Totus Tuus

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Mercy Association or Totus Tuus

Totus Tuus is founded to promote a new generation of builders, who in the spirit and love of Christ, are taking an active role in the destiny of poorest of the poor around the world who are in dire need of help. The Missioners of the Totus Tuus believe that it is their responsibility as children of God to promote love and care for those who are in greatest need; those described by Mother Theresa as the poorest of the poor, the unloved, uncared for, unwanted, abandoned and forgotten.

Biographical Information

Founder: Monsignor Jehan Dahyot-Dolivet

Foundation: Established in 1963 in Rouen, France.

Ecclesial Recognition: Recognized by a decree of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on December 8, 1992 as an International Association of the Faithful.

Membership: Present in 37 countries: in Africa (14), Asia (6), Europe (8), North America (4), Oceania (1) and South America (4).

Membership: 137,000
- both
- lay and religious

Organization

Lay/Religious: both

Individual/Community: Members can be either affiliated or united. Affiliated members are associations, religious Congregations or church works and individuals who play a full part in Tuus Totus. United members are associations, movements, Church works or religious congregations in communion with Tuus Totus.

Commitment/Vows: Affiliated members practice spirituality according to the Spiritual Directory. United members follow the Spiritual Directory or make an act of consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Purpose and Activities

Overall Purpose: To spread devotion to Our lady as the means of reaching Jesus Christ and that union with our Lord which is the perfection of Christian life; to bring the essentials of Christian life within the reach of all.

Apostolic commitments: Prayer groups of children, young people and adults work in contact with numerous ecclesial movements, new communities, Marian movements and spirituality centers. Care for terminally ill children.

Marian Characteristics

Major Inspirations: A missionary spirit with a desire to work in the Church according to the spirituality of St. Louis Marie Trigon de Montfort

General Marian Characteristics: Prayer and consecration to the Blessed Mother

Spiritual\Devotional Exercises: Spirituality is practiced according to the Spiritual Directory; Devotion to Our Lady, Mother of Mercy and our Mother; renewal of baptismal vows; consecration to Jesus through Mary

Pastoral/Apostolic Endeavors: To rediscover prayer to Mary; To increase familiarity with the Gospel by reciting the Rosary

Sources

http://www.totustuusonline.org/page/

Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, Pontifical Council for the Laity, available at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_pc_laity_doc_20051114_associazioni_en.html