Summer catechetical program conducted at 29 parishes across the diocese
By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
This summer, the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln is buzzing with a lively mix of prayer, song, and laughter, thanks to the youth program Totus Tuus.
The Latin phrase Totus Tuus, translating to “Totally Yours,” was the papal motto of St. John Paul II and originates from St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to Mary.” It embodies the aspiration to devote oneself entirely to Jesus Christ through Mary. Approximately 3,000 children and teens are expected to participate in the program this summer, conducted at 29 parishes across the diocese.
Amy Reisen, diocesan coordinator of youth evangelization and discipleship, and organizer of Totus Tuus, said the program is different from the traditional vacation Bible school model.
“There is an intentionality about helping the children and young adults form a relationship with the Lord,” Reisen said. “Our mission really is to catechize and show them the joy of Christian community and the beauty of prayer.”
The weeklong program is split into two distinct components, with a daytime session for students entering grades one through eight, and an evening gathering for high school students. It aims to foster daily habits of discipleship with a heavy emphasis on the sacraments.
Totus Tuus is led by trained missionaries from the diocese, 24 trained college-aged men and women, who teach children of all ages to put a spotlight on sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. The goal of the week is to help the children develop a true and lasting longing for holiness.
The missionaries guiding the program at the McCook parish included team leader Addie DeFreece, from St. Mary Parish in Nebraska City. Even as an experienced Totus Tuus missionary, she said she continues to learn and grow each week.
“It’s an amazing opportunity. It’s very rewarding and has helped me grow in faith, trust and humility,” DeFreece said. “At the end of the day, we are teaching the foundation of our faith and we are having fun doing it. It shows everyone – the students, the missionaries, the volunteers, the parish, and the parents the joy of being Catholic.”
Joining DeFreece as missionaries on her team were Anna Vavek of St. Mary Parish in Ashland, Grant Jochum of Ss. Mary and Joseph Parish in Valparaiso, and Dylan Beck of St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln.
For Beck, Totus Tuus is a special opportunity to give his time and talent.
“I wish I had encountered Totus Tuus as a kid,” he reflected. “But now, I get to give this experience to others and bring them closer to Christ. Being on the team, I’ve recognized how powerful youth ministry is. It’s not just what we say, it’s how we live as a witness to God’s love.”
Fun is a major element of the overall program. This includes morning pump-ups, skits and songs, recess and water fights for younger participants, and the Totus Tuus tradition of turning a missionary into an ice cream sundae, complete with a cherry on top.
Jochum appreciates that Totus Tuus gives participants the chance to see that the Catholic faith is fun. He said he enjoyed observing the ways the kids’ faith grows over the five-day period.
“Children have so much joy,” Jochum said. “Being around them brings out the childlike traits in all of us.”
As a missionary, Vavek said the program is a time of great spiritual growth.
“It’s very exciting because the kids are so excited,” she said, adding that it can also be exhausting. “You feed off of their energy and experience their joy, at the same time you’re very dependent on the Lord.” The team agreed that Totus Tuus has strengthened their prayer lives. The missionaries have a daily holy hour, and pray the Liturgy of the Hours, rosary, and Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Catechesis and prayer are the focus of Totus Tuus. With a changing curriculum each summer, the program teaches basic tenets of the Catholic faith by examining the Apostles’ Creed, the mystery of salvation, the sacraments, the commandments, prayer, virtues, and the rosary. The schedule includes daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation, and time for prayer for all ages.
High school students participated in a revised format that includes a shared meal, talks, small group discussions, quiet meditations, prayer, and fellowship.
“The high school program has been transformed to better fit the busy schedule of teens and to allow the students to really see who the missionaries are,” Reisen said. “Each night has a theme with witness talks by the missionaries, followed by prayer and small group discussions.”
Alice Weber of St. Patrick in McCook appreciated the updated format and the chance to converse openly with the missionaries. “The talks were interesting and inspiring,” she said. “It was fun to get to know the missionary team and learn about their personal experiences.”
The impact of Totus Tuus is felt far beyond the immediate participants. Local support is crucial, with teen volunteers and parents contributing snacks and assistance throughout the week. Parish families host the missionaries during the program, and a Wednesday potluck allows all parishioners to experience the program’s spirit.
Learn more about Totus Tuus and other diocesan youth and young adult programs at www.lincolndiocese.org/youth.
