What is Totus Tuus?
Totus Tuus: A Parish Catechetical Day Camp! For students entering grades 1 – 12.
Totus Tuus is a dynamic summer program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith among children and teenagers. The program began in 1987 as a vacation bible school program in the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas. In 2022, the Diocese of Venice launched its pilot program, with great success. The Diocese received many requests from parents to continue the program, which has continued and expanded each year.
The program includes:
- Day Program for Grades 1-6: Activities include catechetical instruction, prayer, daily Mass, songs, games, and recess.
- Evening Program for Grades 7-12: Focuses on engaging teens through evening sessions that include witness talks, small group discussions, prayer opportunities, and social activities
- Faith Formation: Deepening understanding of the mysteries of the Rosary and the Apostles’ Creed.
- Community Building: Fun and interactive icebreaker activities, group games, and community service projects.
- Spiritual Growth: Daily Mass, Adoration, and opportunities for Confession.
Join us in the summer for faith, fun, and friendship as we grow closer to Christ together!
Want to be a Totus Tuus Missionary this summer? Apply here.
Applications are now open for college-age young adults to serve as Totus Tuus Missionaries for the 2026 Parish evangelization and catechesis Summer Program. This role involves traveling in teams to approximately seven parishes throughout the Diocese, leading catechetical sessions for children and youth. During each parish week, missionaries lead daytime sessions for elementary students (grades 1–6) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and evening sessions for middle and high school youth (grades 7–12) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Responsibilities include teaching the Catholic Faith using the Totus Tuus curriculum, facilitating activities, including skits and songs, working collaboratively as a team, teaching about the Mass, leading in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, leading discussion groups for teenagers and leading Night Prayer. This is a paid position.
Missionaries must be present for a required training period from May 20–30, followed by weekly parish assignments through July 24, with a scheduled break from June 28–July 4. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and a high school graduate.
For more information contact Andres Prias, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, 941-441-1122.
For Parishes: “Apply to be a missionary” poster can be found here.
View highlights from Totus Tuus 2025, above!
Thinking About Being a Totus Tuus Missionary?
Hear from one of our former teams during Training Week!
Watch video below!
More About Totus Tuus: The Five Pillars
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is an integral part of the Totus Tuus schedule. Prayer provides the structure, but the celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Mass is the “source and summit” of the daily schedule.
Marian Devotion
Totus Tuus catechists and counselors (missionaries) lead young people of the program to Jesus for a week, however, Mary will lead them to Jesus for a lifetime. Meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, we come to see how Mary always leads us to her Son.
Catechetical Instruction
Totus Tuus instructs young people on the tenets of the Catholic faith to cultivate both a firm intellectual grounding and a solid relationship with Jesus. All of our teachings aim to help young people grow in their faith and friendship with Jesus Christ.
Vocation Discernment
Totus Tuus strives to foster Christian vocations by encouraging young people to begin discerning God’s call in their lives. College-aged teachers sign a “covenant” in which they promise to be open to and actively discern God’s will for them. Through this commitment, they can help others do the same.
Fun!
Totus Tuus demonstrates that one can be a faithful Catholic and still have fun. Morning “pump up,” silly skits and songs, recess and water fights at each parish infuse the element of fun into the program.
Grade School Program
- Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students entering grades 1 – 6.
- Children participate in four classes each day, attend daily Mass, learn the parts and liturgical songs of Mass, and participate in games, skits, songs, recess and prayer.
Junior & High School Program
- Monday – Friday from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12.
- Students participate in instruction, small group discussions, quiet meditations, prayer and fellowship.
