Knowing the body matters answers everybody’s search for meaning.

Our Story

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Our co-founder, Monica Ashour, with Pope St. John Paul II!

TOBET was founded in 2001 by a grassroots group of people to promulgate St. John Paul’s message of hope and healing to a world in need. The founders were educators and parents who recognized a calling to spread the Theology of the Body to people of all ages in a holistic way.

The need for this life-giving message is evident in the regular calls and emails we receive from people who live in a culture which distorts the proper view of sexuality and identity. This distorted view rests on what St. John Paul diagnosed as “detachment” from the truth and meaning of the human body. Detachment is a mindset which devalues the human body and thus, the dignity and identity of the human person.

The Perfect Solution to Our Broken Culture

St. John Paul anticipated much of this crisis of identity and detachment in his writing and through Theology of the Body gives a wondrous view of the meaning of our existence, which is to love and be loved. This reality, he says, is made visible in our human bodies.

TOBET “translates” this philosophically dense, theological reflection so that families and people of all ages can access this life-affirming teaching.

In union with and in service of the Blessed Trinity and the Catholic Church, we seek to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, spread hope, and, by word and example, draw all people into the Communion of Persons of the Blessed Trinity by instructing others about Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body for the renewal and sanctification of the family, the Church, and the rest of society.

We Share the Life-Affirming Message of the Theology of the Body (BENEFITS)

Our programs and resources, based on the Theology of the Body, helps dioceses, churches, schools, and families know the truth of the body so they can:

  • Safeguard themselves and their children against the lies of our culture,
  • Know and teach the “whys” behind the “whats” of Catholicism,
  • and live a joyful life grounded in God’s design.

Hear What People Have to Say about Us

  • “…TOBET in making this message known is tremendously important…”

    “Young people have grown up in a culture that has worked hard to sell them on the idea that sex is supposed to be safe and fun and free for everyone. You can imagine then how important I believe it was to make sure that they hear the truth about sex: that it is a sacred gift from God, a divine energy in man and a source of blessing in marriage.

    That is why I am a fan and a benefactor of Monica Ashour and TOBET, the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team. The theology of the body of Pope John Paul II is the cure for the ambivalence that surrounds sexuality in our culture and the work of TOBET in making this message known is     tremendously important to healing that ambivalence in our society.”
    Most Rev. David A. Konderla
    Bishop of Tulsa, formerly pastor of St. Mary’s at Texas A&M University

  • “What a delight… more memorable.”

    “What a delight your [Marriage Preparation] book is! If a picture is worth 1,000 words, your 100 or so pictures are worth 100,000 words. And they’re much more memorable.”
    Peter Kreeft
    Renowned Catholic Speaker and Author, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College

  • “…emphasis of parental involvement…”

    “The emphasis of parental involvement in The Body Matters was a deciding factor in our choice to adopt it over other TOB-based programs.”
    Sr. Maria Christi Nelson, O.P.
    Principal of St. Jude Catholic School, Peoria, IL

  • “…authentic in its articulation of the Theology of the Body…”

    “The Theology of the Body Evangelization Team is an admirable effort to make this aspect of our Faith accessible to more people throughout our country. TOBET is authentic in its articulation of the Theology of the Body as well as the teaching of our Church in general. I recommend making use of TOBET’s resources in various ways—especially its helpful website.”
    Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B.
    Former Archbishop of Indianapolis

  • “…filled with insight, compassion, lively humor and examples.”

    “[Monica Ashour’s] presentations are filled with insight, compassion, lively humor and practical examples. Coming away from [the weekend], I was filled with thanksgiving to our God and His Church for leading us deeper into Truth and to be more mindful of the need to be a joyful Christian witness in this world.”
    Anonymous
    Director of Marriage and Family Life, Parish in IN

  • “…thanks to [TOBET], my entire life-style has changed…”

    “You explained this to us in a way that we could understand and grasp [Theology of the Body]. You didn’t just take this topic and give a seven hour lecture on it. You came up with fun activities and amazing stories to help us understand…. This was the best retreat I have attended and I will always remember it….thanks to you, my entire life-style has changed.”
    8th Grade Boy
    Retreat attendee

We are Made of Faithful, Everyday People

Though a small, tight-knit team, we are motivated to evangelize a broken culture and bring healing to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We live the spirit of the Theology of the Body in all our works and deeds.

With over 25 years of teaching and catechetical experience, our co-founder and president, Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M Hum., has built a team of experts in childhood development, children’s literature, graphic design, and curriculum expertise that has made possible the achievement of its groundbreaking programs and resources.

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Friends of TOBET

Ready to Change Lives with TOBET Resources? Contact Us!

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