About 'Totus Tuus'
Totus Tuus (Latin for “Totally Yours”) is a fun and energetic, 5 day parish-based summer catechetical program for youth entering 1st through 12th grade. Totus Tuus gathers together four college students and seminarians onto teams and sends them out to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in various parishes throughout the Diocese of Columbus.
The 5 Pillars of Totus Tuus
These five pillars serve as indicators of the Catholicity of the Totus Tuus program. A longing for true holiness, being open to daily conversion, and exploring one’s vocation happen when each of these pillars is witnessed by the young people who attend a week of Totus Tuus.
Eucharistic Devotion
A central focus on Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
The Eucharist has pride of place in the Totus Tuus schedule, for both team members and youth. Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Angelus, the Chaplet of Divine
Mercy and Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament provide the structure, but the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the “source and summit” of the daily schedule.
Marian Devotion
To inspire all to take Mary as their model and Pray the Rosary.
Totus Tuus catechists and counselors will lead the young people to Jesus for a week; however, Mary will lead them to Jesus for a lifetime. Therefore, Totus Tuus promotes Marian devotion. Meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, we come to see how Mary always leads us to her Son. Praying with her and to her, we hear her say to us, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).
Catechetical Instruction
A comprehensive proclamation of the Gospel and Church teachings.
An authentic catechesis, rooted in God’s revelation of Himself through the person of Jesus Christ, provides the foundation of the program’s teaching. Totus Tuus aims to help your child to grow in the understanding of, strengthen their Faith in, and, most importantly, develop an intimate friendship with Jesus Christ.
Our Methods
Proclamation of the Gospel
To arouse faith
Totus Tuus joins the Church in her proclamation of the Gospel to arouse faith in the youth of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
Fun
A great time for all our children and teens!
Finally, Totus Tuus demonstrates that one can be a faithful Catholic and still have fun. Morning “pump up,” silly skits and songs, recess, water fights in the parish, and all of the many Totus Tuus Olympic challenges, infuse the element of fun in the program.
Explanation
Examination of the reasons for our beliefs
Ready with “an explanation...for the reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15), Totus Tuus catechists expound upon the reasons for our beliefs and share their personal testimonies with the young people.
Celebration of the Sacraments
Especially Holy Eucharist and Confession
The daily schedule of the Totus Tuus teacher revolves around the Mass, the Sacraments and prayer. A summer given entirely to God and the young people of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus would not be possible otherwise.
Vocational Discernment
Encouraging youth to discern their vocation through the pursuit of holiness and conversion.
Totus Tuus strives to foster Christian
vocations by encouraging young
people to begin discerning God’s call in their life to be married, a priest, a
religious or a consecrated single. Team members sign a “covenant” in which they promise to be open to and actively discern God’s will for them. Because they are striving to live an authentic Christian life and are actively discerning their vocation, they can better help the youth to do the same.
Christian Witness
An experience of Christian living
Pope Paul VI wrote, "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41). With this in mind, Totus Tuus team members are immersed in a life of prayer and give witness to the fruits of that experience of Christian living to the youth.
Monday, July 10 - Friday, July 14
9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Schedule
During the week, the children will participate in four classes each day, have the opportunity for Reconciliation, attend daily Mass together, learn the Mass parts and liturgical songs, and participate in games, icebreakers, skits, songs, recess, and prayer. At the end of the week, on Friday afternoon, all afternoon classes will be replaced by social recreation and water games.
Curriculum
Totus Tuus encourages children to be clear and consistent in their faith. They are shown how to hear God's personal call through prayer and self-gift, and how to live a Christian life at home with their family.
The 2023 Curriculum for Totus Tuus--which is grounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church--is based upon the Mystery of Salvation and The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
MYSTERY OF SALVATION
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
Teen Program
The Teen Program is for teenagers going into the
7th grade through 12th grade.
Sunday, July 9 - Thursday, July 13
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Schedule
The Teen Program involves witness talks, games/skits, catechesis, and small group discussions. The end of every evening includes Night Prayer together inside the Church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Curriculum
The goal of this program is to encounter the youth with solid catechesis through witness and evangelization immersed in the Catholic understanding of prayer and worship, especially in Adoration/Eucharist and Reconciliation being made available.
Program Pricing
Breakdown
The cost per child is based on Totus Tuus program needs. A discount is provided when you register 3 or more children, capping the cost at $100.
This cost includes:
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Trained Diocesan Team Members to run the camp
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Liturgical Needs for Daily Mass
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Snacks
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Materials for activities and games