“The body, which expresses femininity ‘for’ masculinity and, vice versa, masculinity ‘for’ femininity, manifests the reciprocity and the communion of persons. It expresses it through gift as the fundamental characteristic of personal existence. This is the body: a witness to creation as a fundamental gift, and therefore a witness to Love as the source from which this same giving springs. "
~Saint Pope John Paul II
Parent Information
Hi Parents! Thanks so much for signing your student up for the Theology of the Body for Teens!! Before the retreat or homestudy begins, please take the time to do the following:
- Read through the Parent Guidebook. These are available at church, or to pick up from Maggie. Please simply sign out the copy you've used so I have a record of which families have a copy. They will also be sent home the first day of the retreat for those who don't make it to Mass the weekend before.
- Watch the Parent Video. The video is embedded below. If you'd prefer to watch it as a DVD, I have copies at the parish office I can loan you.
- Look through the retreat outline so you are familiar with what things will be presented. Please don't tell your teen exactly what we'll be doing ahead of time; part of a retreat experience is entering in without always knowing what is coming next. However, because this material is so sensitive, it's critical that you as parents know exactly what we are watching and and discussing and doing so you can be prepared to process everything with your teen. Complete transparency and communication is always the best option! Let me know if you have any questions or ideas.
- Discuss the To B material and concepts with your high schooler, before, during, and after the retreat. As parents, you are the primary educators of your children, especially in such important matters of human sexuality.
- Pray! Please pray for me, our speakers, and your teen(s), that the Holy Spirit will truly guide what we are doing on our retreat.
ToB For Teens Parent Guide
This video is about 40 minutes long. It quickly covers the main points behind all 12 chapters/sessions of the main curriculum, including citations from the Bible, Cathechism, writings of St. Pope John Paul II, and other documents of official Church teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Theology of the Body?
The Theology of the Body refers to the series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in Rome between September 1979 and November 1984. These addresses were later compiled and published as a single work entitled The Theology of the Body According to John Paul II (now called Male and Female He Created Them). The Theology of the Body covers such topics as the bodily dimension of the human person, the nature of human sexuality, the human need for communion, and the nature of marriage. The Theology of the Body is and articulation of the faith that is intended to enrich the lives of all people.
2. Is this something that will really interest teens?
Absolutely! Many teens do not understand their sexuality, let alone their purpose in life, yet they have a strong desire to do so. The Theology of the Body speaks to the deepest meaning of why they were created, the purpose of love and sexuality, and the meaning of life.
Not only will teens be interested in the Theology of the Body, they crave it—even though they may not know it at a cognitive level. Teens are yearning for answers to life’s deepest questions, as well as a positive portrayal of their sexuality. John Paul II’s vision for the meaning of our bodies and our sexual desires is a topic that will connect with teens in a way that speaks to the deepest desires of their hearts.
3. What is the Theology of the Body for Teens program?
The Theology of the Body for Teens is the first published curriculum which applies the Theology of the Body to the lives of teenagers, specifically addressing questions relating to chastity and sexuality. It is a multifaceted, dynamic, twelve-part program that can be used in a variety of different contexts.
4. Is this a chastity program?
Yes, but it is also much more. While Theology of the Body for Teens addresses for teenagers the real questions they have about their sexuality, it is much more comprehensive than traditional chastity programs. Such programs often take a “no” approach to sex, placing an emphasis on abstinence. This, of course, is good, but the Theology of the Body language offers us much more. It offers us a new language that is rooted in human freedom and the dignity of the whole human person, created in God’s image. The Theology of the Body looks at the human experience and proposes to each of us a vision for love and life that resonates in a profound and satisfying way. In short, it is a very positive presentation of the gift of human sexuality.
5. Why do teens need the Theology of the Body?
Human beings were made for greatness. We were made to know God, know truth, and live life in a way that brings us peace and happiness. These pursuits, though, are hard to come by in today’s distracting and permissive culture. As a result, it is perhaps harder to live as a teenager today than at any other time. The wounds our teenagers experience are deep and manifold.
Today’s teens are starving for real love; they are looking for meaningful and lasting relationships. They have witnessed firsthand the pain of divorce and seen how permissive sex plays out in their own lives and the lives of those around them. Due to our culture’s focus on immediate gratification, many teens have lost their way, and in the process, have lost hope. The Theology of the Body will help restore their hope because it reveals for them a road map to real love and authentic happiness.
6. What will Theology of the Body for Teens do for my teen?
Theology of the Body for Teens will help them understand the meaning of their lives. It will answer the questions they have about their own bodies, about the Church’s teachings on sexual morality, and how they were created for greatness. This curriculum will help them to unlearn the misguided teachings of the modern culture and provide them with the very key to life—the key to happiness and peace: knowing who we are as God’s children and our call to holiness. It will help them discover the ultimate purpose for which God created them: communion with him.
