Part of My Story, Which Might Help You

By Kathryn Bowers, Cap Corps DC 2025-2026

“Jesus, I believe in Your tender love for me.”*

On fall retreat

In hard moments, I have made this simple prayer. God spoke what I needed to hear when I reviewed my journal on two recent occasions. He is with me, even if I feel terrible and confused. 

I only have one life to live. God has placed supports in my life, including my therapist, spiritual director, and other unexpected people who have helped me, such as someone at my service site. I also have spiritual supports, saints who are spiritually present to me, like Mother Teresa, St. Padre Pio, and Our Lady.

“Am I not here, I who am your Mother?” (Langford, Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Mother 37).+ Our Lady of Guadalupe was present to me several times in one day, including through a picture of her right behind where I was sitting in prayer with a Capuchin brother. Moreover, the Marian Consecration that our community did near the beginning of our Cap Corps year has borne fruit.

Cooking as a community during orientation retreat

Spiritual writers and holy people advise to love in the present moment.^ The Crusaders of Mary have challenged me to be intentional, for instance, to pray during a prayer period as if it were my last one. Moreover, Mother Teresa has inspired me through her emphasis on smiling, cheerfulness, and joy for her Missionaries of Charity, who serve the poorest of the poor.~ 

I need to let go of what people think and try to help others get to heaven--to take risks in my choices like the saints. - What do I have to lose? I need to be more detached and not look forward so much to human comforts. Heaven is the goal.^^ #saintmodenotsafemode

Finally, I need God’s help in the hard moments: “Jesus, be in me the hero of the heroism of the virtues” (D’Elbée I Believe in Love 107). 

Kathryn with Elias, Br. Pablo & Logan (missing Alex!)

Kathryn while doing ministry at service placement, Christ House

Kathryn's Citations:

*I saw a similar prayer in the Missionaries of Charity convent on Otis St.

+ Also generally known as what Mary told Juan Diego.

^ An example: ”I would live the present moment and fill it with love. For if I wait, the things I wait for will never happen” (Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan). 

- Risk-taking is one of the key principles of Encounter School of Ministry.

~ Here is a beautiful witness to profound and dedicated love: “I was so happy to see a sister cleaning the toilets because they were shining. She must have cleaned them with great love and done it in the presence of God” (Mother Teresa Total Surrender 123).

^^I think this was emphasized in a talk at Cap Cafe Spring 2026 by Fr. Mike.