What comes to mind when you ponder God's design for you as a woman?

This is such a big question and I really struggle to give a short answer to this. Firstly, before any other vocation, we are daughters of God. He is our Creator and our Father, and we should rest in His love and seek His will in all we do. As women, the first place to seek examples of how to embrace this daughterhood of God, is in the Holy Scriptures. One passage worth reflecting-on is Proverbs 31:10-31, which includes beautiful phrases such as “Strength and dignity are her clothing”, or “she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” These challenge us. For example, the latter phrase I mentioned reminds us that something like gossip culture which has become a stereotype of women, is not in God’s perfect design for us. But this is just one example of thousands that can be found in all of the books of the Bible.

Every woman has the capacity to live out God’s plan for her in the vocations reserved for women such as religious life, or being a wife or mother, using the unique gifts God has bestowed on us through our womanhood to love those around us more and more perfectly. We have such beautiful examples of what this practically looks like in so many incredible saints and their lives, but first and foremost, in our Blessed Mother. We should aspire to become more like her in all we do: seeking her virtues and her love of our Lord.

Can you share with us any hurdles you have had to overcome during your time on campus?

For far too long in high school and the beginning of university, I was so preoccupied with how my secular peers might perceive my catholic faith and so hid it in conversations and friendships. I think this fear of judgement still slips into all of our thoughts every now and then, but I know now that I have come to a place where my faith is the most important part of my life, and I am ready to be unapologetic and unashamed of it. So, although perfecting this will always be a continuous journey, I think the biggest hurdle I have overcome is making sure that my commitment to a relationship with God is consistent across all spheres and settings of my life: whether that be church community, uni, work, family or friends.

Is there any advice you would give to other young women?

God showers each and every one of us with many abundant gifts! These are unique to each of us. But often comparison, jealousy and a preoccupation with the gifts that other women have received steals a lot of our joy and peace. So let’s stop comparing ourselves with each other but rather focus our time and efforts on seeking out the gifts and talents we have received, multiplying them, and using them to bring others closer to God. Then, just like in the parable of the three servants, at the end of our time we may give back to Our Lord what was always His to begin with, and He will look lovingly into our eyes and say “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”