One summer of ministry has revealed God’s faithfulness in both the classroom and Theo’s own heart.
For seminarian Theo Loehr (on left), this summer has been an opportunity to discover what it means to serve, teach and trust God more deeply.
After completing his first year at St. John Vianney College Seminary, Theo began his first summer serving as a Totus Tuus missionary. Totus Tuus (“Totally Yours” in Latin) is a summer catechetical program where teams of college students and seminarians travel to parishes throughout the archdiocese to help youth grow in their faith. This summer, Theo is accompanying young people in their relationship with Christ while discovering how God continues to shape his own vocation.
“Serving with Totus Tuus has been an incredible opportunity to give back to the archdiocese while sharing the faith with children and families,” Theo said. “It’s been a privilege to see how God is working not only in the lives of the kids, but also in my own.”
The life of a Totus Tuus missionary is full. Long days of teaching, leading activities, praying with students, and traveling from parish to parish can be physically and mentally exhausting. Yet Theo has found that some of the most difficult moments have become opportunities to rely more deeply on the Lord.
“There have been many days when I’ve been completely worn out and still had several classes left to teach,” he shared. “In those moments, I simply ask God for the grace to keep going. Time after time, He has provided exactly what I need. I’ll begin teaching with renewed energy, and at the end of the day I’m reminded that I couldn’t do this on my own. It’s entirely through God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit.”
While Theo has experienced God’s faithfulness in his own life, one of his greatest joys has been watching young people grow in confidence throughout the week.
“It’s amazing to meet the students on the first day. Many of them already have a strong foundation in the Faith, but they’re often hesitant to share what they know. By the middle of the week, they’re asking thoughtful, challenging questions about God and the Church that even surprise me.”
Those conversations have become a reminder that the Holy Spirit is at work long before the missionaries arrive.
“Seeing their curiosity and desire to know Christ more deeply is incredibly humbling,” Theo said. “At the same time, their questions challenge me to continue growing in my own understanding of the faith. God is teaching all of us.”
