Today is the anniversary of Joseph Cardijn - YCW founder - becoming a Cardinal. We asked former National President Phil Callaghan to share some of his thoughts on this important moment in YCW history.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI, who had been elected following the death of John XXIII midway through the Council, appointed Cardijn as a Cardinal. By this time the Council was almost over and therefore there was little more influence that Cardijn could have on the proceedings. Cardijn was in crisis over the decision whether to accept the honour, concerned that it would remove him from his ability to speak for the working classes. The Pope convinced him however that as a Cardinal, Cardijn would have more influence and opportunity to speak for young workers.
The picture above is the coat of arms which Cardijn chose upon his elevation to the cardinalate. The red cross and wheat are taken from the emblem of the YCW, the wheat representing labour and the cross as a symbol of the Christian nature of the movement. In addition to this we see an image of Our Lady of Hal. This was a popular devotion in the area of Belgium where Cardijn was born and raised. This highlights the importance that Cardijn placed on the experiences he had during his upbringing. The motto he chose was “Evangelizare Pauperibus” which translates from Latin as “to evangelise (bring good news to) the poor.” This exhibits his lifelong commitment to the evangelisation of the working classes, almost sixty years after the same commitment he made to his dying father.
In response to the news, he told staffers of the YCW movement: "Please treat me as before and don't be formal. Go on calling me 'monsignor' or simply 'Mr. Cardijn.'"
