Mentor and Spiritual Director at GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum
I had the privilege to serve as a Spiritual Director and Mentor at the 2019 Given Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum in DC from June 12-16, 2019.
The Given Institute is an exciting new organization seeking to strengthen young Catholic women leaders. The first Given Forum was in 2016 and was sponsored by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR). The Given Institute was formed after that first Forum to continue the good work begun and carry the mission further.
I pulled the following about the Institute from their website: “The GIVEN Institute (“GIVEN”) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. We inspire and equip the next generation of female leaders to ‘receive the gift that they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.’ Through leadership training, faith formation, and dedicated mentoring, GIVEN forms women for mission and for life.”
This second Forum had approximately 120 young women in attendance along with many religious from the CMSWR. It was so neat to see so many religious in one place (each with unique charisms and habits). I couldn’t resist catching a photo of a number of them playing frisbee. The joy and witness of the selfless lives of the many women religious added to the amazing experience of the Forum. And, no doubt, the prayers of the 120 communities represented by the CMSWR made this event the grace-filled Forum that it was.
The entire Forum was inspiring and so very hopeful. The young women received excellent formation for leadership covering everything from theology to practical skills (such as listening skills, self-knowledge, etc).
If you know any faith-filled young women (between the ages of 21 and 30) leaders, please let them know about the Given Institute and Forum–perhaps they may be interested to attend a future Forum.
And, if interested yourself, all of the presentations will be rebroadcast on EWTN and made available through Given’s website. If you get a chance, check out the talks–they truly were excellent. And, please pray for this new organization and its mission which is so beautiful and faith-filled… and needed!
Photographs of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., are used with permission of the BNSIC.
