Before stepping into Saint Ignatius of Loyola on April 8th, 2023, I felt lost. I had grown up in a Catholic family, where going to church every Sunday was non-negotiable—if we didn’t attend, we couldn’t go out with friends. I had been baptized, made my First Communion, but I never truly understood the word of God.
On April 8th, 2023, at 4:31 AM, I gave birth to my daughter at 17 weeks. The doctors told me she was not alive, but for 10 precious minutes that day, I experienced something profound. In that short time, I felt God’s presence and understood that He is good and always with me. My daughter, with a broken heart and fragile breath, proved to me that there is no love greater than that of motherhood.
The next day, Easter Sunday, I stepped into Saint Ignatius Church at 10:00 AM, and stepped into a new life—a life filled with Jesus and faith. It was a life I have come to cherish more deeply than ever before. That day, I met Laura and Adrian, who guided me through one of the most painful experiences of my life. I joined Alpha, which became the best companionship I could have asked for, and Laura guided me through a program she created, Coeurage, which helped me navigate my grief.
After completing Alpha and volunteering at Saint Ignatius, I began to feel that something was still missing in my life. I knew I needed something more, an additional step, something deeper. It was during one Mass when Father Mike mentioned the Camino candidates, and in that moment, I felt a spiritual calling—a nudge that I couldn’t ignore. Feeling that this was the next step in my journey, I decided to join Camino to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
A year after losing my precious Estelle, I returned to Saint Ignatius of Loyola on Easter Sunday. This time, I wasn’t just walking through the doors—I was walking in to affirm my faith in Jesus, to understand that without Him, I am truly lost. But since April 8th, 2023, I have never felt God’s love as strongly as I do now. It’s a love that surrounds me, strengthens me, and guides me in ways I never imagined.
What has God not done for me? From the very moment of my conception, He has been with me. He created me, chose for me to come into this beautiful world, and blessed me with a loving family and incredible friends. Through His grace, I have learned that the best way to live is by embracing life fully, living according to His word—not just hearing the words, but truly understanding them as a way of life.
I’ve come to realize that God is present in every smile of my students, in every “good morning” shared by others, and in every breath I take.
God has shown me that while we all make mistakes, there is always an opportunity to grow, to change, and to improve. A life built on love and respect is the truest and most fulfilling way to live. For this understanding, I will be eternally grateful.
I am profoundly thankful to Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish for offering me a community that has become my spiritual family—one that has supported and guided me through every step of this transformative journey.
