MADISON — On March 3, Bishop Robert C. Morlino issued a Decree Conferring Private Juridic Personality upon Dead Theologians Society. This decree, in fact, now allows the Dead Theologians Society (DTS) to function as a Private Diocesan Lay Association of the Faithful.
What started in 1997 as an idea with a group of teens in Florida who were part of a parish youth group, led by Eddie Cotter, Jr., has since grown to become an international apostolate.
Evangelizing youth
Over 500 parishes have used DTS to help evangelize their youth and young adults by effectively introducing teens and young adults to the lives of the great saints. The model also includes learning and praying the Rosary, Q&A, and intercessory prayer.The special charism of DTS is to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Approximately 12,000 young people have participated in DTS over its 18- year existence.
Move to Wisconsin
In 2002, an invitation of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who was then bishop of La Crosse, was extended to Eddie Cotter, Jr., to move from Ohio with the intention of setting up DTS headquarters in Wisconsin and expanding the apostolate.
In 2004, the national office of DTS was established in the Diocese of Madison, where it has remained ever since.
This decree from Bishop Morlino now makes the Diocese of Madison the official and permanent seat of the DTS apostolate.
DTS expands
DTS continues to expand and has a presence in over 45 states. The past five years has seen growth of the apostolate in Ireland.
Members of the apostolate are often recognized by their distinctive DTS “hoodie” which has an embroidered monstrance complete with its motto, Mortuum Mundo — Vivum in Christo, the Latin for “Dead to the World — Alive in Christ,” which is inspired by Romans 6:11 where St. Paul says to be dead to sin but alive in Christ Jesus.
Msgr. James Bartylla (now vicar general of the Diocese of Madison) hosted the first DTS meeting in the Diocese of Madison as part of a Confirmation retreat when he was pastor of St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff.
This led to the first official DTS chapter a year later under Fr. Rick Heilman. The Pine Bluff chapter is now in its 10th consecutive year.
Currently in the diocese there are also active DTS chapters at St. Francis Xavier in Cross Plains, Divine Mercy in Sauk City, St. Christopher in Verona, St. Ignatius in Mt. Horeb, St. Clement in Lancaster, St. Mary in Platteville, and St. John the Baptist in Jefferson.
For more information, visit www.DeadTheologiansSociety.com