Here is a list of Catholic lay mission organisations that young Catholics can join, along with links to their websites:
- FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
https://www.focus.org
FOCUS trains young adult missionaries to evangelise on college campuses across the United States, leading Bible studies, mentoring students, and organizing retreats. - NET Ministries (National Evangelisation Teams)
https://www.netusa.org
NET missionaries travel across the U.S. and Canada, working with youth in schools and parishes to share the Catholic faith through retreats and peer-to-peer ministry. - Maryknoll Lay Missioners
https://mklm.org
Maryknoll Lay Missioners serve globally in healthcare, education, and social justice. Young adults are invited to join long-term missions in solidarity with communities worldwide. - Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)
https://www.jesuitvolunteers.org
JVC offers a year of service and spiritual formation in education, social services, and community outreach programs across the U.S. and internationally. - Catholic Volunteer Network (CVN)
https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org
CVN is a network that connects young adults to mission opportunities with various Catholic service programs focusing on social justice, education, and healthcare. - Salesian Lay Missioners (SLM)
https://www.salesianlaymissioners.org
The SLM program provides young adults with mission opportunities worldwide, especially in youth education and community development in Salesian communities. - Missionaries of Charity Lay Missionaries
https://www.motherteresa.org/missionaries-of-charity/lay-missionaries-of-charity/
Inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta, lay missionaries work alongside the sisters serving the poor in various capacities, including at soup kitchens, orphanages, and shelters. - Totus Tuus
https://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/totus-tuus
Totus Tuus offers young adults summer catechetical roles leading youth camps and parish programs focused on catechesis and evangelization for children and teenagers. - Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB)
https://cmmb.org
CMMB offers young healthcare professionals and students the chance to volunteer in medical missions worldwide, focusing on healthcare and community health education. - Apostles of the Interior Life – Lay Missionaries
https://www.apostlesofil.org
This organisation invites lay missionaries to accompany individuals in spiritual formation and growth, helping with mentorship and spiritual direction programs.
These organizations offer a variety of opportunities for young Catholics to live out their faith in mission work, both domestically and internationally. Each provides unique ways to serve, from campus ministry to healthcare, social justice, and youth evangelization.
In Ireland
Here’s a list of Catholic lay mission organisations in Ireland where young Catholics can get involved, along with links to their websites:
- Viatores Christi
https://www.viatoreschristi.com
Viatores Christi supports Irish lay people interested in overseas volunteer work, offering preparation and placements in fields like healthcare, education, and community development. - NET Ministries Ireland
https://www.netministries.ie
NET Ministries Ireland provides young Catholics with opportunities to serve on evangelization teams, organizing and leading youth retreats, parish missions, and school outreach. - The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ireland – Young SVP
https://www.svp.ie
SVP offers various volunteer programs, including Young SVP, which engages youth in helping the less fortunate through service, outreach, and social justice initiatives. - Youth 2000 Ireland
https://www.youth2000.ie
Youth 2000 Ireland provides opportunities for young people to deepen their faith through prayer groups, retreats, and evangelization events throughout Ireland. - Holy Family Mission
- https://www.holyfamilymission.ie/
- Holy Family Mission, working under the auspices of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, was established in October 2016 as a response to the great hunger and desire in young people across Ireland to be formed in their faith in order to share it with others. Holy Family Mission is made up of young, vibrant and joyful people who are engaged in this great adventure to know Him, love Him and serve Him. How great is the need for new life in the Church in Ireland and for young people to courageously stand with the Lord whether it’s popular or not.
- Edmund Rice Development
https://www.edmundricedevelopment.org
Inspired by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, this organization focuses on education, community development, and social justice in Ireland and abroad, engaging volunteers in its mission. - Serve (Ireland)
https://www.serve.ie
SERVE is an Irish development organization partnering with communities in Africa, Asia, and South America. Young adults are welcome to participate in overseas volunteer programs and social justice initiatives. - Spirasi
https://www.spirasi.ie
Spirasi is an Irish organisation that provides support for asylum seekers, refugees, and torture survivors. Volunteers contribute through teaching, mentoring, and social integration programs. - Irish Missionary Union (IMU)
https://www.imu.ie
The IMU supports young adults discerning a missionary vocation through various mission opportunities worldwide and helps connect them with Irish missionary organisations. - L’Arche Ireland
https://www.larcheireland.org
L’Arche offers young adults the opportunity to work in inclusive communities with people who have intellectual disabilities, promoting dignity, support, and community living. - St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers)
https://www.spms.org
This missionary society engages young adults interested in mission work in Africa and Latin America, providing service opportunities and a chance to live out the Gospel through community service. - The Legion of Mary
- https://www.legionofmary.ie
- The Legion of Mary is an international Catholic lay organization with deep roots in Ireland, where it was founded in 1921 by Frank Duff. It offers a unique way for lay Catholics, including young adults, to live out their faith through service and evangelization