Forming a Disciple of Christ

Hello, my name is Ryan Mallett. I’m the sixth of eight children and live in Alberta, Canada. I currently work as a Team member for a Catholic Kids camp operated by the diocese of St. Paul, and just this past spring I completed my first year at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Bruno, SK.

St. Therese Institute is a post-secondary Catholic school providing adult faith and human formation in a common life of study, prayer, and fellowship, inspired by the life and teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux. The vision statement of the Institute is: “Forming disciples of Christ according to the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux”, and so far they have lived up to this vision in my life.

It’s not very often you hear somebody other than maybe your Grandma, let alone a young adult, say that they’re in love with Catholicism; but after my year at St. Therese Institute—having been introduced to Theology, Philosophy, Church History, and the Church’s teaching on Morality, Sexuality, etc. As well as the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux—I can sincerely say that I love Catholicism! I am grounded in reality more than ever before, and because of this I am living a more whole, unbroken and influential life; which will bring glory to God according to Saint Irenaeus, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”

I genuinely believe in the mission of this institute and the role that it is currently playing in the Church, because it is absolutely crucial for the world at this time to see that the Church not only has young members, but young members that are totally on fire for their faith! Among many things, this gives older generations hope for the future, and challenges younger generations to revise their inaccurate preconceived notions and beliefs about the Catholic Church.

Please consider supporting this fundraiser. I’ve done all I can, and now this matter is out of my hands and into yours (quite literally if you’re holding an iPhone.) Would you please consider helping me in raising my tuition and room & board? If you are unable to support this mission financially, please share this page with anybody and everybody. And know how grateful I am for even just your prayers! (most especially your prayers.)

And if you are able to donate, please feel free to write a prayer intention along with your contribution as I would like to pray for those who have supported me. I am not selling prayers (that’d be simony), but rather asking for the privilege of praying for you in a specific and intentional way throughout my year as you share in my journey.

. . .

My first year at St. Therese Institute was one of the most challenging yet blessed years of my life as I grew in knowledge of our faith and learned to take Saint Therese’s spirituality as my own. Just like most young people, I also desire to change the world for the better. But while most mistakingly believe the way to do this is through fighting political battles, implementing better legislation, or refining economics, Saint Therese of Lisieux has shown me the only actual way to do this is to love, on an individual basis… which sounds kinda vague and stereotypical, but it’s actually true and is often over-complicated or over-simplified. There is a good reason Saint Therese was made a Doctor of the Church!

I feel that my time at St. Therese Institute is not yet complete, and I still have so much more to learn and become within the context of this school. But as I had mentioned previously, this summer I’ve been working full-time as a Team member for a Catholic kids camp called Camp St. Louis. It’s a great work environment with a lot of good kids attending weekly, and my coworkers are fantastic people. We’re blessed to receive the sacraments daily and have the opportunity to impact kids in their faith. However, I hadn’t anticipated the call back to St. Therese Institute for a 2nd year when I accepted the position, and the payroll at camp isn’t nearly enough to send me back to school, as money is not the focus of camp work. So I would like to kindly ask you for aid in my pursuit of formation and education in our Catholic faith, for the good of the whole body of Christ!

Thank you so much, and may God Bless you in your prayers and generosity!

Bonus >>> Here is a promotional video I produced for the Institute: