Our History

In the late 1800’s Irish immigrants in America were subject to a great deal of social and political discrimination.  So it wasn’t surprising that conversations among Irish Catholics turned frequently to the necessity of organizing.  Such a conversation was held on an evening in 1883 by a group of men who stopped to talk “under a lamppost” after a service in front of St. Joseph’s parish hall in San Francisco.

Soon after, on Sunday afternoon, March 4, 1883, six young San Franciscans, who were to become internationally renowned as the founders of The Young Men’s Institute, held a meeting in St Joseph’s parish hall near the corner of Tenth and Howard Streets with the blessing of the pastor, Father Scanlon. Their purpose was to form a society for the moral, social, and intellectual betterment of Catholic laymen.  The six men in attendance were John J. McDade, James F. Smith, Edward I. Sheehan, William t. Ryan, William H. Gagan, and George R. Maxwell. 

So by the “light” of a single lamp post, the Young Men’s Institute begins to unfold.  With the spiritual leadership and guidance of the new Archbishop of San Francisco, Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, and his successors, the Most Reverend Patrick W. Riordon, the Most Reverend Edward J. Hanna, and the Most Reverened John J. Mitty, this organization witnessed phenomenal growth in these early years.

Our Purpose

The purpose of our organization is three fold - faith, patriotism, and fraternalism.

Faith has been first and foremost in our minds and hearts since inception and continues every time we gather together for meetings and socials.  We pledge ourselves to remain practicing Catholics in all that the term implies. We are active participants in parish organizations, programs, and activities.

Patriotism is the second purpose.  Our founding members (immigrants) wanted to pay respect to this country, their new home.  One way was by becoming citizens of the United States, respecting the laws and government. They became businessmen contributing to this nation’s growth, became local politicians, policemen, and firemen within their communities, and joining the military to protect their new found freedoms.  This continues today as many of our members are very active in community programs, committees, and politics.  Additionally, at each meeting, we pledge allegiance to the flag, fly our flags on holidays, vote, put flags on graves at cemeteries, and demonstrate other ways of support.

Fraternalism is the third purpose. As Christians we are expected to love all men.  As members of the YMI, we extend our hand to each other in brotherly love and call each other “brother.” Socials held within each council or by Grand Council is meant to be an opportunity to get to know each other, share thoughts, and build a lifelong friendship.  Family and family values are very important, so families are included in all our functions. This is part of the reason the YMI Education Foundation was formed to help support the school-aged children of deceased members to continue their education and relieve some of the stress upon the widow. A newsletter, “Under the Lamp Post”, is sent out bimonthly informing the membership of the goings-on at each of the councils and at the Grand Council level.

Our Emblem

The emblem of our organization consists of a cross, a star, and a palm branch. The cross is the symbol of our holy religion and is a reminder that Jesus Christ became man and died for us. The star represents the Star that led the Wise Men to our Savior. And the palm branch is to remind us that peace and good will should always prevail among us. Our motto is “Pro Deo, Pro Patria - For God, For Country”.

What we do

At the Grand Council level, an annual Red & White Mass is held to celebrate the anniversary of our organization and to pray for our current brothers and those who have gone to be with our Heavenly Father.  An Annual Essay Contest was began in 1973, open to any Catholic High School student with an opportunity to win prize money.  A few years ago the Board of Directors of Grand Council added 7th and 8th graders to this contest. The grammar school students answer one question and the high school students answer another. The Essay Contest begins in October and closes on February 1st.  There is a shrine at El Retiro Jesuit Retreat House in Los Altos, California built just after World War II to honor our brothers who gave their lives for this country during acts of war or conflict while serving in the military. It is a replica of the cave at Manresa - befitting the local of the Jesuit Retreat House. A plaque with the names of our War dead and a request to “Pray for Us” is located to one side.  Also, members are encouraged to take advantage of attending retreats at various locations to help restore their faith, have time to reflect away from distractions, share ideas with other catholic men, and receive spiritual guidance.

The YMI Education Foundation was founded in 1963 to help the school aged children of deceased members continue their education. The Seminarian Education Fund started in 1970 has grown and was recently formed into a foundation called The YMI Seminarian Education Foundation.  It provides support for seminarians in dioceses where a YMI Council exists.

Each individual council shows their faith in many ways - active participation in their parish’s programs and committees; Communion Mass’ remembering deceased brothers; honoring a parishioner for their works within the parish; attending rosaries and funerals showing support for the family of deceased brothers; donations to the YMI Education Foundation or to the YMI Seminarian Educational Foundation in a member’s name for memorials or special recognition for members and their families; volunteer support for charitable organizations; monetary support to the Church and various charity groups; sports teams; and many more ways.

Why Join?

Why join a Catholic men’s fraternal organization?  While one original reason holds true to this day - sharing your faith with other Catholic men, other reasons have changed over the years.  No longer is there a prevailing need to help find work for the new immigrants nor fight the discrimination that was shown toward Catholics back in 1883 and for several years to follow.  Now even more than in yesteryears, there is a need to share a common bond and camaraderie that can be lacking in our everyday lives with dual income earners, long commutes, long working hours, and little family quality time.  The Young Men’s Institute can help you with that necessary bonding of faith and family values. By joining a local council, your can reinforce your values, beliefs, and support in the Catholic Church with other men of similar ideals and have opportunities for you and your family to meet and build good relationships with other Christian families. Through this network, make the most of your time and talents to improve not only yourself, but to trenthen your Church, your family, and your community through good deeds.

Grand Council holds annual essay contest that is open to any Catholic child in grades 7 and 8, and 9 through 12 with a chance to win prize money. This contest is supported through the annual raffle drawing. Several individual council’s also provide scholarships toward education.

www.ymiusa.org/educationThe YMI Education Foundation has been in place for many years to provide assistance to school-aged children of a member who died early in life. Currently, the total amount is approximately $20,000 for each child from kindergarten through four years of college. In 2004, a $2000 college scholarship was created for living YMI members, their children, and grandchildren and will be awarded annually.  In 2005, three more scholarships were added ($1000 and two $500 scholarships) and will be awarded annually. A matching funds program (up to $750) was instituted so local councils could increase their scholarship programs for the parishes and communities they support.

www.ymiusa.org/seminarianThe Seminarian Educational Foundation of the Young Men’s Institute was incorporated February 1 2000, for the express purpose of receiving charitable gifts, donations, and bequests, to support annually the educational costs of seminarians. This fund will aid in providing support for the seminarians in those dioceses where a YMI Council exists.

For those than join before their forty-fifth birthday, there is a death benefit of $750 available that is covered within your annual dues. Membership dues average $4.00 per month.

How do I Join?

You can contact the Young Men’s Institute in the following ways:

ymius@aol.com

YMI Grand Council P.O. Box 281047 San Francisco, CA 94128-1047

650-588-7762 in California

800-964-9646 outside of California

650-952-3546 fax