Electing a New Council
Every three years, the members of Youth Apostles gather to elect a new General Council. The General Council has the responsibility of caring for all of our members, setting vision and goals, and making sure that our community is doing everything we can to inspire youth to live Christ-like lives.
General Council Election Workshop, 2022.
This is a really important moment for our community, and it's a wonderful blessing to have this election the week after Pentecost. As we come to God in prayer, seeking his will above every other concern and asking him to raise up leaders who will carry out what he desires for us, we have great confidence that the Holy Spirit works through our prayer and discernment to choose the leaders he is calling to these roles of service.
It's a daunting task for those who are chosen, not least because the work they're entrusted with does not come from them or belong to them: it is first and foremost the work of God, and our community has been called by him to be instruments of his saving work in the lives of young people. In our Youth Apostles prayer, we humbly ask "that we may become salt of the earth, to bring flavor to your word, and light of the world, to guide the youth with your light, which shines through us." The fundamental task for our leaders is to lead us in responding to that call faithfully.
For those who are interested in the details of how we elect our council, here's a little more information about the process, which is actually very similar to the process used by the Cardinals for the conclave.
The night before, we have time to discuss the needs of the community. There are no nominations or campaigning. Then we pray and vote, going through as many ballots as necessary for someone to receive a majority of the votes. That member is asked if he will serve, and if he accepts, his term begins immediately. A member can serve a maximum of four consecutive terms in the same role.
The General Council consists of the following elected positions:
General Director
Lay Assistant Director (special responsibility for married and single members)
Consecrated Cleric Assistant Director (special responsibility for lay consecrated and priests)
At-Large
At-Large
The five elected members then appoint:
Secretary
Treasurer
The General Director (GD) and Consecrated Cleric Assistant Director (CCAD) must be confirmed by the Bishop of Arlington. Once the five elected positions have been filled and the bishop has confirmed the GD and CCAD, we'll send an email announcing the new General Council (usually sometime Saturday afternoon).
Please pray for us! As one of the Cardinals said about the conclave, the great protagonist of this process is the Holy Spirit. We want to do his will faithfully, I hope you'll join us in begging God to give us wisdom and discernment and to bless and strengthen the men who will be called to serve on the council. Here's a prayer we invite you to pray along with us:
