In recent decades there has been an increased desire among post-college Catholic young adults for an intentional and immersive experience of community, mission, and growth in faith. While national research shows a decline in people identifying as Christian, Newman Centers reverse this trend (CARA study, 2002). The Catholic Church is present at an incredible number of secular universities in our country. When students attend and get involved at a Newman Center, it gives a fundamental orientation and direction for lifelong Catholic faith.
Yet, the young people of the universities are often full time students. They give and participate in what they can, but there is, for some, a desire to go deeper if given time and support. In the past few decades, our country has seen an increase in post-college opportunities for young people to go deeper in faith, community, prayer, and discernment.
Over the past two years, we at St. Catherine’s have been discerning if it’s possible to provide a distinctively Dominican option within this growing field. With preparation, and initial financial assistance for the program, we hope to have our first class of in-residence Dominican Missionaries of St. Catherine starting the summer of 2023.
These missionaries will enter into the heart of Dominican spirituality. Immersed in the life of liturgical prayer, study in the Dominican tradition, living together in community, and engaged in mission, they will have unique and powerful opportunities to grow in faith, serve the missionary mandate of Our Lord, and gain some direction on their future vocation.
If young people respond to this invitation, they may be selected to join the program. Missionaries will be responsible for fundraising (from their family, friends, and parish communities) the money necessary to fund their year as a missionary (St. Catherine’s won’t be paying for the missionaries). The Missionaries will live alongside our undergraduate resident campus ministers (AKA Residents), on the 3rd and 4th floor residences at St. Catherine’s.
If you would like more details about this new program, please visit www.dmscs.org.
If you have any questions, please speak with Fr. Cody or Fr. Gabriel.
By virtue of our mission, St. Catherine’s is a community of gift. Through everything that we do, and make possible, we are giving the gift of faith to the younger generations. We are preparing them for leadership in the Church, and for a life of witness and testimony to the Gospel. This is an incredible treasure, and we thank all of the members of our community who make these many gifts possible.
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