Seton Hall to Host Parish Mission Led by Father Agustino Torres

Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology will host Seton Hall’s first annual University Parish Mission from 5 – 7 p.m. on Monday, November 17, through Wednesday, November 19. Headlining the Mission will be Father Agustino Torres, CFR, a dynamic evangelist and founder of Corazón Puro, the Bronx-based ministry dedicated to faith formation for young adults.

The program, titled "Gratitude and Hospitality: Communicating the Gospel Message in the 21st Century," will be held on campus in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The event is sponsored by the Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program at ICSST and is open to all.

Like missions held at Catholic parishes across the country, the University Parish Mission aims to inspire participants through the Word of God. The program will focus on living our lives as examples of preaching and evangelization, making this approach accessible to everyone, not just those discerning a religious vocation. In keeping with the upcoming Thanksgiving season, the program will also highlight the theme of gratitude. 

Each evening, the mission will begin with Mass at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, followed by presentations from our guest speakers.

“We are very excited to welcome Father Torres and members of his ministry team to our inaugural Parish Mission,” said Reverend Dominic Ciriaco, D.Min., adjunct professor of systemic theology and coordinator of the Preaching as Hospitality program. “We look forward to an inspiring series that will renew our community’s faith and deepen our shared commitment to living and preaching the Gospel.”

Father Torres belongs to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a religious community in the Bronx that is dedicated to working with the poor and evangelization. A Seton Hall alumnus, Father Torres is also the founder of Corazón Puro, an organization working with young people in Hispanic communities. Father Agustino is an internationally known speaker, spiritual director and author of "Prepare Your Heart" and the Gen Z-focused "REAL Formation" Confirmation program. He hosts programs on EWTN in both English and Spanish, as well as the Revive podcast, produced for the National Eucharistic Revival.

Joining Father Agustino at the Mission will be Holly Wright, a missionary with Corazón Puro and director of Casa Guadalupe, a house of prayer, discernment, and healing for women in Clifton, New Jersey. Wright has a background in philosophy, theology and psychology, and her ministry experience includes teaching, youth outreach, pro-life advocacy and forming preachers for the New Evangelization.

Guided by her deep commitment to following Jesus, Lissette Barretto will also be presenting. A missionary leader dedicated to reimagining education and ministry for the next generation, Baretto is a graduate of Stony Brook University and is now pursuing her MBA. She works on the "REAL Formation" team, which aims to revitalize catechesis in Hispanic homes and parishes.

After the program, everyone is invited to a brief reception and fellowship in the refectory at ICSST.

Father Agustino will be available for Confession each evening.

About the Preaching and Hospitality Program

The Preaching as Hospitality Formation program of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology seeks to form seminarians, diaconal students, and religious and lay graduate students of theology to be compelling preachers who will offer a hospitality of the heart as they break open the Word of God. The initiatives help to form preachers who will understand and embrace preaching as hospitality—a ministry of inviting, welcoming, and offering compassion. The program also focuses on newly ordained priests and deacons and newly appointed pastors (less than five years) who are invited to re-imagine their preaching through the lens of Christian hospitality. Among the many offerings are the "Wisdom Figures of Preaching" videos (featuring priests and deacons ordained at least 30 years) and various programs open to the public such as the "Many Faces of Hospitality Evenings of Recollection" and the annual "University Parish Mission." The program also offers Advent and Lent daily reflections, graduate courses on Scripture and Hospitality, and Pauline Preaching Clinics.

Categories: Faith and Service