Lucy S. '25 Reflects on Her UNIV Conference Experience

 
Senior Lucy S. '25 shares highlights, challenges, and lessons learned from the experience — and how they will continue to shape her.

"The UNIV conference is a gathering of high school seniors and college-age students from all over the world with a different theme each year and presentations on that theme," Lucy explains. The theme for this year’s UNIV conference was Citizens of the World. Lucy had the opportunity to participate in workshops exploring vocation and the teachings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, where she enjoyed discussions on how to live with responsibility, joy, and purpose as everyday citizens of the world. "I loved meeting girls from all over the world and seeing how universal and united the Church is," she says.

Getting to Rome was not an easy task—Lucy saved and raised all the funds to attend the UNIV conference this year. "I fundraised the rest of the money by selling batches of cookie dough to family and friends at Oakcrest. I sold a dozen at a time, for $20 a bag, and raised about $800 doing this!" With hard work, creativity, and the support of the Oakcrest community, Lucy was able to accomplish what she describes as a lifelong dream. "It was really special to visit the Eternal City, while celebrating the resurrection of Christ! I went on the trip with the aim of growing in my faith and having a deeper spiritual commitment to Him."

The trip was truly a time of spiritual growth, where students established habits of prayer and reflection, even amid a packed schedule of sightseeing, conferences, and events. "This trip has definitely taught me to be more grateful for the everyday moments in my life and become more committed to practicing my faith in an open way," Lucy shares. 

Indeed, the routines of each day were enlivened by moments of deep conversion.  Lucy’s greatest takeaway from the trip was "really an appreciation and a full realization of all that Christ was willing to do for us on the Cross." After seeing the relics of the Holy Cross and the Scourging Pillar, she was struck by Christ's immense love. "The question came to me: ‘If He is willing to do that for me, what am I willing to do for Him?'"

These inspiring reflections were all the more poignant during the historical event of Pope Francis’ passing, the news of which broke during Lucy’s flight home. "The whole week we were there, we were praying a lot for Pope Francis and his health and it almost made me feel at peace that he passed and that he passed peacefully," she recalls. Witnessing his frailty firsthand was deeply moving. "He seemed very close to God when we saw him, and I’m confident he’s praying for all of us from Heaven."

Lucy brings home a flood of grace and spirit from her trip to Rome, not only sharing the joy of such a transformative experience, but also gratitude for the support that made it possible. Experiences like these demonstrate how far-reaching the Oakie spirit can be — one that searches for truth, seeks conversion and joy, and strives to grow as a true citizen of the world.