Vagabond Missions opens, blesses new youth center ‘Underground’

Anchored at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in north Oklahoma City, Vagabond Missions is celebrating the completion of its new youth center: Underground. The relatively new apostolate is reaching a culturally diverse, underserved population of young people in the heart of their community. 

On Sept. 12, Archbishop Coakley celebrated Mass and blessed the new youth center.

“This is an evening of thanksgiving for those who have given to do something wonderful and beautiful for God to make a difference, to be light to the world, salt of the earth, right here in our community.” 

The archbishop gave thanks for the opportunities Underground would provide for young people in the community. It is the visionary people, he said, whose dream it was to bring this to our community, along with those who came to support it, that allowed Underground to become a reality. 

“The blessing is not just a blessing of a physical structure, but rather also a blessing of those who gather to build up the body of Christ to form disciples, to teach and hand on the word of God, so that, together, we might fulfill the mission God has for each of us,” he said. 

Many of the youth currently active with Vagabond in Oklahoma City were present for the dedication of Underground. Vagabond Missions has served more than 5,000 teens in nine cities across the United States, with more than 200 welcomed into the Catholic Church. 

Vagabond Missions is a national non-profit whose goal is to open youth centers in cities and send missionaries there to bring young people to Christ.

Joe Cipriano, area director for Vagabond missions, runs Underground. Cipriano thanked the archbishop, who he says supported the vision of Vagabond from the beginning. He also thanked the many priests, including those from the parishes of Holy Angels and Saint Patrick, who have each played a role in the development of the mission. 

Cipriano explained that the name Underground refers to the early Church, when it was necessary to go underground to be a safe place for the faithful.  

“The name ‘Underground’ represents Vagabond’s vision of being a safe and secure place where (young people) can make great friends, meet great mentors, and fall in love with Jesus,” Cipriano said. 

Underground youth centers offer vibrant and informal after-school programs that open the doors to offer teens a place to unwind, connect with friends and build a sense of community. 

Oklahoma City’s Underground is currently open on Wednesdays for youth night, “Breakout,” but its leadership says they envision growing and opening more nights of the week. 

Cipriano was among the first youth in upstate New York to experience Underground. He said he was living a life separated from the Church but fell in love with Jesus because of the love and ministry of the missionaries at Underground. 

Designed to be an informal refuge, the laid-back atmosphere fosters a sense of belonging, where youth can hang out, play games, have a snack and make friendships. 

Following Mass, the archbishop blessed the new youth center building. Participants completed the celebration with a dinner provided by volunteers. 

Emma Shields, one of two Vagabond missionaries in Oklahoma City, said the additional space of Underground is a blessing. 

“We are definitely strengthened,” said Shields, who says it had become increasingly difficult to meet with youth in a conference space, especially as they continue to grow in numbers. 

“Now we have the capacity to have a lot more teens come to a beautiful space that a lot of people put work into. The teens feel that and want to bring their friends to see this cool place to go.”

For more information, visit vagabondmissions.com/okc.

Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photo: (Top) Archbishop Coakley celebrated Mass and blessed the new Vagabond Missions youth center on Sept. 12 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. Fr. Joseph Arledge (right) is the pastor at St. Patrick. Photos Fran Kozakowski/Sooner Catholic.


Dcn. Duane Fischer, Joe Cipriano, Archbishop Coakley and Dcn. Fernando Marin Garcia at the blessing of ‘Underground’ for Vagabond Missions.


Fr. Joseph Arledge and community members celebrated the blessing of the new youth center.