ABOUT SERVIAM.
Forming Students for Sainthood.
Serviam Catholic Youth Apostolate exists to help form young people for sainthood through prayer, community, formation, and service.
Working in partnership with Catholic schools and parishes, Serviam creates communities where students can encounter Christ, build authentic friendships, and grow in the Catholic faith.
WHY SERVIAM?
Serviam
"I will serve."
Serviam is Latin for “I will serve.”
The words stand in contrast to non serviam - “I will not serve” - the cry associated with rebellion against God.
Serviam Catholic Youth Apostolate takes its name from the opposite response: a willingness to place our lives at the service of Christ and His Church.
That spirit animates our mission today. We partner with Catholic schools and families to form young people who know Christ, live their faith, serve others, and ultimately become saints.
OUR STORY.
From Prayer to Apostolate.
THE BEGINNING.
An Idea Rooted in Prayer.
Serviam began with a simple question: What should Catholic youth ministry look like?
Years before the apostolate existed, founder Allan DeLeon discussed that question with a seminarian. The conversation stayed with him. Over the years that followed, he returned to it again and again in prayer, asking what the Lord desired for a Catholic youth ministry.
Years later, while serving on the Theology and Campus Ministry team at St. Thomas High School, an opportunity emerged to create a co-ed Catholic youth night for students from across Houston.
The seeds planted years earlier in prayer began to take shape.
THE FIRST NIGHT.
October 7 — Our Lady of the Rosary.
Serviam's first gathering took place on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary — a feast day with particular significance to founder Allan DeLeon.
Dozens of students gathered alongside young adults, teachers, and parents who came to serve. From the beginning, the rhythm was simple: friendship, dinner together, Adoration, and meaningful conversations about the Faith.
What began that night remains at the heart of Serviam today. Though the apostolate has grown, a Serviam Night still looks remarkably similar to that first gathering: prayer, community, and an invitation to deeper friendship with Christ and one another.
THE MISSION CONTINUES.
Forming Students for Sainthood.
From the beginning, Serviam's mission has been clear: forming students for sainthood.
From its first year to its second, Serviam grew from one chapter to four. That growth was not simply about becoming larger. Serviam seeks to go wherever the Lord leads, growing through prayerful discernment and remaining rooted in the same prayer and community that shaped its first gathering.
Today, Serviam hopes to serve more students, families, parishes, and Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston — and to remain open to wherever God may lead the apostolate next.
"Anything short of striving for sainthood would be a disservice to our students and families."
— Allan DeLeon, Founder & President
OUR PATRONS.
Saints Who Guide Our Mission.
“The saints are the true bearers of light within history, for they are men and women of faith, hope, and love.” — Pope Benedict XVI
St. Michael the Archangel
PATRON SAINT OF SERVIAM
“Who is like God?”
We ask the Prince of the Heavenly Hosts to inspire us to serve like him.
St. Carlo Acutis
EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION
“The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven.”
We ask St. Carlo to enflame our hearts with a love for the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Louis & Zelie Martin
FORMING THE FAMILY
“For me, our children were a great compensation, so I wanted to have a lot of them in order to raise them for Heaven.”
We ask Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin to make our domestic church a school of virtue.
St. Mother Teresa
WORKS OF MERCY
“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta.”
We ask St. Mother Teresa to cultivate a love for those who need it most in our own homes, schools, and community.
St. Josephine Bahkita
VOCATION AWARENESS
“I have given everything to my Master: He will take care of me… The best thing for us is not what we consider best, but what the Lord wants of us!”
We ask St. Josephine Bahkita to help us entrust our vocations to Christ.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
PILGRIM FRIENDSHIP
“Verso l'alto! To the heights!”
We ask St. Pier Giorgio Frassati to bless us with friendships that scale the heights of faith, hope, and love.
OUR LEADERSHIP.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Allan DeLeon
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Carlos Barboza
VICE PRESIDENT
Erin Ellwanger
SECRETARY
Gregory Pirolli
TREASURER
Andrew Quittenton
DIRECTOR
ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Guidance in Service of the Mission.