From a young age, I have felt a deep calling to live my faith boldly and authentically. Studying Theology at university opened my heart to the transformative power of African and Liberation Theology; expressions of faith rooted in justice, community, and hope. That passion led me to Ghana, where I spent a year in the heart of the equatorial rainforest, helping to build and establish a school. It was a time of profound challenge and grace.
As a woman travelling alone, I was confronted with many barriers, navigating immigration systems, negotiating with village chiefs steeped in tradition, and battling bureaucracy to register the school, all while trying to bring light and learning to a forgotten corner of the world.
Often, I was seen as vulnerable, questioned, and underestimated. But through perseverance, prayer, and the support of others, I came to understand that love truly does triumph over hardship. I wasn’t just building a school; I was planting seeds of hope.
That experience shaped my vocation as a Religious Studies teacher in a Jesuit school for 14 years. It was a joy to share stories from Africa, weaving a love for justice and compassion into the curriculum. I witnessed students’ hearts open as we journeyed together to Zimbabwe and Uganda, encountering the realities of education and displacement. These moments were sacred, watching young people grow in faith and solidarity with the global south.
Immersing myself in Ignatian spirituality deepened my understanding of what it means to put faith into action. The Jesuit ethos taught me to begin with experience, reflect deeply, and move toward meaningful action. I found God not only in scripture and prayer, but in the faces of those I served, echoing Pope Leo’s words in Dilexi Te, to see the face of Christ in others.
Eventually, I felt called beyond the classroom once more. Now, in my role at Jesuit Missions, I have the privilege of engaging with schools, parishes, and young adults, inviting them into a life of solidarity, compassion, and justice. It is a ministry of presence, of storytelling, and of inspiring others to live their faith courageously.
As a woman in the Church, I’ve learned that dedication and sacrifice are not burdens; they are gifts. They are the ways we embody Christ’s love in a world longing for healing. Inspired by St. Ignatius, I continue to seek God in all things, using my experiences to be a witness to the Gospel and striving always to do more, for love and for justice.
