The story of Serva Fidem
Serva Fidem is the Latin phrase for “keep the faith.” For decades, high school has been a crucial turning point for young Christians, many of whom will leave faith behind as teenagers or young adults. Our aim is to provide students with the community and mentorship that will prepare them to choose faith for themselves as young adults.
Despite various efforts to cater to young people over the years, the numbers remain poor. According to the research group CARA, only 15% of baptized Catholics remain in the faith, and according to Pew, only ⅓ of those who consider themselves Catholic attend weekly mass.
We believe that what has been missing is an intentional form of discipleship for high schoolers, where students can bring Christ into their real, everyday lives under the guidance of an older mentor. To that end, Serva Fidem consists of small groups of friends, paired with an equipped Catholic mentor, who meet weekly throughout high school to pray, learn, and discuss what God has to do with their lives.
EARLY Growth
Serva Fidem was launched at Dowling Catholic High School (DCHS) in West Des Moines, Iowa in 2017 under the name “Ut Fidem.” Starting small with just a few groups of friends, students found that Serva Fidem answered their needs for community, support, and a place to talk about real, meaningful things.
As students began growing in their faith, word spread. The transformation that started in the hearts of a few students couldn’t help but overflow. By the end of their second school year, they finished with 196 students making up 30 small groups.
Our team never posted a flier or held an informational meeting. The ministry was purely word of mouth–a grassroots ministry where every person was invited through personal invitation from friends or the ministry coordinator.
By the end of year five at DCHS, Serva Fidem grew to 62 active small groups, or 333 students, which was nearly 24% of the student body.
According to an external study done by C1C Consulting, a research arm of Pew Research, Serva Fidem alumni were 59% more likely to attend Mass more than four times a month compared to non-Serva Fidem alumni in their senior year of college. They were also more likely to be committed to their faith, feel more confident explaining their faith, continue growing in their faith in college, and engage in faith behaviors like daily prayer, Mass, reconciliation, and faith groups.
77% of Serva Fidem alumni continued to call themselves active Catholics compared to only 50% of non-Serva Fidem alumni.
We believe our work is just getting started
Learn more about our resources for high schools and the value this model can bring to your school.
Bishop Endorsement
Bishop Emeritus Joseph Charron, C.PP.S., of Des Moines, Iowa endorsed Serva Fidem’s youth ministry by stating the following:
“The founding of Ut Fidem goes back to a faith-filled desire to do something positive about the reality of the drift of young people from the active practice of their Catholic faith, especially during college years. I am happy to have been a participant in this endeavor and am pleased with the growth and effectiveness it has shown. Pope Paul VI in 1975 wrote Evangelii Nuntiandi in which he said: ‘The world no longer listens to teachers; it listens to witnesses, and if it listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.’ I believe Ut Fidem truly helps to form faith teachers who are witnesses and thus faithful disciples. Therefore, I recommend it as a worthy program.”
Bishop Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines also wrote a letter of endorsement for Serva Fidem’s small groups.
Read his letter of endorsement here.
A Cultural Shift:
What Research Shows About Catholic Youth in Serva Fidem
Category 1 Consulting (C1C), a research arm of Pew Research, performed a four-year study on Dowling Catholic Serva Fidem graduates. These were the results:
- Mass Attendance: Serva Fidem students attended Mass more frequently and stayed more consistent over time. They were 59% more likely to attend Mass more than four times a month.
- Faith Behaviors: Serva Fidem students participated in a greater number of faith behaviors than other students did, with the greatest difference seen in Eucharistic Adoration and faith journaling. They also participated in volunteering, reconciliation, daily Mass, and the rosary.
- Religious Status: Serva Fidem students were more likely to be active Catholics (77%). Religious status tended to stay stable over time.
The key takeaway from this study is that Serva Fidem students keep their faith. They were more likely to be committed to their faith, engage in faith behaviors, and show more faith impact.
Explore Our Catholic Small Groups
As Serva Fidem continues to grow, more students are impacted and grow in their faith. Learn more about the structure and purpose of our small groups and read personal testimonies from our students.