7. Will this curriculum make them feel guilty about poor decisions from their past?
The beauty of the Theology of the Body is that it brings hope to the hopeless and redemption to the fallen. While some teens may become convicted by the truths they hear and feel sad or guilty for past decisions, they will ultimately feel free and be filled with hope as they pursue God’s plan for love and life.
8. Aren’t the concepts taught in the Theology of the Body too lofty for teenagers?
No. The authors of this program have many years of experience in youth ministry and education. Based on this experience, great consideration was given in writing Theology of the Body for Teens to match the current faith formation level of today’s Catholic teenager. The students may, at times, be challenged by the Theology of the Body, but its content is perfectly suited for a Catholic teenage audience.
9. How explicit is the material covered in Theology of the Body for Teens?
Our curriculum is faithful to the language of John Paul II’s original lectures. As such, it presents the Church’s teachings human sexuality using specific—but never overly explicit or graphic—language. Therefore, we believe that its content is appropriate for the maturity level of the average Catholic teen.
10. Does Theology of the Body for Teens address such sensitive topics as homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and contraception?
Yes. As mentioned above, this curriculum presents a holistic view of Catholic teaching on these topics and others, such as in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, always with great pastoral sensitivity. Since most Catholic teenagers are aware of such issues in today’s culture, we thought it was important to address them.
11. Is the Theology of the Body for Teens “pastorally sensitive”?
Absolutely. We realize that there are a number of difficult issues teenagers face in regards to love, sex, relationships, and marriage. The curriculum authors have made every effort to teach teens the truths of the Theology of the Body, keeping in mind the vast challenges young people face today.
12. What is the typical outcome for the youth?
Students exposed to the beauty of the Theology of the Body have a deeper appreciation for the meaning of human sexuality as it relates to God’s plan of salvation. Because of this, students are more likely to value human dignity, chastity, and other virtues associated with their sexuality. Most importantly, students will grow in their faith and love for God and his Church. Be prepared for remarkable changes in your teen!
13. Who are the authors of Theology of the Body for Teens and what are their credentials?
The three primary authors of the program—Brian Butler, Jason Evert, and Crystalina Evert—are recognized leaders in education, youth ministry, and chastity education. Here is some biographical information on each:
Brian Butler served as the associate director for youth catechesis in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has taught and coordinated campus ministry at the high school level for five years, and has more than twelve years of experience in youth ministry. Brian is the co-founder of Dumb Ox Productions Inc, a nonprofit organization that offers retreats, speakers, and resources focusing on chastity and vocation formation for teenagers, and he currently coordinates a comprehensive vocation formation program for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. He is the co-author of The Bible Thumper (vols. 1 & 2), holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of New Orleans, and is in the process of completing a master’s degree in theology at Notre Dame Seminary School of Theology. Brian and his wife Lisa have three children.
Jason Evert speaks to more than 100,000 students each year an apologist and chastity speaker for Catholic Answers. He is the author of six books, including If You Really Loved Me and Pure Love, which challenge young people to embrace the virtue of chastity. As the founder of Catholic Answer’s Pure Love Club, he is internationally-recognized as a leading chastity speaker and teacher. Jason earned a master’s degree in theology, and undergraduate degrees in counseling and theology, with a minor in philosophy, from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He and his wife, Crystalina, are the parents of two young boys.
Crystalina Evert has shared her inspirational testimony to hundreds of thousands of teens around the world as a member of the Catholic Answers Speakers’ Bureau. She is the author of the book Pure Womanhood and is a frequent guest on radio programs throughout the country. Together, she and Jason host the EWTN series, The Pure Life. Their other television appearances include Fox News, Donahue, WGN, and the BBC. They also serve on the board of directors for the National Abstinence Clearinghouse, and were presented with the 2003 Impact Award by the National Abstinence Clearinghouse in recognition of their success with teens in America.
In addition, much of program material was written in collaboration with Christopher West. Christopher is a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute. He is also one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today, having delivered more than 1000 public lectures on 4 continents, in more than a dozen countries, and in over 200 American cities. His books – Good News About Sex & Marriage, Theology of the Body Explained, and Theology of the Body for Beginners, and Heaven’s Song – have become Catholic best sellers. Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master’s of Theological Studies. He has lectured on a number of prestigious faculties, offering graduate and undergraduate courses at St John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Creighton University’s Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Hundreds of thousands have heard him on national radio and television programs such as Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, and ABC Nightly News. Of all his titles, Christopher is most proud to call himself a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Wendy have five children.
