National Catholic Initiative Aims to Distribute Bibles to College Students
A national Catholic organization is striving to get Bibles into the hands of university students as a means of reinforcing their faith. According to Word on Fire, a Catholic evangelistic group, a staggering “79% of former Catholics abandon their faith before turning 23.” This trend appears particularly pronounced among young people transitioning from high school to college, as noted by Brandon Fogt, who oversees publishing for Bishop Robert Barron at the Ministry of Fire.
Vogt mentioned, “We felt a need to engage these young individuals at such a critical stage in their lives.” He has explored various methods over the years—including videos, books, and resources—but believes this Bible campaign might be one of the most impactful. The organization has reportedly delivered over 30,000 copies of a special Gospel edition to students across more than 200 campuses in the U.S. and Canada.
Vogt go on to describe the Bible as a “work of art,” highlighting not just the text itself but its presentation. He referred to it as a “print cathedral,” adorned with artwork and quotations from saints, scholars, and the church’s historical figures, which he thinks could resonate particularly well with college students who are approaching these ideas for the first time.
On their campaign page, Word on Fire reported that they’ve raised over $184,000 toward a goal of $250,000. Many testimonies have come from individuals picking up the Bible for the first time, stating it as a beautiful version that they had never encountered before.
Vogt shared insights about partnerships formed with various Catholic ministries at secular universities, noting, “We’re seeing people comment, ‘Wow, I’ve never read the Bible before’ or ‘This version is absolutely stunning.’” Some of the colleges involved include Harvard, West Point, Stanford, and the University of Michigan, among others.
He added that this initiative has led some individuals to either convert to Catholicism or return to the church. Though he is optimistic, he conceded, “I think Catholics can engage with the Bible more. However, is that fully the church’s fault? Maybe not. We’re excited to bring the scripture to a new generation.”
