Every year at this time in the diocese, there are several parishes and one diocesan office busily preparing for summer.
We are blessed in the Diocese of Madison to host an annual Totus Tuus program.
Every summer, we hire faithful young adults to give witness to the truth about Christ and share their journeys of faith with youth in our parishes.
During Totus Tuus, these young adults share the Gospel, teach the Catechism, spend time with the children in prayer and Sacraments, and have tons of fun!
Totus Tuus is a Latin phrase meaning “totally yours” and was the motto of St. John Paul II. He took his motto from St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary.
Totus Tuus signifies our longing to give ourselves entirely to Jesus through Mary.
In our diocesan efforts, our mission is to inspire in young people a longing for holiness, a deep desire for conversion of heart, and openness to their vocation by constantly challenging them to grow in relationship with Jesus and Mary.
What we do on a Totus Tuus week
Totus Tuus began in 1987 in Wichita, Kan., and now exists in 49 dioceses all over the country.
Every year, Totus Tuus prays for and calls upon seminarians and college students from our diocese and across the country to carry this mission to every young person, volunteer, and family they encounter in their time as a Totus Tuus missionary.
These young adults are hired for their enthusiasm, their love for Christ and the Church, and their personal commitment to the spiritual life and Sacraments.
They in turn offer this life of faith as a personal witness of what it means to give one’s whole life to Christ.
A typical week includes daily Mass, Confession, Rosary reflections, games, skits, and age-relevant catechesis.
Each team that is sent out to serve the parishes consists of two women and two men.
They are invited to a different parish each week to conduct a mission-like experience for grade school, junior high, and high school students.
While visiting a community, the team spends time with families and shares their mission with the whole parish on the weekends.
Engaging families
This year, the Totus Tuus schedule and plan has an evening for families to come together, have a dinner, and spend time growing in faith and prayer.
We are blessed to have Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison as a guest at most of the parishes on their family formation night of Totus Tuus.
Interested in Totus Tuus?
If you would like your children or family to participate in Totus Tuus, check out madisondiocese.org/totustuus to see which parish nearby is hosting.
Contact information is available there for each host parish.
For general information regarding Totus Tuus, contact Michelle Nilsson in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 608-821-3160 or totustuus@madisondiocese.org
Meet the summer 2022 Totus Tuus team members
It has been a busy year. Bishop Hying, along with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Office of Vocations, forged ahead and created a schedule for two separate Totus Tuus teams, who will each visit five parishes and assist with Love Begins Here for one week this summer.
Each team will consist of two seminarians and two young women.
Kaiden Neumaier
I live near Cross Plains and belong to St. Peter Parish in Ashton. I have 11 siblings and enjoy working at a nearby farm and helping neighbors with different projects. I have been a participant of Totus Tuus for several years and I am looking forward to meeting many new friends across the diocese.
Barry Meinholz
My name is Barry Meinholz and I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison. This is my second year on Totus Tuus and I am looking forward to another great summer. I grew up in Cross Plains and my home parish is St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains. I just graduated from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn. I will be attending St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Milwaukee in the fall for theology studies.
Ally Kysely
Hello friends! I just finished my first year of undergrad at UW-Madison studying Spanish education. I can’t wait to spend my life helping and teaching kiddos. I also absolutely love spending time in God’s creation outside, especially by the lakes. You can usually find me in the chapel, at the tennis court, or biking downtown.
Sarah Breuer
I am so excited to return to Totus Tuus for my third summer and to see all the people that I have met in years past! I grew up in Glen Haven, Wis., studied soil and crop science at UW-Platteville, and have served not only on Totus Tuus but also served for a year with NET Ministries and another year with the Diocese of Madison Xavier Mission Team! In my free time, you will find me at my family farm, in a coffee shop, or enjoying small-town visits and local eats with my friends.
Anna Mercord
I am going to be a junior studying biomedical engineering at UW-Madison. I enjoy being involved in St. Paul Catholic Student Center and have grown in my faith through the community there. I also love skiing, dancing, walking by the water, and spending time with friends and family. I am incredibly excited to see how God’s plan unfolds this summer through Totus Tuus!
David Marrone
Hello, all. My name is David Marrone. I am a seminarian for the diocese and just completed my first year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn. I grew up in Middleton and am from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains. I enjoy spending time outdoors and playing sports. I am looking forward to seeing the diocese and getting an opportunity to share the goodness of our faith.
Bastien Wolfe
My name is Bastien Wolfe. I am a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison. I am 19 years old and about to enter my second year of formation. I enjoy running, cooking, and playing the trombone. I am very excited to serve the diocese as a missionary in Totus Tuus!
Veronica Wypasek
Hi! My name is Veronica Wypasek. I’m from a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I’m a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying theology and catechetics. I deeply love Mama Mary, the saints, and the Mass. I also enjoy baking, crafting, dancing, playing soccer, and watching movies (I can probably quote every Disney movie). This will be my second summer serving the Diocese of Madison on Totus Tuus. It is such a blessing to come back and share the faith with you. I’m so excited to encounter Jesus through Mary together this summer!