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May 29, 2025The term “Totus Tuus” was a motto of the late Saint John Paul II. Its Latin meaning: “totally yours.”
Saint John Paul II understood the importance of educating the young. This year, many parishes in the archdiocese are investing in this program for the youth.
The program kicks off the week of June 1-7 at several parishes in the archdiocese and runs continually until finishing the week of July 19-26. Some of the parishes include Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Chickasha and Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
“We have been doing the program for nine years and it is very popular,” Carmen Santos-Heinen, director of religious education and youth ministry at Saint Charles Borromeo, said. “We have two teams for 180 participants. There are just a few vacancies and people can still sign up to the last minute. We don’t want anyone to miss the opportunity.”
The program is also in various parishes in the Diocese of Tulsa and Little Rock.
“Totus Tuus is a summer program that fuses the faith with fun and is led by faithful college students and young adults throughout the state of Oklahoma (both dioceses),” said program director Sarah Jameson. “It originated in the Diocese of Wichita and has been in this state since 2004.
“Since its inception, many of the clergy ordained in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Diocese of Tulsa were Totus Tuus missionaries, having served at least one summer during their seminarian formation. Totus Tuus has also fostered religious life for both men and women, and many faith-filled marriages.”
The program is administered by the Diocese of Tulsa. This year’s curriculum is focused on the Sacraments and Joyful Mysteries and is for children and youth in grades 1-12. Youth will meet Sunday through Thursday evenings, while children will meet daytime hours Monday through Friday.
“We absolutely love hosting Totus Tuus each year,” said Darby Heard, coordinator of youth and young adult evangelization at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman. “We collaborate with Saint Mark and Saint Thomas More to have a Norman-wide Totus Tuus program.
“One of the best parts about Totus Tuus is how readily available the sacraments are to the children and teens during the week. Daily Mass and confession happen during the day program, and the evening teens have the opportunity for adoration and confession as well. Totus Tuus does a great job of teaching the faith in ways that are tailored to each age range, so they can minister to littles up through high school.
“Totus Tuus really brings the community together as well, with many high school teens wanting to help during the day program as well as attending their evening youth time. One fun thing for me is that I served as a Totus Tuus missionary and was assigned to Saint Thomas More that summer.”
Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond has been hosting Totus Tuus for over a decade. Ninety attendees are expected for the morning youth program this year, with 20-30 teens in the evening.
“The program stays fresh to students as it changes every year,” said Adriana Adamson, children’s formation coordinator at the church. “The great thing about the program is that children have an opportunity to participate, plan and lecture at special Masses, participate in confession and work with counselors.
“Aside from fostering holy and healthy vocations, college students and young adults are given the tools and formation to be missionary disciples. The ‘program’ provides a deeper dive into the tenants of the faith based on the pillars of the Catechism, a deep Marian devotion through the teaching of the Mysteries of the Rosary, daily participation in the sacramental life, and regimented prayer that missionaries carry into their vocation.”
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: Youth played outside during Totus Tuus at Bl. Sacrament Catholic Church in
July 2023 in Lawton. Photo provided.