While every aspect of the year is designed to “form” the missionaries, formation refers to committed time to study and explore Catholic Missionary Spirituality. The spirit is formed through prayer and exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The mind is formed through studying Holy Scripture, teachings of the Church, and spiritual reading. The will is formed through humility and obedience to Life Teen Missions’ Rule of Life. Formation primarily takes place in a small group setting facilitated by Life Teen Missions leadership and guest speakers. Main themes include: Identity, Scripture and Prayer, Disciple’s Heart, Missionary Action, Evangelization, Missionary Spirituality, Mary and Life Teen Core Values, and Theology of the Body, Salvation History, as well as fundamental topics in theology.
Additionally, Life Teen Missions formation is a hands-on mission experience developing youth ministry skills, public speaking, teaching, organization, logistics coordination, and leadership to serve the missionary movement of Life Teen. We form young adults to be missionary in the everyday! Life Teen missionaries are the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in their communities. Missionaries learn to turn all aspects of their daily life into mission. The very identity of the Church is missionary, therefore the very identity of each of Her members must be missionary as well. By our baptism, we are missionary. It is not just what we do; it is who we are. St. John Paul the Great encouraged us to “become who you are.” As we do that, we find that we are missionary. Specific opportunities include local outreach, leading retreats, foreign mission trip, and assisting with Life Teen Summer Camp. In addition, missionaries will work alongside Life Teen staff in various fields. This could include camp work projects and office work.