Austin Wright’s varied experience features a period as the president and chief operating officer of a technology startup with activities in Texas and California, along with a position as the director of advancement for the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, managing areas such as Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

An experienced member of the U.S. Navy, who was deployed overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Wright received multiple honors acknowledging his exceptional service. A convert to Catholicism, Wright dedicated six years to seminary training, exploring his calling.

Presently, Wright stands out as one of the most resourceful young Catholics in America. Together with his companion Harrison Butker, the two-time Super Bowl champion, he has established several businesses. One of these enterprises, MDKeller, has recently collaborated with the University of Notre Dame’s Church Property Initiative to provide an annual award for creative utilization of Church real estate.

However, Austin Wright may be most recognized among younger Catholics for his appealing and engaging Instagram profile, The Basic Catholic. Wright recently met with Our Sunday Visitor to talk about his social media activity, his entrepreneurial pursuits, and additional topics.

Our Sunday Visitor: Not long after you began your journey on Instagram, your account grew substantially. You now hold an important position as a Catholic influencer. So, what was the experience like when you initially created the account? What did you hope to achieve?

Austin Wright: Actually, it was never a project. It began as a personal account that gained traction while I was in Rome during the summer of 2018. There was no intention behind it. It simply grew organically.

Our Sunday Visitor: What do you believe individuals appreciate about it? What motivates them to follow you?

Wright: I believe in my material. One of the members of the team here at Shepherds, we connected because he followed my profile. I address numerous issues that many individuals refrain from discussing. I was open to engaging in passionate conversations. I consistently expressed my genuine feelings about different subjects. I believe people appreciate that I have always made an effort to be generous.

 

 

 

 

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BASIC CATHOLIC (@thebasiccatholic) • Images and clips on Instagram

Our Sunday Visitor: What do you wish for people to gain from your posts? What do you want them to discover on your profile?

Wright: The most important aspect for me is to be a Catholic gentleman who is pursuing holiness and guiding those around me on that voyage to that same destination. Anyone I encounter in everyday life shares that same aspiration, which has also influenced my presence in social media. I aim to assist individuals in recognizing the beauty of the Church and those who are working towards holiness, even during challenging periods.

Our Sunday Visitor: Within your circle, you’re recognized for your sincere intent to bring people together and foster friendships. Many individuals argue that such connections cannot happen through social media. Could you share some thoughts for those who might question the worth of being active on Instagram?

Wright: The irony surrounding social media lies in the notion that Facebook was intended to be the platform that united individuals. It was meant to enhance those connections authentically, but it has fallen short. In contrast, Instagram, which was initially created for posting pictures of meals and holidays, has ultimately transformed into a genuine space for interaction among individuals. In particular, Catholic Instagram serves as a remarkable community in numerous respects.

I expressed that longing for sanctity is very crucial; individuals sensed a community forming around it and that expanded. A greater number of people wished to be involved. Twitter may be chaotic and nightmarish, yet Catholic Instagram appeared to be a favorable space for men and women to connect with new acquaintances.

Many individuals feel isolated in the world, particularly those who are politically conservative and Catholic, notably orthodox Catholics. Discovering that others shared the same beliefs was the unifying factor. People appreciated seeing my friends and the activities we engaged in; that we were ordinary individuals navigating life while aspiring for holiness.

Our Sunday Visitor: The connections you’ve established on Instagram and beyond have resulted in numerous fascinating entrepreneurial projects, especially those. Could you share how your beliefs and relationships impact your business initiatives?

Wright: A clergyman from the Institute of Christ the King informed me that prior to engaging in any other pursuits, I must first embody the qualities of a gentleman. I make an effort to be in the company of men who prioritize being gentlemen and are aspiring towards holiness.

Harrison and I consider ourselves fortunate to have one another, as we can motivate each other. We frequently remind each other of the saying that “iron sharpens iron” (Prv 27:17). It isn’t always simple. However, meeting someone who is also pursuing holiness and shares similar perspectives on all the key matters simplifies being open and aiming for improvement.

I have faced challenges with weight increase and physical well-being over the last few years. It was through my relationship with Harrison that he truly demonstrated his affection, which pushed me towards what was truly beneficial for me. If I am to serve as a role model, if I am to shine as a beacon, then I must be pushing my limits in various aspects, including physically. This realization has been significant.

That confidence has shifted from these areas to the corporate sphere, like MDKeller, and the additional initiatives that we are undertaking. It revolves around the individuals we are associating with, the individuals we are inviting into these diverse enterprises and organizations. We are seeking those men who embody the principles of being a virtuous and righteous man.

Our Sunday Visitor: There are numerous ways that you and Harrison contribute to the community. One of the thrilling recent projects I’ve noticed from MDKeller is the partnership with Notre Dame’s Church Properties Initiative. Could you share some insights about the new award you’ve set up?

Wright: It’s one of those issues that we have discussed for a few years now. We are witnessing numerous shifts in demographics and the locations where individuals reside. Particularly in New England and the Northeast, many areas have been developed. Currently, significant numbers of Catholics are relocating southward. Some of this is due to secularism and a decrease in the practice of the Faith. A portion of it is simply a change in the demographics regarding where our population resides.

Places of worship were established, you see, for immigrant populations. There was an Italian parish at one intersection, a Polish church at another corner, and a German church a bit further down. This is no longer necessary; the requirements are evolving. The Catholic Church ranks among the largest property owners globally (next to the U.S. government and McDonald’s!) and we must operate with the perspective that these are resources, not burdens. Our goal is to lead the way.

We will be at the forefront within the Church to demonstrate to the bishops and other Church authorities that there are effective methods to attract new resources and rejuvenate Church properties that previous generations of Catholics contributed their hard-earned money to establish. We will reinvent this heritage and not confine ourselves to liquidating these assets for a minimal one-time financial gain! Creativity will lead us to view these properties as enduring assets rather than burdens.

The To the Heights award will award a $10,000 prize to individuals or teams that exhibit genuine vision and creativity.

Our Sunday Visitor: What advice would you provide to an individual seeking to understand how to start living like a gentleman? What initial actions should a young man undertake to cultivate the friendships and business relationships you are referring to?

In addition to the real estate ventures and all our other activities, we’re thrilled about one of our recently established companies that we co-founded named Shepherds. A topic we often discuss is the essence of being a gentleman. A significant aspect of embodying manhood and being a decent individual is to dress appropriately. Therefore, we sought to invest in a company that truly uplifts.

I have observed in my own experience that I am an improved individual when I present myself well. Our culture has turned increasingly informal in our attire, and this has caused us to be less serious in our behavior. We must evolve. It’s not about reverting to past practices; it’s about blending the strengths of traditional methods and updating them, ensuring they resonate with men in the present day.

Nowadays, when men purchase a suit, the fit is often not ideal. They come with a hefty price tag; the service is typically lackluster. The brands themselves are often politically correct, and visiting a store often exposes you to messages that may be off-putting. However, at Shepherds, our focus is solely on promoting excellence. We are ready to collaborate with anyone eager to invest in themselves and their future, proudly displaying their desire to become a better man.

Our initial site is located in Kansas City, yet we’re thrilled about expanding. We aim to extend our presence across the nation, developing a business framework that can welcome more Catholics into the community. However, we are not a Catholic organization; we are a company rooted in virtue. We strive for excellence in our endeavors. This excites us. Harrison and I are eager to utilize the talents that God has blessed us with. Each of us possesses distinct abilities that we wish to showcase, not to hide away, but to allow them to flourish.