I am studying communications arts with an emphasis in journalism at Chadron State College and I will be a junior when I go back in the fall. Just to keep up my skills, I plan to write a brief article or paragraph about the Totus Tuus program for the weekly newsletter.
Totus Tuus means “Totally Yours.” It was a part of St. John Paul II’s pontificate and the idea is that by totally giving ourselves to Mary, we grow closer to her son Jesus. Every year, the program focuses on a different set of mysteries of the rosary. This year’s focus is on the sorrowful mysteries. We will also be focusing on the virtues.
The Grand Island Diocese has three Totus Tuus teams of four members each. The teams spent three days in Lincoln training with six Lincoln Diocese teams and two teams from Vermont. After three days in Lincoln, training moved to St. Gregory’s Seminary in Seward. Training in Seward was described as “drinking from a fire hose.” Following that intense week, the teams were sent out to teach at their first parishes.
This is the first summer of teaching Totus Tuus for all of the teachers in the Grand Island Diocese. But like they told us at training, you become a veteran after the first Tuesday of your first week.
We are all currently in our second week of teaching Totus Tuus and so far, everyone we have met with the program has been magnificent. Everyone is very welcoming and willing to help us and are accepting of any request we give them. The students at our first parish, Holy Rosary in Alliance, were a great first group of kids to work with and we are excited to get to know and teach the students of Sts. Peter & Paul in St. Paul this week.
Totus Tuus is a great way for us teachers to give our witnesses to the faith and also spread our faith. We are lucky for the opportunity and are definitely enjoying the time with the students thus far.
Jordyn Hulinsky