NATIONAL HANDBOOK OF THE CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION Imprimatur Date: 1st September, 2011 Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle Archbishop of Accra Archdiocese 1 GENERAL INDEX CONTENT PAGE Personal Notes 3 Short History of the Ghana C.Y.O 4 What is the C.Y.O 5 Initiations Requirements 6 The C.Y.O Prayer 7 The C.Y.O Laws (Code) 8 Initiation and Inauguration Ceremonies 9 The RibbonsTest 13 The Proficiency Badges 16 C.Y.O Emblem and Colours 17 The Structure of the C.Y.O 17 The C.Y.O Uniform 18 Our Method of Work 20 Our Activities 21 Our Signals and Formations 23 National Registration 29 Alert Crusader 29 Our C.Y.O Songs 30 Amended National Constitution 34 2 PERSONAL NOTES Name:…………………………………………………………… Address:………………………………………………………… Date of Birth:…………………………………………………… Place Of Birth:………………………………………………….. Date of Baptism:………………………………………………... Date of Confirmation:…………………………………………... Date of Joining the C.Y.O:……………………………………… Date of Initiation:……………………………………………….. Date of Yellow Ribbon:………………………………………… Date of Red Ribbon:……………………………………………. Date of Blue Ribbon:…………………………………………… 3 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GHANA C.Y.O. The C.Y.O is an International Organization which exist in all parts of the world in different names. It was founded in Ghana by His Lordship, Right Rev. Bishop Adolf Noser, SVD, DD of the Accra Diocese and Rev. Peter Norek, SVD in 1949 at the time when the majority of the Youth was left to themselves without guidance. It appointed Mr. Victor Ako-Adonuvo as its first full time Director in 1951. Later he became the National Chairman in 1960. In 1951, His Excellency Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke, K.C.M.G the then Governor of the Gold Coast now Ghana, laid the foundation of the C.Y.O Sports Stadium at Adoagyiri- Nsawam. Branches of the movement spread throughout the country on Diocesan basis independent of each other. It was in 1959 that a National Federation of All Catholic Youth Movements in all the various dioceses was formed at express wish of the Hierarchy. The C.Y.O was very active in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast through the dynamism of Rev. Fr. Vincent Kwabena Damuah, Archbishop John Kodwo Amissah and the members. Working closely with the then National Chairman, Rev. Damuah directed the activities of the C.Y.O in Saltpond so creditably that in January 1963 he was detained for 5 days for criticizing some aspects of the defunct Young Pioneer Movement programme especially the deification and institutionalization doctrines. 4 The C.Y.O is a beneficiary of the National Trust Fund and its effective contribution towards Ghana’s independence from colonial domination was specially noted. The C.Y.O is devoted to facilitate and conduct training courses in the field of Youth Service, to seek and administer funds for Youth Service, to co-operate with the Church, the Government and other agencies concerned with Youth Service to foster and co-ordinate activities of Church societies dealing with Youth. WHAT IS THE C.Y.O? The C.Y.O is an Organization which taking the parish as its base, and without regard to social class or profession, provides for young people a Christian Community life order to prepare them for active co-operation in building a living church and a better world. Further, it is the objective of the organization to inspire, direct and guide the natural creative qualities and desire of young people by promoting recreational, educational, cultural and religious programme that will adequately meet their physical, mental and spiritual needs. 5 INITIATION REQUIREMENTS One becomes a full member of the C.Y.O after initiation. In order to qualify for Initiation, the new member should know the following: A. NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MEMBERS – Our organization is called the “Catholic Youth Organization” or C.Y.O. A member of the C.Y.O. is called a “Crusader” i.e. a person who fights for the Kingdom of God. B. THE AIM OF THE ORGANIZATION – Our aim is to become true friends of God and better citizens of our Country and to help others to do the same C. WHO CAN BE A MEMBER OF THE C.Y.O. – The C.Y.O is first of all for Catholic Youth, but it is open to all other Youth who wish to work for the advancement of its aims. D. THE C.Y.O. LAW OF CHARITY – We love God above all things and we love others as Jesus loved us. E. THE C.Y.O. PLEDGE – I Promise upon my honour to be loyal to my