The biggest jocist anniversary of 2025 is indisputably the centenary of the official foundation of the Belgian Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne or JOC in 1925.
The JOC or YCW has been such an important movement in the lives of so many of us around the world. Today, it’s still present in close to 100 countries around the globe. Not forgetting the many other movements and initiatives that have sprung from it over the last century.
Let’s join with the YCW movement in our countries and internationally to make sure it’s a memorable year.
No less important, however, was Cardijn’s iconic first meeting with Pope Pius XI in March 1925 when he gave his approval and whole-hearted endorsement to the new movement.
Then there was the first international congress of the JOC held in August 1935, which marked the tenth anniversary of the movement’s birth as well as the foundation of the International YCW.
For the Church, it’s the 60th anniversary of Gaudium et Spes, perhaps the most jocist-influenced of all Vatican II documents. Plus, it’s the 70th anniversary of the first meeting of the Latin American bishops’ council in Rio de Janeiro in 1955, with Cardijn present not at the actual meeting but literally in the corridors.
And of course it’s the 60th anniversary of Cardijn becoming an archbishop and cardinal.
Plus much more!
Cardijn a cardinal
15 February 1965: Paul VI appoints Cardijn as titular archbishop of Tusuros.
21 February 1965: Cardijn ordained a bishop by Cardinal Léon Joseph Suenens, Bishop Emile-Jozef De Smedt and Bishop Charles-Marie Himmer.
22 February 1965: Cardijn receives his red cardinal’s hat from Paul VI.
YCW Centenary
March 1925: Cardijn’s first meeting with Pope Pius XI.
https://www.josephcardijn.com/en/item/109
18-19 April 1925: First National Congress of the Belgian JOC.
October 1925: Publication of the Manuel de la JOC (YCW Manual).
IYCW foundation
25 August 1935: Official opening of First International Congress of the JOC in Brussels.
Significant documents
11 August 1925: Cardijn’s historic talk on “The YCW and the parish.”
https://www.josephcardijn.com/en/item/17
IYCW Declaration of Principles
April 1975: Adoption by the International YCW of its orientation documents, The Declaration of Principles, The Task of Education and The Review of Life and Worker Action.
https://joci.org/en/who-are-we/documents-fondamentaux-de-la-joci-2.html
Vatican II
17 September 1965: Brazilian Archbishop Helder Camara writes to Cardijn proposing two masses for workers and for the poor.
16 November 1965: Mass for the Poor held at Domitilla Catacombs with the signing of the Pact of the Catacombs inspired by Cardijn’s vow to consecrate his life to the working class
17 November 1965: Mass for Workers held at St Michael Archangel Parish, Cardijn’s titular parish as cardinal.
18 November 1965: Promulgation of the Vatican II Decree on the Lay Apostolate, Apostolicam Actuositatem by Paul VI.
7 December 1965: Promulgation of the Vatican II Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the World of Today, Gaudium et Spes.
CELAM
25 July – 4 August 1955: First Meeting of the Episcopal Council of Latin America (CELAM) in Latin America.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Conference_of_Latin_America
That’s a few event anniversaries to start the new year! Let me know if you have more to add.
And tomorrow I’ll present a list of jocist people anniversaries for 2025.
Stefan Gigacz