Totus Tuus Missionary Formation: In the Footsteps of the Canadian Martyrs

The following was written by James Cyfko, a seminarian at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto currently working as a summer student at the Office of Catholic Youth.

Totus Tuus, which translates as “Totally Yours” in English, was the papal motto of St. John Paul II. Written by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, this prayer signifies the complete surrender every Christian is called to make to Jesus, through the hands of Mary.

This summer, I am working at the Office of Catholic Youth as a seminarian intern. Part of my role is to help train the Totus Tuus missionaries. The missionaries are comprised of young university students and graduates who desire to devote their summer to running catechetical camps for children and teenagers across parishes within the Archdiocese of Toronto. Before the five weeks in which the missionaries will serve at parishes, they are trained for four. The ratio of training to active ministry in the parishes seems high. The plenteous time for preparation, however, is meant to form the young adults into the best version of themselves for the purpose of evangelization. As a Totus Tuus missionary in 2017 and 2018, I have experienced the fruits of the formation weeks firsthand. It helped me realize the way God wanted me to reach the children and teenagers with His message.

The missionaries have finished the most difficult part of training – a week-long walking pilgrimage. They walked from St. James Parish, Colgan, to Martyrs’ Shrine, Midland, in the footsteps of the Canadian saints. 

It was not always easy. The weather was unpredictable, there were early mornings, bugs were feasting on the trails, washroom breaks were not cozy, and blisters were abundant. The missionaries were not even allowed to bring their phones or watches! The time during the day, which the pilgrims could only identify by the movement of the sun, was spent on prayer and fellowship instead.

At the end of the pilgrimage, the transformation in the hearts of each missionary was visible, powerful, and inspirational. I had announced to the group that they could take their phones and watches back. To my surprise, it was a struggle to empty the box which was storing their devices. They were reluctant to clutch at the object which had previously, for many of them, prevented their attention from resting in the Lord and His personal love for them. They were free. They were living in the moment. They were satisfied by their relationship with the Lord. One of the returning missionaries, Alister Puthenpadath, noted, “The walking pilgrimage was a time for me to open my heart to the Lord, just relying on God and His providence. This will help me give myself totally while on mission.” As to why being a Totus Tuus missionary is helpful for a young adult, he noted, “It was life-changing and edifying giving my whole summer to the Lord. Through evangelizing the kids, I was evangelized by Christ. It was a win-win situation!”

In experiencing the joy of this surrender, the missionaries will convincingly share the freeing love of Christ with the children and teenagers they will encounter. Surrender is an ongoing action. It is not merely a state of being. So, throughout the summer, pray for the missionaries to choose to give their constant “Yes!” as they minister at a Parish near you.  

For more information on Totus Tuus Summer Camp dates and locations, please click here.