by Lauren Stark

All my life, I’ve been part of a Catholic faith community. From parents to Catholic schools to the Butler Catholic Community, I’ve been blessed with faith-filled people who support me in my journey. This semester, though, I am studying in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and it’s been quite different.

Before I arrived, I was ready for a booming Catholic presence. But I quickly learned that practicing Catholics are hard to find. Young people especially don’t care about religion here. And that realization scared me. But I knew my faith was important enough and strong enough to survive through this; it would just require a personal approach.

At home, my favorite part of Mass is the community of believers. Here, I focus on the fact that I am part of a universal faith. What an incredible comfort that even though the words are in a different language, I’m still participating in the same rituals, taking the same communion, praying the same prayers!

I also rely greatly on my “God Sightings” journal. Over a year ago, I started writing down one way I saw God each day. Studying abroad is filled with adventures and trials and struggles and triumphs, and I actively search to see God working through every stage.

Finally, I can feel comfort in the Catholic history of Spain. Some of the most beautiful sights here are the cathedrals. I was speechless seeing Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and overwhelmed watching the five-foot botafumiero swing at the Santiago de Compostela cathedral. It’s also been a joy explaining the facets of my faith and its churches to my non-Catholic classmates.

In short, my faith has grown tremendously. I feel personally closer to God after these three months. But, of course, I can’t wait to return to my church at home soon!