Why would I participate in this experience?

• Develop skills to work with and be an amplifier for people on society's margins

• Make a difference in your community

• Gather leadership tools to become proactive leaders in all aspects of life

• Discern your call to leadership as a missionary disciple

• Create a sense of community by accompanying one another through life's challenges and joys

• Identify with Maryknoll and understand the Maryknoll charism of prophetic, authentic love in action

• Experience the integration of service and spirituality

• Deepen your understanding of the connectedness between faith and your unique call to do social justice, mission, and enter into deeper relationship with people who are marginalized through authentic encounter

Where are the experiences offered?

• New York City, Chicago, San Francisco/Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles Area, Seattle, and Digitally

How long is the experience?

• 18 months of mentorship, community building, and faith formation. This process is designed for anyone to facilitate intentional transformation of the heart and encounter with God. Cohort 2 will kick off in September 2022 and end in June 2024, with summer break in-between.

What are the learning objectives of the experience?

• To grow, be resourced, and rooted in:

  • relationship with God and personal calling

  • prophetic leadership development

  • authentic personal identity

  • Maryknoll identity

  • building community

  • being relevant justice leaders

  • solidarity with those on our margins and globally

What is the typical size of the group that participates in the experience?

• We keep our communities small, so we can have intentional and personal connections. Our communities range from 8-15 members.

What is the format of the experience?

• Meetings are held monthly (virtually and in-person depending on region)

• Engage in weekly reflection questions offline

• Service commitment

• Annual retreat experiences

• Summer Break!

• 2nd Year Immersion Trip

What are the requirements of this experience?

• Interest in making a difference in your community

• A willingness to be stretched, to grow, to challenge yourself, to face your privilege, and get uncomfortable so as to build a more inclusive and loving society

• Commitment to a service experience (discerned with the community leader if you work in social services, etc)

• Engagement as a vital member of the community for the entire process

What are the theological sources and methodology of the experience?

• Scripture

• Pope Francis' writings, including Joy of the Gospel and Laudato Si

• See - Judge/Discern - Act and Theory U methodology

• Accompaniment modeling and formation

• Missionary Discipleship Dynamic

What resources are provided with the experience?

• Community Building modeling, Theology of Young Adults, Leadership Development, Community Organizing, Intercultural Growth, Faith Formation, Care of Creation, Migration, Economic Justice, Missiology and the Church, Catholic Social Teaching, Art and Theology, Building Bridges, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Missionary Discipleship, and Discernment.

Why is Maryknoll offering these experiences?

• Building on its global experience, Maryknoll offers this program to young adults as the leaders of NOW: empowered to live a life of purpose and mission.

What does the experience cost?

• Suggested donation of $10/mo depending on ability to pay

• In the second year, participants take part in an immersion trip, in which the group will determine how to best offset the cost.

In what languages is the experience offered?

• English and Spanish