History and mission

Youth at the heart of the mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Youth has always been at the heart of the mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. St. Eugene de Mazenod, their founder, was a missionary of the poor. His aim was to bring back the faith that was dying out among the poor. He also often worked with young people. It was in this direction that Cap-Jeunesse was created.

Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Shrine

Cap-jeunesse was founded in 1985. It was Pope John Paul II who inspired the idea, following his speech on the importance of young people within the Church.

“It’s up to you, dear young people, to be messengers in today’s world of the true hope that is Christ. Let each one of you say to himself: I want to be an apostle of hope! – John Paul II, April 11, 1979

During his visit at Our Lady of the Cape Shrine in 1984, a group of young people got involved in organizing and leading the celebrations. Following this event, a desire was born in the hearts of the young people present: to organize an annual youth pilgrimage to the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine.

Youth Pilgrimage

The youth pilgrimage is the first event organized by Cap-Jeunesse. Since 1985, hundreds of young people have gathered on the first Saturday in October to deepen their relationship with God, through Jesus, and with Mary. They deepen their understanding of a theme through a variety of activities adapted to their reality. They take part in a musical, a walk, a rally, times of exchange and a mass. It’s a tradition that has lasted for some thirty years.

Creation of a youth ministry at the Shrine

Given the success of the first youth pilgrimage, the Oblate Fathers’ vocation ministry team saw the need to establish a permanent youth ministry center. The Oblates called on Dominique Levasseur, Jacques Letarte, Gilles Guimond and Francine Perron, pioneers of Cap-Jeunesse. Together, they created a meeting place for young people aged 15 to 35. The aim was to give young people the space to exchange and share their experiences in a welcoming atmosphere conducive to recollection. Their first activities include a Way of the Cross, a song recital, evangelical sharing, testimonies and adoration. This first year has attracted many young people, and many have given their time to make the activities a success.

The response from pilgrims, both young and old, was very positive: the center proved to be necessary, as it met the expectations of a good number of people who appreciated being welcomed, listened to, challenged and helped. The center has also enabled us to help adults discover the true face of young people and better understand their spiritual journey.” – Gilles Guimond, at Our Lady of the Cape Shrine (January-February 1986)

Cap-Jeunesse then realized that young people live their faith in a different way, and that they need a space to communicate it in their own way. Experience also shows that this initiative helps change the image of young people in relation to other age groups. This is why the idea of a space offered by young people, for young people is essential to the community. With this in mind, Cap-Jeunesse has continued to work at the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine for more than 30 years now.

Welcoming youth and family groups

It wasn’t long before Cap-Jeunesse began contributing to activities throughout the Shrine. Team members became present throughout the year. By the 1990s, they were welcoming groups of young people and families. The Diocese of Trois-Rivières expressed the wish that young people preparing for their profession of faith could experience a day of animation at Our Lady of the Cape Shrine. Cap-Jeunesse gladly responded to this request by organizing a series of faith-deepening days. Rallies, interactive theater, games of all kinds and times of prayer make up these group animation days. Activities focus on human growth and the following themes: self-esteem, positive leadership, respect, solidarity and the environment.

Cap-Jeunesse, adapted to today’s world

Cap-Jeunesse is renowned for its dynamic, artistic and contemporary activities. The inspiration, openness, ideas and talents of many people have helped drive its development. Over the years, each team has worked to create a variety of activities, offering different types of days out, different means of intervention, and so on. In this way, the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine’s youth team has developed its own unique style.

MISSION

Cap-Jeunesse offers young people of all ages and backgrounds an intense, foundational and incarnational life experience that connects them to each other and to the world. This experience is centered on Jesus Christ, who has a word of life and freedom for every person. Cap-Jeunesse works to promote the development of the whole person, leading to a commitment in the life of each young person, giving them the inspiration of Mary and her resounding “yes” to life.

The meaning of Cap-Jeunesse

The term Cap-Jeunesse has three meanings:

1. Cap sur les jeunes, heading toward the youth, which expresses Cap-Jeunesse’s mission.
2. the Cap-de-la-Madeleine region, the location of Our Lady of the Cape Shrine and Cap-Jeunesse.
3.C.A.P. stands for Centre d’animation pastorale jeunesse, (Youth pastoral animation center) which was originally the name for Cap-Jeunesse.

Our values

The values adopted are those of Our Lady of the Cape Shrine.

  • Welcome: We welcome everyone, especially young people, without condition or judgment.
  • Respect: while proposing Christ, act with respect for the beliefs, pace, freedom and personalities of young people.
  • Solidarity: Listening in solidarity to the joys, sorrows and concerns of young people, and being alert to all forms of poverty experienced by them.

Preferred means of expression

  • Art (sculpture, visual arts, music, literature, performing arts, cinema)
  • Animation
  • Fraternal activities