The best way to develop and foster unity is for the staff and student leaders to be examples of what wholeness as a community can look like, with the understanding that the desire for unity does not require everyone to conform to one way of practicing faith. Different spiritualities are appreciated and celebrated. The saints reveal that the way to holiness, while one, is also many and varied. We are committed to reverencing and celebrating the way of the saints.
POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II
The 263rd Successor of Peter is one of the greatest witnesses of hope in history. Tried in the crucible of terrible suffering and loss throughout his young life, he became a joyful witness to the merciful love of the Father Whom Christ comes into the world to reveal. His heart burned for Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and the youth of the world–-the “morning watchmen” he called on to “announce a new springtime; a time for the revolution of holiness and the building up of the civilization of love.” He instituted the World Youth Day celebrations, and in the face of totalitarian regimes seeking control over mankind, he fearlessly proclaimed by word and deed, Christ, the sole redeemer of man, Who comes into the world to set men free. He was a father to the fatherless; a defender of the defenseless; a voice for the voiceless. No pope in history has traveled more than him, and he did it to proclaim Christ to every corner of the world. His heart burned for Jesus Christ “the secret to his day”, and for his spiritual sons and daughters–-the Church–-for whom he repeatedly laid down his life. He is a model of freedom, fearless love, unshakeable confidence in the truth, and heavenly joy–-all in the face of suffering and hopelessness. A son, a disciple, and a father, who embodied with his life the true Jayhawk spirit which altered the course of history.
SAINT CARLO ACUTIS
Carlo was a very normal millennial youth. He loved sports, video games, and his friends. The treasure of his life was Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Carlo understood that devotion to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus provided a sure way–a “highway” to Heaven. He loved many people and many things well, precisely because he loved Jesus first. Carlo developed the first website sharing the glory of the Church’s Eucharistic miracles with the world. He lived a life that was repeatedly touched by the Eucharist. When St. Carlo was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 15, he offered his sufferings for the Pope and for the Church. After his death, St. Francis of Assisi came to St. Carlo’s mother in a dream, informing her that after Carlo was to be canonized, he would usher an entire generation from his time into Heaven. St. Carlo is the patron of the Eucharistic Revival of the Church in the United States. He is a model of authentic, joyful living; the free and responsible use of technology and the internet, purity of mind and body, and Eucharistic devotion. St. Carlo burned–even in the midst of terrible suffering–for the great treasure of the Church.
SAINT LAWRENCE
Our namesake and principal patron was discipled; mentored in the way of Christ by the man who became Pope St. Sixtus II. He did not guide his own story, but rather let Christ and His Church lead him. Lawrence was ordained a deacon, and chose to serve the needs of the most vulnerable and overlooked members of the family of God in Rome. When persecution broke out, Lawrence didn’t run. When he was told, on the pain of his life, that he must present the treasure of the Church to the proper Roman authority, Lawrence distributed the Church’s financial resources to the needy and suffering, then brought them to the prefect of Rome declaring “Behold the treasure of the Church!” Lawrence was grilled-–literally burned–-for the treasure of the Church. He died for love of Jesus and love of souls-–especially those of the most vulnerable. He stood face to face before the superpower of his day, and, without flinching, proclaimed the truth of the Gospel of Life. As he died, he joked: “You can turn me over, I am done on this side.” To date, Lawrence is remembered by the Roman people as “the saint who died laughing.” He is a model of selfless service, humble confidence in the power of the Gospel, discipleship, advocacy for the vulnerable, and joyful freedom–even in the face of death.
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
The first and greatest disciple, she is Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church. Her greatness is found in littleness; her victory through total surrender which gave rise to the birth of the greatest Jayhawk in history. Her entire existence was–-and still is–-for her children; for Jesus and His Church. Every saint in history has been–-and will be–-touched and formed by her. She models listening, trusting, and the greatest thing a human being can ever do: receiving God. Her Son Who is Victory always comes through her. She is a virgin mother; a model student and teacher; a meek and humble Warrior Queen who promises that, in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph. It is impossible to be closer to her Son without her than with her. She is the perfect embodiment of the nature of both the Church and the university. She is the great protectress, teacher, and model for the family of God who is also spouse to the One who guides and animates the great story of the Body of Christ; the Church.
