My religious journey began before I was born with my parent’s decision to raise me in the Catholic Church. My spiritual journey, on the other hand, commenced much later—about eighteen years later. I always knew that in college I wanted to learn more about Catholicism. Who would have thought that a small business school in suburban Boston would kickstart my religious journey?

First semester freshman year, I immediately became involved in the Catholic community, attending every event. I absolutely loved getting to know the people, learning more about the faith, and feeling a sense of connection as a new student to Bentley University and the Boston and Cambridge areas. As I became more involved in the Catholic community, I felt a strong pull to the Spiritual Life Center on campus. Run by Rev. Dr. Robin Olson, the Spiritual Life Center encourages students both to delve more into their own beliefs and to learn about others. This past summer, I received an email from Robin inviting me to participate as a representative from Bentley University and the Catholic community in the Boston Interfaith Leadership Initiative (BILI). After spending time in prayer, discerning the opportunity, I decided to say yes, interested in learning more about different religions.

What makes religion so special is partly the beliefs: something to hold onto, something to turn to, objectives for the future. However, through my participation in BILI, I have learned that religion is so much more. A collection of approximately twelve college students from various schools in the Boston area—many of whom practice different religions or identify with no religion at all—we have the opportunity to learn about each other’s beliefs. The personalities of those individuals who possess those various beliefs are what keep me coming to the meetings on Tuesday nights in the basement of Boston University’s Marsh Chapel. What I have learned is religion is also who you are, how you present yourself. It is the decisions you make and the way you interact with others. It is not just beliefs, but actions.

The structure of the meetings begins with with a delicious dinner of rice, chicken, vegetables, and baklava for dessert. Every meeting we shared this dinner, and it was very special. Next, we go around the table and share something special that has happened since our last meeting. As elementary as the sharing might sound, it allows us to get to know each other better on a personal level. After that, someone shares something about their faith. We then listen to a speaker from the community, either in person or via video-chat, each one with a different religious identity. The community speakers illustrate to us how to demonstrate faith as an adult member of society.

The moments of the meetings that stand out for me are when the fellows share their religious experiences. The sharings provide me with an in-depth encounter with the fellow’s religious experiences. I greatly appreciate this opportunity, as the sharings require a personal story. We all have them, and it takes a great deal to reach inside of your soul, analyzing the moments of your religious journey that mean the most and then sharing them with a group. I was very nervous and timid at the thought of sharing a detail of my faith with the group—not because I was uncomfortable, but rather because it felt like a large responsibility. I do not know what everyone’s history with Catholicism is, and it was an honor to speak in front of everyone. I chose to bring a few prayer cards of Saints that I admire. In the Catholic Church, Saints are models that provide examples of holiness for the living.

Planning the retreat proved to be a challenge in some aspects. All of us cared a great deal about ensuring the retreat eas inclusive, welcoming, and meaningful for college students of all religions. The difficulties came in finding a balance between wanting the retreat participants to get to know each other and to have challenging conversations about religion but not wanting to make anyone uncomfortable. The title of the retreat was a subject in which much focus was placed, as the proper title encapsulates the weekend retreat experience. The final title decided on was “Religion at the Dinner Table: Conversations That Matter.”

Watching the fruits of our labor bloom in the form of the retreat was a joyful experience. It was a great, seamless transition to learn even more about everyone’s religion through our dialogues. Students from all over the greater Boston area attended, and that was amazing for us fellows. With so much hate and negativity in the world, the best—no, the only way to understand someone different than you—is to get to know them, to respect them.

“I rejoice, because I have confidence in you in every respect” 2 Corinthians 7:16.

Photo of author taken at Sacré-Cœur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, overlooking the city.