Staying Faithful In College
By Pamela McCabe
I began my conversion to Catholicism in my second year of college. Over the summer, I would only occasionally go to Mass with my boyfriend’s family, so I was nervous to attend a service completely on my own in my college town. I attend a small public college, only about 160 in the graduating class, so you can understand my amazement when the first Sunday of the school year I got an email advertising an on-campus mass from the Catholic Club. I walked into the classroom where Mass would be held and found five other pairs of eyes looking at me. This was it… the Catholic Club was made up of only four people and a local priest. I awkwardly introduced myself and admitted I had never been to Mass on my own since I was newly converting, but I have never felt more welcomed and loved than I had felt there. This was the start of my college faith journey. Now, as I get ready to graduate, I’d like to share how I became closer to my faith in a secular school where God was constantly shunned by my peers. I have included a couple Bible verses (Revised Standard Version) for you to look up as you go, these may be helpful to see where these points are rooted in faith.
Community
Community is important, please know you are not alone! It was hard – God, who I loved more than anything – was constantly talked about in a demonizing way on campus. I found my own Christian community through the very small, but ever loving, Catholic Club. The Catholic Club introduced me to other priests and parishes in the area, volunteering options, and even generous people in the community who would invite us over for dinner and conversation. We went on small retreats together and we would all pile into a car to go to adoration or confession; these people held me close to God and I held them, too. Community is encouraging – it is a place where you can learn from those around you and teach others what you have to offer. I suggest going to your local parish and asking what church is in charge of your campus ministry – chances are you will have better luck at finding like minded people at a big school. If you don’t have Mass on campus, try finding someone to carpool with at school or ask the local priest if he can find someone to take you, there are plenty of parishioners who would gladly lend a hand. Take a look at Heb 10:24–25, Ps 133:1, and Rom 12:4-5 for examples of the call to community.
Prayer
Prayer is something that has and always will keep me close to God. It’s easy to skip your prayers at meal time or when you’re studying for an exam, but is it worth it? I came to college three and a half years ago with the prospects of being a Chinese language and culture major; this was more than time consuming. I breathed, ate, and slept Chinese language – I didn’t bother with prayer. I was tired and stretched so far that I thought I might snap in half at any moment. To be completely honest with you, if I had taken a minute everyday to thank God for what I had, the education I was receiving, and asked for strength, I believe I would have been able to do everything I was doing and more. I now pray every day, including a rosary at least once a week, and I have double on my plate – but I couldn’t be happier with my studies, my life, or my job! Everything I do and everything I am, I attribute to God. Look up Phil 4:6-7 and 1 Thess 5:16-18 to see examples of the importance of prayer.
Be Authentic
I don’t think I am able to count how many times I’ve heard, “Wow, you’re nice! Not like other Christians I’ve met.” Be true to what Christ has asked of you: be kind, forgiving, and love people grandly. On many occasions people on campus have tried to make my club into a monster because we are pro-life or don’t support who they do politically. None of us backed down but simply turned the other cheek. We never apologize for being Christian, we ask, with heads held high, if we can have a friendly conversation to explain our thoughts or views. We never judge someone’s soul because of their actions, we pray for those who don’t feel the light of God’s touch. We love all of God’s people and we work hard to emanate that. We’ve run drives at my college for different Catholic charities, like clothes for immigrant workers or food for the homeless, and many people have gained respect for what we do. Many who are not even Christian pitch in and help – this helps create a more in-tune community. My mom’s favorite hymn, that has in turn become my favorite as well, tells us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Take a look at Jn 13:35 and Lk 6:27-36 to see the importance of staying true to what Christ has called us to do.
These are just a few, effective ways to ground yourself in Christian love during the hectic, busy days of college and put God at the forefront of your life. Instead of finding time for God in your schedule, form your schedule around your faith. You’ll always have time for Him this way. Things may get hard and confusing, or you may be tempted to push Him away, but never forget your spirit is stronger when grounded in faith.