14. Is this program accredited by the Catholic Church? What about our Diocese?
Every element of the Theology of the Body for Teens curriculum was submitted for episcopal approval before publication. The curriculum received a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur from the publisher’s local bishop, which means the bishop certifies that nothing in the curriculum is contrary in any way to Catholic faith or morals. In our own Diocese, our bishop and the Department of Education have been very supportive of parishes and schools using the Theology of the Body for Teens, offering training sessions and suport to ensure youth ministers and DREs feel prepared to present the material confidently and pastorally.
The Theology of the Body refers to the series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday audiences in Rome between September 1979 and November 1984. These addresses were later compiled and published as a single work entitled The Theology of the Body According to John Paul II (now called Male and Female He Created Them). The Theology of the Body covers such topics as the bodily dimension of the human person, the nature of human sexuality, the human need for communion, and the nature of marriage. The Theology of the Body is and articulation of the faith that is intended to enrich the lives of all people.
2. Is this something that will really interest teens?
Absolutely! Many teens do not understand their sexuality, let alone their purpose in life, yet they have a strong desire to do so. The Theology of the Body speaks to the deepest meaning of why they were created, the purpose of love and sexuality, and the meaning of life.
Not only will teens be interested in the Theology of the Body, they crave it—even though they may not know it at a cognitive level. Teens are yearning for answers to life’s deepest questions, as well as a positive portrayal of their sexuality. John Paul II’s vision for the meaning of our bodies and our sexual desires is a topic that will connect with teens in a way that speaks to the deepest desires of their hearts.
3. What is the Theology of the Body for Teens program?
The Theology of the Body for Teens is the first published curriculum which applies the Theology of the Body to the lives of teenagers, specifically addressing questions relating to chastity and sexuality. It is a multifaceted, dynamic, twelve-part program that can be used in a variety of different contexts.
4. Is this a chastity program?
Yes, but it is also much more. While Theology of the Body for Teens addresses for teenagers the real questions they have about their sexuality, it is much more comprehensive than traditional chastity programs. Such programs often take a “no” approach to sex, placing an emphasis on abstinence. This, of course, is good, but the Theology of the Body language offers us much more. It offers us a new language that is rooted in human freedom and the dignity of the whole human person, created in God’s image. The Theology of the Body looks at the human experience and proposes to each of us a vision for love and life that resonates in a profound and satisfying way. In short, it is a very positive presentation of the gift of human sexuality.
5. Why do teens need the Theology of the Body?
Human beings were made for greatness. We were made to know God, know truth, and live life in a way that brings us peace and happiness. These pursuits, though, are hard to come by in today’s distracting and permissive culture. As a result, it is perhaps harder to live as a teenager today than at any other time. The wounds our teenagers experience are deep and manifold.
Today’s teens are starving for real love; they are looking for meaningful and lasting relationships. They have witnessed firsthand the pain of divorce and seen how permissive sex plays out in their own lives and the lives of those around them. Due to our culture’s focus on immediate gratification, many teens have lost their way, and in the process, have lost hope. The Theology of the Body will help restore their hope because it reveals for them a road map to real love and authentic happiness.
6. What will Theology of the Body for Teens do for my teen?
Theology of the Body for Teens will help them understand the meaning of their lives. It will answer the questions they have about their own bodies, about the Church’s teachings on sexual morality, and how they were created for greatness. This curriculum will help them to unlearn the misguided teachings of the modern culture and provide them with the very key to life—the key to happiness and peace: knowing who we are as God’s children and our call to holiness. It will help them discover the ultimate purpose for which God created them: communion with him.
7. Will this curriculum make them feel guilty about poor decisions from their past?
The beauty of the Theology of the Body is that it brings hope to the hopeless and redemption to the fallen. While some teens may become convicted by the truths they hear and feel sad or guilty for past decisions, they will ultimately feel free and be filled with hope as they pursue God’s plan for love and life.
8. Aren’t the concepts taught in the Theology of the Body too lofty for teenagers?
No. The authors of this program have many years of experience in youth ministry and education. Based on this experience, great consideration was given in writing Theology of the Body for Teens to match the current faith formation level of today’s Catholic teenager. The students may, at times, be challenged by the Theology of the Body, but its content is perfectly suited for a Catholic teenage audience.
9. How explicit is the material covered in Theology of the Body for Teens?
Our curriculum is faithful to the language of John Paul II’s original lectures. As such, it presents the Church’s teachings human sexuality using specific—but never overly explicit or graphic—language. Therefore, we believe that its content is appropriate for the maturity level of the average Catholic teen.
10. Does Theology of the Body for Teens address such sensitive topics as homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and contraception?
