Their custom made T-shirts are advancing the cause of evangelization and creating a Catholic presence on Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s University campuses in this Maritime city.
The black American Apparel T-shirts have “Catholic” printed in blue lettering down the front side and a Pope Francis quote on the back: “There are no situations God cannot change. If up till now you have kept Him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms.”
The quote is meant as an invitation and a challenge.
“It summarizes what we want people to know about the Church,” said Julia Bolzon, CCO Halifax staff member.
CCO Halifax ordered 46 of the T-shirts.
Bolzon, 22, brought the T-shirts to Halifax from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. The McMaster Catholic Student Association made the first set of shirts in 2010. The shirts have since spread to the Western University in London, Ont., and McGill in Montreal, while there are orders for Antigonish,
N.S.’s St. Francis Xavier University’s Catholic student leaders.
The word “Catholic” was chosen for clarity.
“We wanted to be bold and simple and noticeable,” Bolzon said.
Jordan Burke, 18, says the T-shirts are accessible.
“People can read it and not be confused by a Catholic term or inside joke. You see blatantly on the front that I am Catholic and on the back an invitation to explore this Church.”
Burke is taking a gap year before attending the University of King’s College in Halifax. He explored Buddhism, Judaism and agnosticism before becoming Catholic in 2012. Catholicism is “the most beautiful faith I’ve ever encountered,” he said.
Burke believes the shirts are rebellious.
“If I’m going to stand out in a crowd, I’d much rather it be for Jesus than for something ridiculous.”
But he realizes the shirt is just a tool.
“You should have a relationship with other people,” Burke said, adding that to make friends, you need to be involved but never forget you are Catholic.
“If you’re going to wear the T-shirt then wear your faith as well.”
Katie Bowman, a third-year Saint Mary’s student, was shy wearing the Catholic T-shirt at first. She kept thinking about the people sitting behind her in class. Then “I realized, I should be proud to wear that T-shirt,” said Bowman. “It’s important people know there are average university students that are Catholic.”
Knowing what it’s like to live without faith, Bowman wears the T-shirt to reach out to her non- Christian friends. Knowing allows them to ask questions.
“It’s important for them to see that side of me and to know about my faith,” she said. “I think it’s important to be bold in your faith.”
First-year Saint Mary’s science student Andrew Reick says wearing the T-shirt makes him feel like he is “broadcasting a message.” People might not say anything, but “they’re looking at it and they’re reading it and thinking about it.”
Reick grew up Catholic but was never baptized and rarely went to Mass. Then he was invited to the CCO Halifax Fall retreat. Now he wears the Catholic T-shirt proudly to class.
“It’s hard to show faith,” Reick said, but he thinks the shirts are a good way to ease into evangelization. “It’s a T-shirt. Clothes are really casual.”
CCO Halifax wanted the shirts to quote Pope Francis because of his presence in the media.
“He’s all over the news,” said Bolzon. “There’s always something about him on Facebook. A lot of non-Catholics are talking about him.”
She encourages Catholic university students to be creative public witnesses.
“We’re meant to be evangelistic,” said Bolzon. “We’re called to share our faith.”
(Brown, 23, is a fourth-year journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax.)