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he Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth society
(Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể abbreviated tntt in Vietnamese) is a non-profit
organisation under the leadership of the Catholic church. Its aim is to
develop the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of Vietnamese
Catholic youth so that may become healthy adults as well as better Christians.
The Eucharistic Youth society was founded in
Europe during World War I and was known as the Eucharistic
Crusade. Its purpose at the time was to pray, especially to the Blessed
Sacrament, for the conversion of hearts and the reconciliation among the disillusioned
youths affected by the War. Although the Eucharistic Crusade was founded by a
Jesuit, Pere Bessiere, S.J., it was brought to Hanoi, Viet-Nam, by Sulpicians in
1929. By 1951, it had spread throughout the whole country and became an
organised association in the early 1960's.
In 1964, in keeping with the spirit of the second Vatican Council, the
Vietnamese Eucharistic Crusade was transformed into the Vietnamese Eucharistic
Youth Society and was approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
and the government. This new transition integrated both prayer and apostolate
services. From 1964 to 1975, the Society grew considerably in in spirit and in
number. In order to accommodate the growth of the society, the first National
Convention, "Promised Land I", was held in 1972. Over 2,000
co-ordinating leaders attended. By 1975, there were about 140,000 members, under
the leadership of about 3,800 co-ordinating leaders serving in 650 parishes
within 13 dioceses in South Viet-Nam alone.
With the fall of South Viet-Nam in 1975, the society's activities ceased
temporarily. However, with the waves of refugees fleeing to new homeland, the
Society came to life again. The Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society is
currently active in many different countries in the free world: Australia,
Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States.
The Society was formed in Australia in 1984.
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