Apply to be a Lumen Christi Missionary
Three Ways You Can Serve as a Missionary
Summer Lumen Christi is a formation program for young adults that provides discipleship formation for the missionaries while giving them the opportunities to serve through parish outreach, evangelization programs, one-on-one discipleship, small group ministry and more.
Missionaries will be on a team of 2-6 individuals and will typically serve from the end of May through the beginning of August with a little break around the 4th of July. There will be a week of training at the end of May before being sent off to spend a week at a time in a parish.
The team offers different forms of ministry to the parish based on the parish’s needs. The options range from grade school ministry (similar to VBS), Family ministry, youth ministry, or another individualized form of ministry the parish is interested in.
Missionaries are paid a biweekly stipend and all room and board is taken care of for the summer. Some team members may also volunteer to be the driver of their team and will be reimbursed mileage for the use of the vehicle.
Missionary Qualifications:
- Young adults who are longing to give themselves more fully to Christ and are eager to grow in their life of prayer and discernment.
- Applicants who will make good teammates and desire to grow in their understanding of true friendship and healthy community.
- Applicants who are hungry for the adventure that Lumen Christi provides!
Our Year Round Lumen Christi Missionaries serve as a witness to the Catholic faith and encourages others to lifelong Catholic missionary discipleship through God’s love. While receiving intensive discipleship formation, a Missionary will provide outreach and evangelization opportunities to parishes and small groups throughout the diocese.
These missionaries serve throughout the academic year (typically beginning in September and serving through mid-May, with a Christmas break). Their emphasis is on discipleship and each missionary tends to have a specific ministry they are serving with (Collision, College Ministry, Schools, Parish, etc.).
Missionaries must raise a minimum of $6,000 in financial support for the mission prior to the start of the ministry commitment. Missionaries are paid on a salary basis. Contact us for more information regarding pay: discipleship@sfcatholic.org
Missionary Qualifications:
Primary:
- Baptized and Confirmed in the Catholic Church and a commitment to growing in the understanding of and devotion to the Catholic Faith
- Dedication to a strong personal prayer life
- Active in a parish or Newman Center
- Commitment to act as a personal witness to the Catholic faith by living both one’s professional and personal life in accordance with the doctrines and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
- Ability to commit to a rigorous schedule for the duration of the position
- Ability to be prudent in offering counsel and guidance regarding topics of faith and personal need
Education:
- Minimum of a high school degree
- A basic working knowledge of the Catholic faith
Frequently Asked Questions
While we offer some great programming and opportunities around the diocese, Lumen Christi is firstly a formation program for young adults in our diocese (that’s you!). Most people who apply to be missionaries do so because they desire to be formed deeply in prayer, discernment, friendship, and service of the Lord.
If you are feeling prompted to give of yourself more fully to God or feel like you could use some time to receive and discern God’s will for your life, you’ll fit right in. Our missionaries are individuals who are hungry for the love of God and desirous to share that love with others.
The primary work of our missionaries exists in three different categories:
Outreach and Evangelization
This is done by getting to know people, spending time with them and inviting them to engage in the faith to some degree through various opportunities.
Catechesis
Missionaries are equipped to give their testimony, share on specific topics of the faith, and lead simple catechism classes for children.
Discipleship
Missionaries spend time leading small group bible studies, engaging in 1-on-1 discussions about the faith, and leading “going deeper” opportunities throughout the diocese.
In short, we go where we are called and are ready at all times to give testimony to the love of Christ.
Currently our summer missionaries are not required to fundraise any money. Our Year Round Missionaries do have a fundraising requirement in order to serve. For more information on this reach out to our office at discipleship@sfcatholic.org.
Yes. All missionaries do receive pay depending on their commitment and role. More information can be found out about this in the Summer Missionary Information Packet.
Missionaries are allowed to have one backpack and one medium-sized suitcase. They are also asked to bring a sleeping bag and pillow for when they are staying at a retreat center. We also encourage you to bring a musical instrument if you play one (or are wanting to spend some time learning).
If you have a Liturgy of the Hours prayer book that would be helpful to bring, as the team prays Morning and Night prayer daily.
After an application is received, we’ll find a time for an interview either in person or over Zoom (plan for an hour).
Looking for More Info?
Fill out this short contact form and someone will be in touch with you offering further information!