both leaders and teens have the resources they need to grow as disciples.

Donations from #iGiveCatholic go directly toward:

Youth Leader Formation equips those who guide our young Church with ongoing training, retreats, and resources that help them accompany youth with confidence.

• • Training Day scholarships and resources, Annual Youth Leader Retreat, participation in youth ministry certification programs

Catholic Scouting to nurture the faith of young people through spiritual retreats, awards programs, and resources that connect adventure with discipleship.

• • Resource materials for Catholic scouting programs, Days of Recollection for girls and boys

Totus Tuus supporting the recruitment, training, and care of our college-age missionaries who bring the Gospel to parishes across the Archdiocese.

• • Missionary recruitment and training, Parish scholarships 

JPII Scholarship Fund ensuring that no young person or parish leader is ever turned away from retreats, conferences, or formation opportunities because of financial need.

• • Steubenville STL Mid-America, Youth Leader Formation, Summit and other archdiocesan youth events

With your help, we can exceed our $2,500 fundraising goal this #iGiveCatholic Giving Day — making it possible for every young person to encounter Christ and grow as a disciple in the heart of the Church.

Click here to see more ways the OYM supports Youth Ministry in St. Louis.