The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern (Oriental) Catholic Churches in communion with Rome. It is the second largest Eastern Catholic Church after the Ukrainian Church and the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian (Nazrani) denominations with 5 million believers. It is a sui iuris Church governed by the Synod of Bishops headed by the Major Archbishop. The Syro-Malabar Church (SMC), with its deep-rooted spirituality and high rate of vocations to priesthood and religious life, can be considered as the most vibrant Catholic community in the world.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has different commissions for its pastoral activities working under the Synod of Bishops. The Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) is the youth movement under the Syro Malabar Youth Commission of the Syro Malabar Church.
Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) is the official youth movement of the Syro Malabar Church. SMC has more than 1.6 million catholic youth scattered all over the world. Although we have been working hand in hand with movements like ICYM in the past years, we had always longed for a youth movement for our Mother Church. The Laity Commission of the Syro Malabar Church took up the initiatives in 2011 to coordinate the different youth movements in our church and to bring our youth together. Efforts were continued for many years and as an outcome, we now have the Syro Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM), with the approval of the Synod of Bishops. This official Youth Movement of the Syro Malabar Church, officially commenced on the 30th day of August 2014. The Syro Malabar Youth Commission was also constituted in the first session of the Synod of Bishops, 2015. The SMYM is in its infancy, but is flourishing with a decisive presence in all the 29 dioceses and four major mission centers of the Syro Malabar Church in India and abroad. The SMYM champions and lives out its mission to follow the tradition and beliefs of the Syro Malabar Church for the Kingdom of God and Society, to strive for the integral development of the youth and to bind together the youth of the SMC. SMYM has started out with various programmes and activities for the holistic development of youth aligning its members with the religious and social causes of the Church. Some of the programmes designed by the SMYM are as follows: Nurturing families living in the railway colonies and slums in different parts of India. Leadership formation and trainings for future leaders of the church. Helping the youth with continuous guidance and support on faith formation. Active promotion of the life, values and church teachings using the social media. Support and guidance for the professional development of the youth. Cultural exchange program of the youth of the mission centers with youth in Kerala. Campus programmes against substance abuse and formation of de-addiction clubs on campuses.