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A New Leadership Opportunitysummer 2026
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At a time when the Church and the world urgently need courageous, faith-filled leaders, Mandatum exists to form young men and women who know who they are, how God created them, and how to lead wherever God has placed them.
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 young men and women a focused opportunity for formation, to recognize their God-given gifts and talents, and learn how to lead with confidence and humility. Rooted in prayer and strengthened by the Sacraments, participants are 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.June 22-26, 2026
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Apply Here Today!registration is openMandatum is designed for rising high school freshmen to rising college freshmen. See more details below.
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Apply now to be a part of our first-ever Mandatum week!
The application deadline is April 30th. After submitting your application, a parent or legal guardian must submit payment using the QR code or link below. The non-refundable application fee is $50 and will be applied to the total cost of the week. Applications will not be reviewed until payment is received from a parent or guardian.
Click Here to Apply!
Total cost for the week per student: $350
We never want finances to prevent someone from participating and will never turn students away for this reason. If cost is a concern, please contact Dennis Sousa—we’re happy to help.
We’ve got you covered! Your cost includes:- All meals for five days and four nights
- Comfortable on-site housing
- All program materials and supplies
- A commemorative T-shirt
- Snacks and beverages throughout the week
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Why You Need to Be at Mandatum
Jesus doesn’t just give us rules—He gives us a call to holiness.
Through our baptism, Christ invites us to love as He loves: freely, sacrificially, and without conditions—even when it costs us something.
He sends us to share the Gospel, not just with words, but through lives that reflect His joy, mercy, and truth.
He calls us to serve with humility and courage, choosing what is right, standing for the dignity of every person, and trusting God even when it’s hard.Jesus entrusts you with His mission. He believes you can lead, witness, and help renew the world by how you live your faith every day.
He has already given you the grace, gifts, and charisms you need to be a missionary disciple—someone who brings Christ into schools, families, friendships, and the world.This matters because God is calling you to be a saint. Not someday. Not someone else. You.
Click Here to Apply!
Your generation needs saints who are real, courageous, and faithful. God wants to work through your life—right now—to change the world.
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Who is Mandatum For?
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Mandatum is designed for students rising high school freshmen to rising college freshmen, 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
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What Does the Week Include?so much to look forward to
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- Dynamic workshops and engaging breakout sessions
- 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
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What Does Mandatum Mean?Learn more
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The
Biblical RootsThe 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.
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The Mandatum of ServiceThe 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.
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A Call,
A Charge,
A MissionIn the Church’s tradition, a mandatum is also a sending forth, a sacred charge for the mission of evangelization. Teachers, missionaries, parents, priests, and leaders all receive a mandate from the Church to carry out their work faithfully. For young Catholics, Mandatum is a call: to be leaders of faith, character, and courage in the Church and in the world.
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Why It Matters For TeensChrist commands us to love as He loves. Christ invites us to share the Gospel. Christ urges us to serve others with humility and courage. Christ entrusts us with a mission to lead, witness, and renew the world in Christ. Christ has given us the charisms and knowledge to be missionary disciples and lead others to himself.
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C O N T A C T U SWE'RE HERE FOR YOU!
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hjeffersondpvd.orgYouth & Young Adult Evangelization Consultant -
tmezadpvd.orgMissionary Discipleship Consultant -
dsousadpvd.orgDirector, Office of Family, Youth, & Young Adult Evangelization
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