Mandatum is a 5-day, 4-night immersive experience held on the beautiful campus of Portsmouth Abbey, bringing together Catholic high school teens from across the diocese. This week provides an opportunity to form young men and women. Rooted in prayer and strengthened by the Sacraments, they will be equipped to embrace their call to holiness, mission, and responsibility in the Church and in the world. Our goal is bold and clear: to raise up a generation of saints who lead with wisdom and love, imitate Christ, and stand as a leaven of renewal and a witness to the Gospel in every sphere of society.
Hands-on training in leadership and evangelization
Lots of opportunities for prayer: Mass, Adoration, Confession, and the Liturgy of the Hours
Bonfires, games, and competitions
Free time, sports, and use of a workout center
Time in nature and fellowship with other Catholic teens
Who is Mandatum For?
Mandatum is for high school students who love their Catholic faith and are ready to grow as disciples and leaders. The ideal candidate is a teen who:
Wants to deepen their prayer life and relationship with Jesus through the sacraments and fellowship.
Desires to help their peers grow in faith.
Seeks to hear God’s voice and remain rooted in Him.
Wants to embody the heart of a Catholic leader—rooted in service, humility, and courage.
Hopes to understand their unique God-given gifts and how to put them to use for mission.
Aspires to discover practical ways to walk with others in discipleship and mission.
What Does Mandatum Mean?
Learn more
The Biblical Roots
The word Mandatum comes from the Latin for Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: “Mandatum novum do vobis”, “A new commandment I give you: love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). This command of love is the foundation of Christian leadership. Jesus shows us that true authority is rooted not in domination, but in self-giving love.
The Mandatum of Service
The term also recalls the washing of feet at the Last Supper. The Church calls Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday (from Mandatum), because Christ revealed His command of love through humble service. The pattern is clear: to lead is to serve.
A Call, A Charge, A Mission
In the Church’s tradition, a mandatum is also a commissioning, a sacred charge for mission. Teachers, missionaries, parents, priests, and leaders all receive a mandate from the Church to carry out their work faithfully. For young Catholics, Mandatum is their commissioning: to be leaders of faith, character, and courage in the Church and in the world.
Why It Matters For Teens
You have received a command from Christ, to love as He loves. You have received a command from Christ, to share the Gospel. You are called to serve others with humility and courage. You are entrusted with a mission to lead, witness, and renew the world in Christ. You have been given charisms and knowledge to be missionary disciples and lead others to Christ.