Journey to CSTM: International Students

Charmaine Moraes, M.A.T.M.
India

“I began discerning a call to study my faith when I thought it was time to retire and take it easy.  I was struck by the cost it would incur to study abroad and the physical detachment from family.  Yet, I was filled with the thirst for a deeper connection with God. My mantra throughout my discernment was, God has called, God will provide.

St. Francis Xavier was the patron saint of my parish church and held a special place in my heart.  His meaningful association with St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Peter Faber created strong vibrations as I entered the CSTM chapel for the first time. I fell in love with the sprawling campus and the kindness of everyone I met. I was filled with a strong desire to study here. The Clough School of Theology and Ministry left no stone unturned as it made my desire a reality through funding - God has called, God will provide. I witnessed the hand of God through the admissions process and through securing the visa with ease!

I have finished my first semester and the experience has been phenomenal - from the learned professors and Jesuits, the different faith perspectives in the sharing in classroom and on Canvas, the cultures that students came with to the deep sense of community at CSTM. I feel a sense of peace, contentment, and belonging to the school. Life is surely enriched – new learnings, new culture, new experiences and I am living a fruitful life.  God is with me leading me through it all, and the amazing journey only continues."

Sr. An Hoa Nguyen, LHC, Ph.D.
Vietnam

“When I said 'YES!' to the CSTM, I made it fully and wholly because my journey from Vietnam to a theological school in the United States holds valuable opportunities. It was my academic Fiat. Being a religious sister at Boston College, particularly at the CSTM, offers me a unique and enriching experience involving spiritual, academic, and community engagement. I have tried to pursue holistic knowledge throughout my time at the CSTM with the 3 L’s: to learn, to love, and to live.

A place to LEARN: I desire to use my academic journey to prepare me to contribute to the mission of the church by serving and enhancing the lives of people from immigrant communities. I do ethnographic research, which focuses more on participatory action research to bridge the gap between researchers/scholars/educators and people who are theologians by their lived experience. A place to LOVE: I have experienced spiritual growth and personal transformation during my two-and-a-half years at the CSTM. This is where I engage in spiritual practices, connect with faith communities, and deepen my understanding of my beliefs and values. I am also enhancing my love of studying, a gift from God and my parents. A place to LIVE: CSTM is a place for me to live differently, and to learn to channel my knowledge into wisdom. Because of that, my study is a path of holiness. I experience a call to live what I learn in my everyday life. 

I see many witnesses at this school of how to be an authentic missionary disciple by learning, loving, and living. I aspire to live each moment at the CSTM to become the finest and most authentic self, formed and constantly transformed, by the CSTM community."

Leslee Ambrosio, Th.M.
Philippines

"Even after 15 years of being a religious educator in both grade school and high school and receiving a graduate degree in religious education, I still found myself seeking more knowledge and understanding about the Catholic faith. This desire was coupled with a dream to widen my perspective by studying abroad. Then came the questions: “What are the possibilities? What if?” I met a mentor from Ateneo De Manila University who suggested Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry. When I learned that CSTM is a Jesuit school championing Magis and cura personalis, I knew then that I finally met my match.

Even after I was accepted in the Master of Theology program, I was still plagued with self-doubt. Leaving the Philippines means a series of goodbyes – a farewell to what is secure, stable, and comfortable. It’s a temporary goodbye to my family, friends, ministries in the parish, and to a 'forever summer' kind of weather. A quote came to mind, 'everything we ever wanted is just one step outside our comfort zone.' It invited me to say, 'Hello, courage zone!'

After a period of discernment and many consultations with my loved ones, their overwhelming support gave me the courage to say “yes” to what I consider a new mission. Arriving at CSTM allowed me to meet kind, dedicated, and passionate teachers and peers who continue to help and inspire me to be a better theologian, educator, and Catholic. My period of adjustment is easier because of CSTM’s strong sense of community. My journey here just started and I am excited to see what lies ahead. For now, walking the grounds of Simboli Hall, I can only feel gratefulness to God and to this community I consider my home away from home."

Paulinus Emeka Newke, S.T.L.
Nigeria

“Perhaps ‘providence’ summarizes my journey to the CSTM as an international student. The retreat that preceded my ordination in 2012 marked a significant moment. While articulating my vision for the priestly ministry, I felt a calling to be a Canonist to help in resolving marriage cases in our diocesan tribunal. As I wrestled with the challenge of making the Christian faith meaningful to parishioners who indulged in ‘syncretic’ religious practices in response to various forms of exclusion, poverty, and structural injustice, my interest became one of a desire for an empowering theological education.

Discerning this interest with my bishop revealed the CSTM whose vision and mission became too attractive to ignore. So, the journey began. Of course, it was not initially smooth as I faced the challenge of coping with the high intellectual tradition characterizing Jesuit education as well as the cost of living and studying overseas. CSTM understands these and other challenges of international students. Financially, I have enjoyed CSTM’s generosity and that of the Irish Famine Memorial Fund which supports my studies. My initial fear of adaptability has been assuaged by a community that has stretched out a loving hand to welcome, support, and encourage me in the realization of my goals. Being that love essentially defines the God encountered in its classrooms, liturgy, and social gatherings, CSTM has proved itself to be the necessary environment for a theological reflection that responds adequately to unique pastoral challenges."