I joined Youth Apostles 44 years ago, two years after it was founded in 1979. In those days, we had about 15 members. Two were married and the rest were single men, most of whom had come from the high school Catholic Life Community at St. Anthony parish in Falls Church, VA.

As we come to God in prayer, seeking his will above every other concern and asking him to raise up leaders who will carry out what he desires for us, we have great confidence that the Holy Spirit works through our prayer and discernment to choose the leaders he is calling to these roles of service.

Lent is a sacred season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—a time to grow closer to Christ as we prepare for Easter. It’s not just about giving something up; it’s about making space for God and deepening our faith.

When I arrived at VT in 2013, I had little concern about my faith even though I grew up in a Christian household. Some close friends from my dorm, a Methodist and a Catholic, pushed me in my understanding of God and challenged my complacency. I felt I had to take my faith seriously, working through my unanswered questions and problems.

Hear from over 200 youth across the Arlington Diocese about how they are promoting a culture of life through essays, posters, and other media.

This April, assuming the official call of the Bishop that will confirm my discernment, my fellow Youth Apostles brothers, Eric and Sean, and I will be ordained to the transitional diaconate and, finally, one year later in 2026, to the ministerial priesthood. 

St. Francis’ love for his brothers has been a parallel inspiration for our community.

This October marked 10 years of marriage to my husband Joey Clem, a lifetime member of Youth Apostles.

Why would the founders of Youth Apostles claim St. Francis from among our three patrons as the “heart” of our community?