Austin Alanis

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

Has anyone told you that you are awesome today?

Allow me to be the first!

Where I serve

I am a 1st-year missionary serving at Boston University. There are 3 amazing teammates on mission with me at BU – David, Therese, & Kailey (pictured left to right). BU is very different from William & Mary, my alma mater: there are 5 times as many students and it is in the heart of a major city. Although I anticipate being challenged by serving in a new campus, I trust in the Lord’s ability to work every trial for my good. BU also has a robust Catholic center with students who are on fire for the gospel!

My Story

Although I grew up Catholic, I fell away from the faith in high school. When I came to William & Mary for college, I considered myself an atheist.

One invitation changed everything. An email from the campus chaplain inspired me to attend my first mass in 3 years, which led to me making my first confession in 3 years. As the priest gave me absolution, I could feel the weight of sin being lifted from me. I didn’t know it yet, but my life was changed!

My journey with the Lord in college became a series of invitations – to join a bible study, to reject sin, to build a life of prayer. As I grew closer to the Lord, I thought He was inviting me to become His priest. After graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, I entered priestly formation for the Diocese of Richmond at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. As I prayed through my first year in seminary, however, I did not believe the Lord was calling me to be a priest, so I left formation at the end of the year.

After leaving seminary, the Lord very quickly extended another invitation…to become a FOCUS missionary! I accepted, and I am so thankful that He has enabled me to join Him in His work of reaching souls.

I am blessed to have 3 friends from W&M with me in FOCUS – Bridget, Patrick, and George (pictured left to right).

Your Impact

God does not need us, but He desires us – He made us for communion with Him and with each other. The Lord gives each of us a mission that He could do on His own, yet entrusts to us to expand our hearts.

Let’s walk together on mission! Your support helps to transform the lives of students in ways small and big – from the student who hears about God’s love for the first time to the student who makes Christ the center of their lives.

Help me to make Christ known!

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

GET STARTED

FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24