The Youth Congregation was an “elite” group of youth, but not in the social snobbish sense of elite because it was open to all classes.
Pielorz researched the membership of the Congregation and wrote/
On the social composition, he did not make any distinction between nobles, bourgeois, and the working class. When the poor were in need, the richer ones made collections so as to help them. In a word, Father de Mazenod welcomed all young men who wanted to grow in virtue, without any distinction based on their origins or the economic position of their family; the minimum age was ten years.
PIELORZ, Les rapports du Fondateur, p. 160.
It was elite in the sense that each one was specially chosen because Eugene realised that this young person possessed personal qualities that could be developed, and he would consequently make a difference to his environment. [ed. Refer above to the entry of September 15, 2011]
You know what my intention is in setting up this association: it is to form Christians worthy of bearing the name…
Letter to Forbin-Janson, June 1814, O.W. XV n. 125
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” Romans 10:12