Yes. As mentioned above, this curriculum presents a holistic view of Catholic teaching on these topics and others, such as in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, always with great pastoral sensitivity. Since most Catholic teenagers are aware of such issues in today’s culture, we thought it was important to address them.
11. Is the Theology of the Body for Teens “pastorally sensitive”?
Absolutely. We realize that there are a number of difficult issues teenagers face in regards to love, sex, relationships, and marriage. The curriculum authors have made every effort to teach teens the truths of the Theology of the Body, keeping in mind the vast challenges young people face today.
12. What is the typical outcome for the youth?
Students exposed to the beauty of the Theology of the Body have a deeper appreciation for the meaning of human sexuality as it relates to God’s plan of salvation. Because of this, students are more likely to value human dignity, chastity, and other virtues associated with their sexuality. Most importantly, students will grow in their faith and love for God and his Church. Be prepared for remarkable changes in your teen!
13. Who are the authors of Theology of the Body for Teens and what are their credentials?
The three primary authors of the program—Brian Butler, Jason Evert, and Crystalina Evert—are recognized leaders in education, youth ministry, and chastity education. Here is some biographical information on each:
Brian Butler served as the associate director for youth catechesis in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has taught and coordinated campus ministry at the high school level for five years, and has more than twelve years of experience in youth ministry. Brian is the co-founder of Dumb Ox Productions Inc, a nonprofit organization that offers retreats, speakers, and resources focusing on chastity and vocation formation for teenagers, and he currently coordinates a comprehensive vocation formation program for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. He is the co-author of The Bible Thumper (vols. 1 & 2), holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of New Orleans, and is in the process of completing a master’s degree in theology at Notre Dame Seminary School of Theology. Brian and his wife Lisa have three children.
Jason Evert speaks to more than 100,000 students each year an apologist and chastity speaker for Catholic Answers. He is the author of six books, including If You Really Loved Me and Pure Love, which challenge young people to embrace the virtue of chastity. As the founder of Catholic Answer’s Pure Love Club, he is internationally-recognized as a leading chastity speaker and teacher. Jason earned a master’s degree in theology, and undergraduate degrees in counseling and theology, with a minor in philosophy, from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He and his wife, Crystalina, are the parents of two young boys.
Crystalina Evert has shared her inspirational testimony to hundreds of thousands of teens around the world as a member of the Catholic Answers Speakers’ Bureau. She is the author of the book Pure Womanhood and is a frequent guest on radio programs throughout the country. Together, she and Jason host the EWTN series, The Pure Life. Their other television appearances include Fox News, Donahue, WGN, and the BBC. They also serve on the board of directors for the National Abstinence Clearinghouse, and were presented with the 2003 Impact Award by the National Abstinence Clearinghouse in recognition of their success with teens in America.
In addition, much of program material was written in collaboration with Christopher West. Christopher is a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute. He is also one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today, having delivered more than 1000 public lectures on 4 continents, in more than a dozen countries, and in over 200 American cities. His books – Good News About Sex & Marriage, Theology of the Body Explained, and Theology of the Body for Beginners, and Heaven’s Song – have become Catholic best sellers. Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master’s of Theological Studies. He has lectured on a number of prestigious faculties, offering graduate and undergraduate courses at St John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Creighton University’s Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Hundreds of thousands have heard him on national radio and television programs such as Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, and ABC Nightly News. Of all his titles, Christopher is most proud to call himself a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Wendy have five children.
14. Is this program accredited by the Catholic Church? What about our Diocese?
Every element of the Theology of the Body for Teens curriculum was submitted for episcopal approval before publication. The curriculum received a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur from the publisher’s local bishop, which means the bishop certifies that nothing in the curriculum is contrary in any way to Catholic faith or morals. In our own Diocese, our bishop and the Department of Education have been very supportive of parishes and schools using the Theology of the Body for Teens, offering training sessions and suport to ensure youth ministers and DREs feel prepared to present the material confidently and pastorally.
Resources
Full text of John Paul II's Wednesday addresses that make up the ToB teachings
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops's website on ToB and how it applies to marriage
Pure Love, a resource for teens and parents
The Chastity Project, a multi-dimensional initiative for forstering chastity in all states of life
Humanae Vitae, On Human Life, Pope Paul VI's letter about artificial contraception
Evengelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II's letter about life issues
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops's website on ToB and how it applies to marriage
Pure Love, a resource for teens and parents
The Chastity Project, a multi-dimensional initiative for forstering chastity in all states of life
Humanae Vitae, On Human Life, Pope Paul VI's letter about artificial contraception
Evengelium Vitae, The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II's letter about life issues