Eddie Cotter Jr, the founder of DTS in America, gives an overview of this Catholic youth apostolate which draws on the lives of saints to inspire the youth of today.
DTS chapters have recently been established in a number of dioceses in Ireland – including Moyross in Limerick.
About DTS
source – www.deadtheologianssociety.com
What is the Dead Theologians Society?
The Dead Theologians Society is a Catholic apostolate for high school age teens and college age young adults. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow. A special charism of the Dead Theologians Society is to pray for the release of the Souls in Purgatory.
Its motto is, “Dead to the World, alive in Christ!” This is inspired by Romans 6:11 where St. Paul tells us to be dead to sin but alive in Christ Jesus.
How is this Accomplished?
Society members meet at their parishes to learn the lives of the Saints (who are only dead by the world’s standards and are certainly alive with Jesus in Heaven!), their heroic virtue and listen to their inspirational writings. Using the interesting and engaging DTS format and through the examples of the Saints, young people are catechized and develop positive role models at a time when they are truly needed. In addition, members make use of time honored Catholic prayers, devotions and sacramentals such as, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and more!
What is the History of the Dead Theologians Society?
Inspired by the lives of the Saints, DTS began in 1997 at St. Francis de Sales Church in Newark, Ohio as a parish program for high school teenagers. In a prayerful and intriguing atmosphere of Gregorian chant music, incense and effective candle lighting, teens regularly packed the 125 year old church’s undercroft chapel to discover treasures of the Catholic faith.
As news of this effective teen program spread, representatives from surrounding parishes visited St. Francis de Sales Church and began chapters of their own. Appearances on the Eternal Word Television’s teen show, Life on the Rock, as well as numerous articles in Catholic and secular publications, catapulted the Dead Theologians Society onto the international scene and highlighted the society as a faithful and effective response to Pope John Paul II’s call for “a new evangelization for the third millennium.” As news about DTS continues to spread, new chapters continue to form.
Commonly reported fruits of the apostolate are:
- Increased Mass attendance among teens and young adults !
- Increased use of Sacraments, especially Confession and Communion !
- VOCATIONS to the priesthood and religious life !
- Increased participation in parish life among teens and young adults !
- Increased involvement in parish life among post-confirmation teens !