Liza’s Journey of Faith

Photos by Jennifer Debarros Photography
 
From the moment we sat down, it was clear I should have brushed up on my Latin. Ad majoriam Dei gloriam (A.M.D.G.), cura personalis, Magis, Ite inflammata omnia – all familiar phrases to those immersed in Ignatian spirituality – roll gracefully off the tongue of new Gonzaga Prep aluma, Liza Christopher. Christopher holds dear the tenets shared by the students and staff of Prep, and credits the Catholic school system for inspiring her to live her faith actively rather than passively - to travel through life as a person for others rather than a person for herself.
 
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
“All for the greater glory of God,” is integral to Gonzaga Prep’s culture. Christopher explains, “You are doing it all for Him. We are living A.M.D.G., then we are to take it all out into the world.” Christopher is strong and grounded in her Catholic faith, but acknowledges the normalcy of doubting, especially while navigating the nuances of high school and adolescence. Still, the reminder of the A.M.D.G. philosophy, woven into the mundane experiences of everyday life at prep, creates an environment of purpose and higher calling - to do more, do it well, and do it for God.
 
Christopher recalls how genuinely welcomed into the A.M.D.G. mindset she felt at freshman orientation. Though she was already familiar with the campus and faculty (her mother, Mrs. Jennifer Christopher, is a beloved teacher at the school), she felt a renewed sense of commitment to care for each student on the road to success. This commitment became even clearer when, four years later, she served as a freshman class mentor. “This is what we do (here). We learn about and live the Faith. There is a sense of community. They really make it known they want to make sure you as an individual succeed.” The community flourishes when the talents of each member are used for the greater glorification of God.
 
CURA PERSONALIS
Christopher’s support system was solid as she was further introduced into the service aspect of the Prep community after freshman year. She explains, “It’s not just how I can help you, but how you can help each other.” Cura personalis, or “care for the entire person,” refers to the way true service involves nurturing each other’s uniqueness. Personal development grows within a service culture.

"Get out of your comfort zone and be open to any experiences that come your way."

 With this in mind, Mr. Tyler Hobbs, Director of Community Service, headed the Margins Program, which Christopher joined upon its foundation in 2016. That year, the group took a spring break trip to the L.A. suburb, Compton, CA, to work with an after-school  program. Christopher realized right then that she wanted to be a teacher. “I’ve enjoyed volunteering and working with kids. I felt like I shined and was myself and felt God’s presence through the kids.” She believes that in Catholic schools, students are recognized for their personal talents and allowed to pursue their interests. The effects of Cura personalis now allow Christopher to pass on this love of service to her future students.
 
As juniors, students mature in their friendships and classes come together. “Junior year is when you have Search; it bonds your class together. You get that understanding of what Prep is about; it’s a full experience.” To all Prep graduates, the fullness of the Search retreat means something different – the happenings of the retreat are meaningful and shrouded in secrecy, which only enhances the sacredness of the bonds formed.
 
MAGIS
This bond springboards students into the senior year Magis retreat, a student-led weekend at Ross Point. Magis refers to the deepness or “more-ness” of the Ignatian spirituality and relationship with Christ and others. What bonds students at the Search retreat now serves to propel them forward through the Magis. “After Search you feel more open to be yourself and know that everyone is there for you and loves you; then you share more at Magis. This is when you look to the future. This is when you prepare to take the faith-filled journey with you and set the world on fire.” At this time, the layers of Catholic faith from the four previous years culminate to the point where “it” all comes together.
 
As a Magis team leader, Christopher prepared to lead the spring Magis retreat by joining a small group of senior
classmates who went through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Leading the retreat gifted Christopher with a renewed confidence in her faith community. The Magis experience was “life-changing and brought me to a whole new level of my faith.” This is when Christopher felt really connected with God, both as a higher power and a friend. Coach Dave McKenna leads Team Magis and prepares the student leaders to take others through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. “Coach McKenna helped me build a relationship with and become better friends with God. He references God as a ‘buddy’ of his. So when I’m struggling, I remember God as a friend.”
 
ITE INFLAMMATA OMNIA
Summer breaks found Christopher at Legendary Lodge Catholic Summer Camp, the Diocese of Helena’s weeklong ministry where students grades 5-12 explore the truths of the Catholic faith. Located on an island in beautiful Salmon Lake, the camp is northeast of Missoula less than four-hours from Spokane. “This is where my faith life turned again.
 
There was more of a communal aspect to the faith than individual. It was great to see groups where everyone participated at once - groups that were passionate ... and singing God songs.”
 
Last year, Christopher took part in the Spokane-Cagli sister city exchange program through the Chase Youth Commission. This two-week cultural immersion experience in Italy, “was enlightening and where I learned how to adapt to a totally different way of life and culture. Part of my family is Italian, so this was neat to see.” As a leap of faith, Christopher signed up for the Italy trip without knowing who else was going. While such a leap is often challenging for young people, she encourages incoming freshman to, “get out of your comfort zone and be open to any experiences that come your way.” You never know what inspiration you may find.
 

"To all Prep graduates, the fullness of the Search retreat means something different – the happenings of the retreat are meaningful and shrouded in secrecy, which only enhances the sacredness of the bonds formed."

Her four years of Prep have taught her just that, and she draws on her faith to move outside her comfort zone or try something new. Christopher’s next leap will land her at Arizona’s Grand Canyon University. “One of the first things I did when I applied was make sure there was a Catholic church there.”
 
Now, as Christopher enjoys graduation festivities and all she has accomplished, she reflects on her younger sister, Meg. Each week, Liza and Meg took turns driving one another to school. The 19-minute car ride could be quiet or filled with chatter about schoolwork and friends, or blaring with music from their morning play list. The sisters grew closer as Liza watched Meg mature and encounter her own purpose. Liza observes ways Cura personalis nurtured and encouraged Meg’s entire person. Liza will not be driving her sister to school next year, but Meg will dive into the Magis and find the confidence to take on the rest of the world.
 
Ite inflammata onmia: “Go forth, and set the world on fire.” Christopher knows that moving through college and adulthood will challenge her and require leaps of faith; still, she also knows that her Catholic school roots have equipped her to go out and light up some of the world’s darkness.