God, to my Country and to my Church, to faithful and true to all my obligations as a Catholic and a citizen of Ghana. So help me God. F. THE C.Y.O. SALUTE – The C.Y.O Salute is given with the Right Palm raised facing forward and crossed by the Thumb thus forming the sign of the Cross 6 G. THE C.Y.O. GREETING – A Crusader greeting salutes saying: “For God and Ghana”, the Crusader being greeted responds with a salute and says: “Thanks be to God”. H. THE C.Y.O. SLOGAN – The Leader says: “C.Y.O.” All answer: “Do Something for God and Ghana Now!” or “Charity” and the response is “Forever!” I. THE C.Y.O PRAYER – a. Lord Jesus, I offer you this day all my work, my hopes and struggles, my joys and sorrows. Grant me and my fellow Crusaders the grace to think like you, to work with you and to live in you. Help me to love you with all my heart and serve you with all my strength. Your Kingdom come in all our schools, offices, farms, workshops and homes. May those of us who today may be in danger of sin remain in your grace and may those who have died in our apostolate rest in peace. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Have mercy on us Queen of Apostles Pray for us All Saints of Africa Pray for us St. John Bosco Pray for us St. Maria Goretti Pray for us b. Jesus our brother and leader, we give our whole life to you. Help all men to know and love you. Make us always do what is pleasing to you. Amen 7 J. THE C.Y.O LAWS (CODES) 1. A Crusader is honest. 2. A Crusader is clean. 3. A Crusader attends all meetings of the movement. 4. A Crusader prays regularly. 5. A Crusader is kind and helpful. 6. A Crusader plays fair and is a good loser. 7. A Crusader must give a good example. 8. A Crusader is all out for God and Ghana. 9. A Crusader does his day’s work well. 10. A Crusader is to serve and not to be served. K. THE C.Y.O NATIONAL YOUTH DAY – Falls on the Feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday before Advent (The end of November). L. THE PATRON SAINTS OF THE C.Y.O. – St. John Bosco (31st January) and St. Maria Goretti (6th July). M. THE C.Y.O. ANTHEM An army of Youth Flying the Standard of Truth We’re fighting for Christ the Lord. Heads lifted high Catholic action our cry. And the Cross our only sword. On earth’s battlefield, Never advantage we’ll yield, As dauntlessly on we swing. Crusaders True! Dare and do! ‘Neath the Queen’s White and Blue. For our Flag for our Faith For Christ the King. 8 INITIATION AND INAUGURATION CEREMONIES A. INTRODUCTION: i. NEW UNITS: Members are to be initiated into a Unit. For a new Unit to be declared ‘Inaugurated’, at least 20 members need to be initiated. This group of Crusaders can only be initiated; a) After having attended not less than 15 CONSECUTIVE weekly meetings. b) After having passed the necessary initiation tests ii. EXISTING UNITS: a) For already existing Units the date of 1st initiation of its members should be considered as the date of the inauguration of the Unit b) New members can be initiated into a Unit preferably on any of the following occasions: - Christ the King - St. John Bosco - St. Maria Goretti - Martyrs of Uganda - Easter Sunday - Pentecost Day - Parish or Local Patron Saints Feast Day 9 Initiation of the members and the inauguration of the Unit forms one ceremony. This ceremony should be preceded by a 3-Day Retreat and should take place during Eucharistic celebration. The following procedure should then be followed: a) INITIATION 1. Candidates join the entrance procession to the Church 2. Immediately after the Homily the Parish Chairman invites candidates by calling their names. On hearing their names they answer ‘Yes Crusader’ and come forward in front of the Celebrant. 3. Where applicable, the blessing of the uniforms and of the C.Y.O flag is now performed. 4. When this is done, or after all candidates have come forward, all present sing “Come Holy Ghost” in English or in Vernacular. 5. The Celebrant then asks; “What do you ask, Candidates? The Candidate answer: “I ask permission to make my promise and to be accepted as a full member of the C.Y.O. and to pledge my fidelity to God and Ghana.” Celebrant: Do you know the Law of Charity? Candidate: Yes I do Celebrant: What is the Law of Charity? Candidate: To love God above all things and to love others as Jesus loved us. Celebrant: Very well, keep this law of charity and you will be true friend of God and brother and sister to all men. 10 The Celebrant or Parish Chairman, or any invited Senior C.Y.O.