The Dead Theologians Society, which I happily invited to the Diocese of La Crosse in the year 2002, has carried out very effectively the new evangelization among the youth and their families whom it serves. The apostolate, firmly grounded in the teachings of the Scriptures, the Ecumenical Councils, the Fathers of the Church and the Saints, and nurtured by prayer and Eucharistic Adoration, draws young people to an ever deeper knowledge of Christ and His Church, and a corresponding more fervent love of God and neighbor.

I am happy to commend The Dead Theologians Society to individual families and to parishes, as a most effective form of Catholic youth ministry.

Sincerely in Christ

Prefect for the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

This relatively new outreach to youth concentrates on scripture, prayer, doctrine, and study of the towering saints and theologians of the Church, and has met with amazing success in parishes where youth ministers have introduced it. I am delighted to endorse this promising evangelical and catechetical endeavor.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan
Archdiocese of New York, NY

To all the faithful inquiring about the Dead Theologians Society:

Through this letter I wish to recommend for your consideration The Dead Theologians Society, a national youth ministry program directed by Mr. Eddie Cotter, Jr.

The goal of The Dead Theologians Society, is to bring the lives and writings of the saints to the youth of today, in order that they might be challenged and encouraged to grow in holiness.

That study of the lives of saints is set in an environment attractive to youth and at the same time challenging. It is coupled with a deep devotion to prayer and most especially devotion to our Lord in the Most Holy Eucharistic. A living relationship with the saints an enlivened prayer commitment and most particularly, a regular encounter with our living Lord cannot help but lead our youth to a deeper love of Jesus Christ and His holy Church.

This past April I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Cotter on the occasion of his visit to the Diocese of Baker. I am very much impressed by Eddie's vision, his zeal for the hearts of the young and his fidelity to the Church.

It is my hope that the parishes and missions in this Diocese will commit to the inclusion of DTS materials and format as an integral part of their youth minis- try programs. The Dead Theologians Society has tremendous potential, not only to lead our young people to a deeper love of God but also to serve as a wonderful point of unity for the youth of our Diocese.
Asking every good grace and blessing of God upon you, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa
Bishop of Santa Rosa, CA

Dear Brother Priest/Deacon:

By this communication I  wish to endorse in the strongest terms for your consideration the youth ministry called "The Dead Theologians Society." This title is of course meant to recall the film "The Dead Poets Society" which captured the attention of so many young people.

The Dead Theologians Society is so named as to point to the great saints of the Church whose spiritual and theological wisdom is still a great source of encouragement and light for all of us. The Dead Theologians Society seeks to call our wonderful young people to be saints of today and tomorrow by reflecting on the spiritual and theological wisdom of the saints of the past. This core or substance of their focus is expressed in very contemporary pedagogical approaches which young people find attractive. It seems to me that The Dead Theologians Society approach would be perfect for your high school youth ministry or responding to the need of continuing formation of the post Confirmation young people. I cannot think of a better approach for use with this particular age group.

The founder of The Dead Theologians Society, Eddie Cotter, resides in Black Earth, and through the generosity of a benefactor from the Diocese of La Crosse, has established the center for this movement and program in the Diocese of La Crosse. But he is very much ours, and is also an accomplished musician in the Irish Celtic mode. He recently performed with his group at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains at the inauguration of the new parish center facility.

So I commend Eddie Cotter and The Dead Theologians Society to all of you in the earnest hope that many of you will make contact with him and give serious consideration to the live that Christ can breathe into the young people in your parish family through this particular ministry. Very soon you will receive a direct mailing from The Dead Theologians Society.

With deep gratitude for all the food you do in the Lord's name each day, and with sincere and prayerful good wishes that every blessing of the Easter season will continue to be yours, I am
Fraternally in Christ

The Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of Madison, Wisconsin

It is a pleasure to recommend The Dead Theologian's Society all these who are looking for an effective and faithful Catholic Youth program for their parishes. When the lives of the saints are unpacked for Catholic youth a host of graces become available for the Church.

Examples of heroic virtue and faith in the face of challenges can inspire and shape the teenage lives in ways so many youth programs simply cannot. It is not too much to say that the lives of the saints are living catechisms, written by the grace of God in these lives.

May the Lord bless this line apostolate and continue to bring its message and ministry to dioceses around the world! 


Bishop Robert J. Baker, S.T.D.
Bishop of Birmingham

"I think it’s marvelous that our high school age teens are learning the things our Church has held in high esteem for thousands of years. Studying the Saints provides a great moral influence for our young people and challenges them to live good lives. I’m really glad to see that our students are getting "solid stuff" instead of "popular fluff!"  Rev. Dean Mathewson – Priest for over 30 years.

"……a clever idea on how to get young people to come to a youth group…..one of the most dynamic ministries you’ve ever heard of!"   Jeff Cavins – Catholic author, television and radio personality.

"DTS looks at the bigger things in life – beyond the natural to the super natural. We learn that the Saints, intercessory prayer, the Eucharist, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory are real and are presented in a way anyone can understand. DTS is a sneak peek at the world beyond this world!" Lisa Stone – Newark, Ohio