Faith and Frozen Exploration
By Isaiah Seymour, DCHS senior Over Christmas break, 12 senior Ut Fidem students traveled to Iceland for a discernment pilgrimage. Read...
top of page
.png)
What is Ut Fidem?
Ut Fidem, from a longer Latin phrase meaning “Keep the Faith,” strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith for the rest of their lives, and especially through college.
Ut Fidem supports students through weekly small groups of 5-6 and are actively discipled by an adult faith mentor. Students learn how to defend their Catholic faith, and develop deep, personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Groups grow their devotion to personal prayer, the Sacramental life, understanding of Church teachings, and enter into the lifestyle of an on-fire Catholic. By forming virtuous relationships with one another, groups develop deep relationships with Jesus Christ and are able to answer the question, "Why am I Catholic?"
Our Vision
In partnership with the Holy Spirit, Ut Fidem seeks to strengthen the future of the Catholic Church by investing in those who are at the most decisive point in their Catholic journey. 74% of former Catholics report they stopped identifying as Catholic between the ages of 10 and 20, with a median age of 13. Investing in the youth of the Church means investing in its future. As pews continue to grow more empty, there has never been a more critical time to introduce students, our brothers and sisters, to the person of Jesus Christ and His Church; mainly, who they were made for, and what they are made for.
A Growing Need
74% of former Catholics report they stopped identifying as Catholic between the ages of 10 and 20, with a median age of 13.
Going, Going, Gone
(St. Mary's Press, 2018)
39% of young adults (18-29) are “none” (more than 3x the rate of “none” seniors aged 65+). Today’s young adults are 4x more likely to be “none” than young adults in the previous generation.
Of young people ages 13-25 with no adult mentors, 24% say they never feel their life has meaning and purpose. However, for those with even one adult mentor, this number drops to 6%.
The State of Religion in Young People, (Springtide, 2020)
A Proven Solution
By the end of year five at Dowling Catholic High School, Ut Fidem grew to involve 62 active small groups, or 333 students, which was nearly 24% of the student body.
Ut Fidem alumni were 59% more likely to attend Mass 4+ times a month than non-Ut Fidem alumni in their senior year of college.
77% of Ut Fidem alumni identified themselves as active Catholics, compared to only 50% of non-Ut Fidem alumni.
Ut Fidem alumni are more likely to be committed to their faith, feel more confident in defending it, continue growing in their faith in college, and engage in faith behaviors like daily prayer, Mass, reconciliation, and faith groups than non-Ut Fidem alumni.
Is God calling you to explore Ut Fidem?
1400 Buffalo Road, WDM, IA
515-222-1084
"The Most Successful Youth Ministry in the Country"
Holy Conundrums Podcast
Hear Ut Fidem Director, Addie Croegaert talk with Everett Fritz of Andrew Ministries about the start of Ut Fidem.
"They tell the story of developing this unique campus ministry program and the incredible success Addie has seen by developing small groups with spiritual mentors. Both in numbers and in culture, the dedication of the student body to the practice of the Faith, coupled with the “reverse statistic” of how they keep their faith in college and are driven to mentor others themselves speak to a shocking effectiveness. Addie talks practicals about finding mentors who are already disciples, but also the intangible power of asking God to guide her steps."
bottom of page