A friend of mine shared her faith story with me today. I knew some of it, but not how the whole thing came about. She was raised in a family that didn’t practice any faith, but also didn’t discourage her and her siblings to explore their options. The town she grew up in was heavily Christian, as were her closest friends. So that’s what she identified with, even though she didn’t really know what that meant. By the end of high school, like many teens, she was tired of being the “goody two shoes” and decided to change her lifestyle when she entered college. However, she didn’t trust any of the people she met who drank and partied, so she gave up that idea. She attended a group on campus that consisted of both Catholics and Protestants and became good friends with people from both faiths. She still didn’t really understand what any of it meant to her, even though she was heavily involved. She decided that she either had to quit going, or believe in the Christianity she was participating in. That led her to learn more about faith and had some wonderful mentors who helped her understanding. After a while, she got Baptized. That moment of grace led to a quickening of learning, understanding, and greater desire for a relationship with Jesus. She attended Catholic Mass and soon entered the classes to receive her First Communion and Confirmation. She became involved in teaching young people and helping in the parish Youth Group. At one time she thought she might become a Sister, but that was not to be. Later, she learned about another vocation – Consecrated Virgins. The more she learned about it and prayed about it, the more she knew that’s what she was being called to. A few years later after formation, she took the vows of a Consecrated Virgin. Now she is the Campus Minister of the Newman Center. She loves her job and loves her life. She is an amazing story of searching, learning, and holiness. I was grateful she shared it with me.

I Found God today in a friend who is a Consecrated Virgin.