In a recent Finding Jesus Friday, a weekly series of video interviews conducted at Arizona State University and posted to Instagram, Maria Breeze shared her reflections on her time at ASU and how she has seen the Lord work throughout her time there. 

“Growing up, I was raised Catholic and I am extremely grateful for that, but I never really understood for myself and I never had a deeper connection with the Lord,” Breeze said in her video. “Going into college, that’s something that I really wanted to work on and understand. Freshman year, I joined ASU Catholic and I met some amazing people who kept me coming around, and then I went on fall retreat and that is where I really saw what it meant to have a deeper connection with the Lord.”

During her time at the fall retreat, Breeze says that she was inspired by the experiences of others and by hearing their testimonies. 

ASU Catholic member Maria Breeze | Instagram

“Flash forward to spring semester, I went on the Fan Into Flame Retreat and this is where I really had my deeper understanding of the Lord for myself,” Breeze said. “I knew that I was Catholic and that's why. It showed me why I am Catholic and it also gave me the spark to go on a mission and share what I had learned throughout that retreat.”

Breeze said that she signed up for a mission trip to Jamaica and though she got accepted, her parents were not pleased about her leaving the country. But Breeze felt called to go and she took part in the trip. 

“When I was there, I experienced a new kind of love for Jesus and his love for us, and especially for those in poverty and those suffering,” Breeze said. “Seeing their trust in the Lord pushed me on and made me want to have the same kind of trust.” 

Breeze says that since the trip, she has been committed to having that deeper trust and relationship with God. 

“I hope you all are staying safe and keeping your hearts set on the Lord,” Breeze said.

Breeze, a junior, studies business entrepreneurship at ASU.