The Word on Fire Institute invites Catholics to pray, learn, gather, and evangelize with Bishop Robert Barron and a team of professors and fellows.^1 It is for cradle Catholics, recent converts, college-aged Catholics, busy parents, retirees, and seekers who want deeper formation and a clearer way to share the faith.^1
Members receive 58+ courses, seminars, and video series, 15 expert-led communities, monthly live seminars with Q&A, and Bishop Barron's feature-length films and study programs, on the web and in iOS and Android apps.^1 Courses are self-paced, and a quarterly print journal, Evangelization & Culture, arrives four times a year, with digital access to prior issues.^1 Members can also pursue professional certificates, including Evangelization 101, and the Master of Arts in Evangelization and Culture offered with The Catholic University of America, a hybrid program taught live online with an optional summer residency in Washington, D.C.^3 Membership is subscription-based after a free trial.^1
Word on Fire Catholic Ministries is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit global media apostolate that supports Bishop Barron's work and reaches millions of people to draw them into, or back to, the Catholic faith.^2 Bishop Barron traces the ministry to Cardinal Francis George asking him, at Pope St. John Paul II's prompting, to jump-start evangelization.^2 The Institute is its formation arm, led by Dr. Matthew Petrusek as Senior Director.^1 Looking back on Word on Fire's early move to YouTube, Bishop Barron said, "It was a complete experiment."^5
Member Jessica R. says joining gave her "a sense of real joy" and "a strong desire to share my faith with those around me."^3 Member Tristan C. says the Institute gave him a space to find like-minded Catholics, adding, "It's more than just formation—it's fellowship, purpose, and mission."^3
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