August 14, 2026
For it is in giving that we receive
Testimony of a Totus Tuus Missionary By Autumn Acosta
Vol. LXII, No. 9
One Church, East to West: Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, Sharing Jesus
DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD—CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
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Adoration (misspelled words penned in waxen crayon that are somehow more eloquent and beautiful than a dozen sonnets). In praying with the older kids and sharing stories and testimonies of God’s love. How is this all possible? Well, for one: prayer. One of my favorite things about being a Totus Tuus missionary is the way that Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are worked into our day. When I was first thinking about 2026 TOTUS TUUS MISSIONARIES—Twelve parishes saw 630 youth attend Totus Tuus applying to be a missionary, summer programming in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The team of energetic I was a little worried about young adults lead the children in games, skits, lessons, prayer, discussions and more for how we would fit so much summer 2026 were: (front) Autumn Acosta, Kaitie Coleman, Lydia Clements, Shandy Elfrink; prayer into our already (back row) diocesan seminarian Jackson Gaeta, Bishop Edward M. Rice, Mark Klockenkemper, crazy schedules. It wasn’t
hen I decided to return this year as a Totus Tuus Missionary for the Diocese of SpringfieldCape Girardeau, many of my friends asked me why? Why commit my summer to eight weeks of traveling? Why succumb myself to a constant lack of sleep? Why consign my days to the inevitable stresses that come from teaching large groups of kids? Their questions were perfectly legitimate, but so was my answer. It is absolutely true that a summer of Totus Tuus is a summer of almost seminarian Thomas Dittmer, and Johnny Streeter. (The Mirror) constant self-giving. But it is likewise true that through serving as a Totus Tuus talking about the stamina that drives missionary, you receive far more than you a tired missionary to give their all to give. an arena-style gaga ball tournament There’s a certain grace that allows (complete with screaming, chanting, a missionary to find authentic joy in the and “Lord of the Rings” battle music), form of children pouring bottles upon a game of Ultimate Cabbage (think bottles of chocolate, strawberry, and ultimate frisbee, but replace the caramel syrup in their hair. In hearing flying disc with a cabbage coated in the distinct noise of aerosol-propelled dish soap), or an all-out water fight whipped cream as it’s sprayed next (you have to see it to believe it!) at to their ear. In feeling the sprinkles, the end of the week. marshmallows, and other random toppings There’s something sacred, that might coat their arms and legs as the something priceless, in watching missionary becomes a human sundae at the children and teenagers you’re the hands of the youth at Totus Tuus. spending time with grow in There’s a special strength that their faith. In hearing them sing, comes in the form of illogical energy “Sanctuary,” while going up to amidst weeks of low sleep. And I don’t receive Jesus during daily Mass. just mean the extra kick that comes from In reading the letters that the 1st an afternoon cup (or two) of coffee—I’m and 2nd graders write to Jesus in
“The summer saw a total of 630 youth participating in Totus Tuus across 12 parishes,” said Simon Elfrink, diocesan Associate Director of Youth Ministry. “The model of Totus Tuus is fairly simple: small teams of young-adult missionaries (usually two boys and two girls per team) travel to parishes across our diocese.” The summer schedule included: • • •
The next issue of The Mirror will be August 28, 2026. Sign up to receive the diocesan newspaper via Email in digital format: Contact Debbie Thompson at (417) 866-0841, or Email: dthompson@dioscg.org.
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ADORATION—Totus Tuus grade school youth wrote notes to Jesus while in Eucharistic Adoration in St. Lawrence Parish, New Hamburg, June 21-26. Since 2018 in southern Missouri, the Totus Tuus summer youth program has promoted the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness,worship, and fun. (The Mirror)
and songs, and more,” Elfrink said. “The middle- and high-schoolers participate in the evening program of Totus Tuus, with elements resembling a typical youth retreat: witness testimonies, small groups, and tons of competitive games. Marian devotion, daily Mass, regular confession, and Eucharistic Adoration are
June 14-19—Portageville & Bolivar June 21-26—New Hamburg & Ozark June 28-July 3—Mountain View & Joplin July 12-17 — Ironton & Aurora July 19-24—Leopold & Neosho July 26-31—Dexter & Monett
“A team will spend a week at a given parish and spend their mornings and afternoons leading the grade school kids in classroom-style catechesis, wacky skits,
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Totus Tuus at St. Lawrence Parish, Monett. (The Mirror)
all staples of Totus Tuus.” “The Youth Endowment Fund pays over half of the costs associated with a parish hosting Totus Tuus,” said Lynn Melendez, diocesan Director of Evangelization, Family Life, and Youth & Young Adult Ministry. “We ask participants to pay $15 a person ($45 max per family) and the Youth Endowment Fund covers the rest of the expenses associated with hosting Totus Tuus,” Melendez said. “Smaller parishes really benefit the most from that financial assistance.” “I love Totus Tuus because it allows the young people to encounter Christ and his Church in a setting they’re familiar with—the parish—through the witness of young adults who are on fire for their faith,” said Elfrink. “The Christian faith is, by nature, a personal religion in that the entire life of Faith is centered around a person: Jesus Christ.” ©TM