What is the MDI?
The Missionary Discipleship Institute (MDI) consists of three units—aligned with our Archdiocesan Religion Standards—to provide a framework for students to encounter the lives of their neighbors on the margins and the injustices that they face; reflect on how the Church responds in love and the disturbance this creates in our own sense of discipleship; and discern, develop, and carry out a missionary response. Throughout the year, students engage in a local immersion experience, research issues currently prevalent in our world, and are empowered to take hopeful Christian action. A commitment to these three units well can serve as your core 7th grade religion curriculum for the school year. Specifically, the Grade 7: New Testament Grade Level Overview and OCS Recommended Scripture References- Gr. 7-8 allows us to see the essential questions, vocabulary and content that is taught during the school year.
The Office for Catholic Schools has teamed up with Maryknoll Mission Education to develop a program which invites seventh grade students to answer this call through a year-long class exploration of what it means to be a Catholic in and for the world, integrating faith, global awareness, and authentic living of Catholic Social Teaching. Please note: There is no cost to participate in MDI and activate the amazing resources for our Catholic school teachers.
MDI and Covid-19! The culmination of our MDI is a CAPSTONE DAY to synthesize the year-long learning and share this learning with other 7th grades. Because of Covid-19, the MDI team has designed a 2020 VIRTUAL CAPSTONE WEEK in May! To learn more, please click here!
For a deeper dive into the MDI educational and formation format, please click here. 
Please click here to review our MDI Rubrics in English and Spanish.
We welcome our 2019 -2020 MDI Schools!
To follow the MDI journey of one of our schools, Christ the King School, Seattle please click here.
Our Lady Of Guadalupe School, Seattle also documented their immersion trip to St. Vincent de Paul, Georgetown. To view, please click here.
The culmination of the MDI program leads to Capstone Days, where schools teach their MDI learnings from the school year. 7th grade classes are encouraged to create a student-made video to commemorate the MDI learning. These are a gift and inspiration to us all! Here are a few video examples:
Christ the King School, Seattle (This video does not have sound)
Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Seattle
St. Michael School, Snohomish St. Michael Snohomish MDI presentation May 2019 – activate narrative on slide 2.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either Anna Clarke Johnson (aclarke@maryknoll.org) or Sandra Smith (sandra.smith@seattlearch.org)
In gratitude,
Kristin Dixon, Superintendent, Office for Catholic Schools
Anna Clarke Johnson, Maryknoll Mission Education
Lauren Hobbs, Teacher, Our Lady of Guadalupe School serving as our MDI Companion
Sandy Barton Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Office for Catholic Schools
Erica Cohen Moore and Joe Cotton, Office for Pastoral Ministries, Archdiocese of Seattle
Program Research developed from: Going, Going, Gone – Saint Mary Press