The newly-named OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation reaffirms the values by which OSV was first founded.The Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) Institute has unveiled a rebranding to take its evangelical work into the 21st century. In order to facilitate its evolving vision the institute has been renamed the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. The initiative is a reaffirmation of the root values on which OSV was founded, as well as an answer to Pope St. John Paul II’s call for a “New Evangelization.”
According to a press release, the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation will act as the philanthropic arm of the organization. At its founding in 1912, OSV was a weekly bulletin meant to counter anti-Catholic rhetoric and foster faith formation. Now, the newly-named OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation’s goal is to “cultivate thought leadership, strategic doing, and design thinking to ultimately energize and renew the 21st-century Church.”
Jason Shanks, President of OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation, noted that the effort intends to reach people of the modern world. Evangelization is a process that is most effective when it meets people where they are in life. This is where innovation comes in. He said:
“More than ‘invention,’ innovation has a sense of ‘execution’ which requires collaboration, cooperation, and moving in a common direction. Pope Francis talks about ‘accompaniment’ and going to the peripheries. In business, this concept is knowing your customer and going to new markets. Our messaging and approaches must reach audiences who are not currently listening.”
The OSV Innovation Challenge
The report went on to explain that OSV was inspired to make the change after the success of their “Innovation Challenge” in 2020. The OSV Innovation Challenge was a year-long contest in which ideas were submitted that had the potential to make a profound impact on the Church. OSV chose three winners and awarded a $100,000 grant to see their projects thrive. The event was so successful that it has become an annual affair.
Jason Nees, Director of Marketing Services, made it clear that the name change is not all that’s afoot. The OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation has plans to launch many more initiatives that are designed to get people involved. He said:
“OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation’s vision for the future includes such things as learning labs, a consulting network of coaches and mentors, start-up accelerators, think tanks, and capacity-building grants in targeted areas that are outcome-driven and offer lasting solutions. There’s never been a better time for innovation in our Church, and we are excited to be leading the way.”
Learn more about the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation, here.
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