Lamp Post History

The history of the Young Men’s Institute has a unique legend concerning the lamp post that was located on the corner of 10th and Howard Streets near St. Joseph’s Church. It was at this lamp post, YMI lore tells us, that six San Franciscans met one cold and dark night and decided to found an organization of Catholic action and service which became the Young Men’s Institute.

The lamp was then, of course, a gas lamp. Later it became electrified. And when St. Joseph’s Church was scheduled to be closed, YMI San Francisco Council #1 decided to have it moved to Notre Dame des Victoires Church on Bush Street which was that Council’s meeting place. Charles Elliott, Past Grand President (PGP), Council #1, took its picture before the lamp post was moved(see picture #1). Michael Handlos, PGP, Council #1, an attorney, contacted all the necessary boards and commissions in San Francisco and secured a permit to have the lamp post moved. It was relocated in 1994 to the rectory garden and proudly stands there today. When it was erected at Notre Dame, San Francisco Council #1 hosted a gala dinner attended by many Councils (see picture #2).

At the Grand Council Session hosted by South San Francisco Council #32 in Palo Alto in 1994, Louis Guaraldi, PGP, Council #32, gave us a plate depicting the lamp post and also a mug with the inscription, “Our Lamp Post, the Symbol of our Organization” (see pictures #3 and #4).

At the 1998 Grand Council Session, hosted by St. Augustine Council #497 in Huntingburg, IN, the lamp post was used as the theme of the Sessions (see picture #5).

So the legend of the lamp post lives on thanks to San Francisco Council #1 and to Michael Handlos for saving what is believed to be the original symbol of the first meeting place of the Young Men’s Institute.

In 1998, Walter Moniz, PGP, Council #1, challenged the new Grand Second Vice President, Tom Fourie, Council #32, to come up with an activity that would highlight the lamp post. Brother Tom came up with the idea of having an annual Red and White Mass to commemorate our decaesed members (red carnations) and to celebrate our living members (white carnations.) This Mass was to coincide with the yearly anniversary of the founding of the YMI. The first Red and White Mass was hosted by San Francisco Council #1 at Notre Dame des Victoires Church and the event has now become a tradition that the Grand Second Vice President chairs each year usually within his own parish. And so over time the Mass has been hosted at:

1999 - Notre Dame des Victoires Church, San Francisco, CA

2000 - St. Anthony Church, Manteca, CA

2001 - St. Alphonsus Church, San Leandro, CA

2002 - Holy Rosary Church, Hilmar, CA

2003 - St. John Vianney Church, San Jose, CA

2004 - St. Bernard Church, Tracy, Ca

2005 - All Souls Church, So. San Francisco, CA

2006 - St. Jarlath Church, Oakland, CA

2007 - Good Shepherd Church, Pittsburg, CA

2008 - Immaculate Conception Church, Atwater, CA

2009 - All Souls Church, So. San Francisco, CA

Brother Tom continues in his dual role as PGP and YMI Business Manager to support the Red and White Mass.