To celebrate the launch of the Lumen Gentium Forum, a program of CAAP-Canada in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Toronto hosted by the Newman Centre, program coordinators Brendan Steven and Robin D’Souza took time to explain the program, who it is designed for, and how you or someone you know can become involved.

Saint John Henry Newman famously wrote, “God has created me to do Him some definite service.” We have all been made for a mission from God: to sanctify the world and make Christ known to others. For those seeking to fully live their Christian mission—especially in their professional work—we are excited to share the launch of a new fellowship program in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Lumen Gentium Forum. If you want to develop as a leader who can make an impact for the Church and the common good of society, this is the program for you!

Participants in the Lumen Gentium Forum will join other young Catholic professionals for an eight-month long experience of intellectual and spiritual formation with a focus on exploring the richness of the Church’s social doctrine and virtuous leadership principles in conversation with top Catholic leaders.

As a Lumen Gentium Fellow, you’ll discover what this doctrine has to say about your own professional work, the most pressing issues facing our society, and how you can apply its principles in your industry, institution and civic engagement. Through the Forum, you will develop a vision of the common good that will inspire your personal mission and help you become an authentic leader. Such leaders are rooted in prayer, Christian community, and love for Christ and his Church. Fellows will begin each meeting with Eucharistic Adoration, followed by dinner and wine, then talks from top Catholic leaders and small-group discussions about what we are learning.

We invite applications to the program from working Catholic professionals in any industry between the ages of 25 and 40, who want to fully live their calling to be a “light to the nations” by becoming a generous leader, exemplifying Christ’s love and mission in their workplace, career, and civil society. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. You can find all the details on the program website, www.LumenForum.ca, including the application process. Check out our FAQ if you have any questions, or contact the program coordinators—Brendan Steven and Robin D’Souza—directly, at brendan@lumenforum.ca and robin@lumenforum.ca.

Through the Lumen Gentium Forum, we are building up the next generation of Catholic leaders for the Church and for society—will you be one of them?