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Meet the Mar 4 - 10, 2025
TBP Fellows
Agate
Latvia
The most important thing for me would be to learn something new about faith-to grow closer to God and strengthen it. In my daily life, there are no religious people around me, but I would like to learn and have such a strong faith that I could help them grow closer.
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Caleb
Minnesota, USA
To me, TBP means I get to have an experience with peers within the Church and have a chance to grow closer to the Lord.
Cathryn
Texas, USA
This project excites me deeply. I was able to do an apprenticeship with FOCUS last year in which I engaged with seminary-level material. It would be a dream to go to Rome and walk the same streets drenched in such historical significance, a tangible reminder of our story as the body of Christ. This experience seems to be deeply enriching, an invitation to experience the Lord and His goodness at a new angle, and I would be honored to share about this experience with others. I've also never been out of the United States, and I couldn't think of a better opportunity to do so.
Clotilde
Germany
The goal of beauty is to bring peace and rest to the soul. Moreover, I discovered how essential beauty is in friendships—not the fleeting kind tied to sin, lust, or superficial pleasures, but the deep, lasting beauty that often requires effort and perseverance to attain. I hope that this Immersion in Rome will help me deepen my longing for and understanding of beauty, as well as give me new perspectives on how to acquire beauty. The pursuit of truth is also very dear to my heart. Today, our world is filled with confusion, falsehoods, and misinformation. There is a widespread lack of knowledge and a diminishing desire to seek truth. I try to seek the truth, knowing that it will always come to light, and we must prepare ourselves to face it. Truth also means being honest with ourselves—admitting our faults, recognizing where we have not been true to God or to others, and allowing His truth to shine on us and transform us.Through the immersion I hope to get new insights on how to integrate both more deeply in my life. I am confident, that TBP will, lead by prayer and faith and the community around Christ, bring many fruits. I hope to discover beauty in the city of Rome, in new friendships, and within myself. I also look forward to deepening my understanding of the profound truths found in the Bible, our faith, and society.
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Diana
Australia
​It would be my saving grace. I'm starting over and I'm glad that even in the obstacles and changes I've experienced in the past, my Faith has been a constant, through the darkest of times. I'm in Kenya and I attended a voluntary workshop run by the Parish, as an initiative to form Catholics in architecture on the theological and liturgical standards for designing sacred spaces. There seems to be a lack of appreciation of Beauty, a want for the elevation of the soul. I think it's telling of something deeper. A mirror to how we view the faith, a lack of appreciation of Beauty,
reverence for Him, and lack of integral importance of how we create these spaces to show our reverence. There needs to be a revival and elevation of the only thing that truly matters. Him. TBP came to mind when I sat in those pews and thought this would be a perfect gateway to explore how culture, tradition, and renewed love for the Faith can elevate these spaces as a Masterpiece of His love. What a great gift that would be. I look forward to this opportunity to be part of the Truth & Beauty Project and steer the experience to make a change in the Catholic community in Kenya.
Emily
USA
I'd like to grow in humility to hear and respond to what the Lord would like for me to do with this life he has graciously given me, to grow deeper in wonder of the Lord and his creation, and to more fully come alive and live well. I have no doubt that through this Immersion, through the instruction, guidance, and education TBP provides, I can come to truly receive the Lord's love, fall deeper in love with him, and by extension, live radically and joyfully in that love, and authentically extend that love out to all who I encounter.
Emma
Hungary
I look forward to growing in my faith and appreciation of Christian Culture.
Fabiola
Mexico
This will be a great opportunity to know more about our beautiful faith and how this is linked with the beauty we can see. I really think TBP is a great instrument of evangelization! I'm also very excited to study and get to know people from all over the world.
Isabel
Spain
I look forward to an enriching experience and a great way to learn about faith and find inspiration surrounded by amazing people in a beautiful city
Kathleen
Canada
God has blessed me beyond belief through my life, and I have found enough support and encouragement in my journey to be as strong in my faith as I am now. I have never been to Rome, but it would be the fulfillment of a life-long dream! I am awe-struck by the beautiful art I see in photos and often meditate with sacred pictures... to experience such beauty in reality would be an incredible privilege and gift. I discovered that learning and studying the faith, according to the afforded means, is essential to live as a disciple of Christ. Learning, reflecting on, and discussing all that is true, good, and beautiful fills me with life! I always find myself revived in gratitude to God, and inspired to share that goodness with others by living as His disciple. I am always thirsty for truth and beauty!
Laura
Latvia
TBP will inspire a closer connection with the things that truly matter-faith, love, purpose, and community. I hope it will be a journey of personal growth, helping me appreciate not only the beauty of creation around me but also the beauty within myself and others. Through this journey, I know I will feel more connected to God, seeing His hand in everything, and experiencing a joy and peace that comes from aligning with truth and recognizing the beauty He's placed in the world.
Maria Anastasia
Canada
While I was only in Rome for one week, seeing its history, its treasure of Churches, relics, classical art, and architecture, I felt lit up with inspriation and excitement. Participating in the Truth & Beauty Project would allow me to dive more deeply into Rome's culture and faith, but in a very structured and guided way that I could never create on my own. It also offers a community, which is deeply important to me. I think beauty is meant to be shared, and exploring it with others will only increase my appreciation of it. Attending this programme, I hope to engage with other young people and be inspired in new ways to see how God wants me to share my gifts. I try to be led by my desires and what God puts before me in each moment. I was recently inspired to host a night of creativity where each attendee could share a piece of writing or hand-crafted work of art around a warm fire, with mulled wine and cozy treats. It seems there are so few opportunities to share our creativity right now, and in a world that seems overly preoccupied with death and darkness, I believe Catholics are especially called to share their gifts with others and pursue excellence through cultivating personal virtue. This programme would be a fantastic springboard to whatever future professional or apostolic projects God might lead me.
Milda
Lithuania
This will be a wonderful opportunity to grow in courage. Italy has such a deep history, filled with ancient relics and stories of the saints!
Nicholas
Ukraine
The opportunity to be formed in Truth and Beauty in the heart of the Church in the Eternal City with other Christian young adults from around the world will make a big impact on me and help in my growth and formation.
Nikola
Canada
In the spring of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Rome while studying at Oxford. The week I spent there filled me with awe and wonder.
I have always dreamed of using my art to inspire hope in others and also foster a deep trust in the goodness of God. The classical beauty of Rome evoked exactly that feeling in my soul. When I learned about the FIAT project through a friend, my heart leapt. I believe John and Ashley understand the importance of sharing God's beauty and the truth of faith with the world-especially in our current time.
Parker
Texas, USA
TBP would mean exploring the roots of my new-found faith and sharing in the delight that Christ has with his family of saints. When my godfather visited Rome, he experienced a pivotal moment in the courtyard of the Vatican. He told me that when he looked up at all of the saints, he got a sense that they were telling him "we did our part, now it's time you do yours." It was this moment that he claims provoked his pursuit of the diaconate. While I know that everyone's story is different and don't expect the saint statues to tell me my life's mission, I do trust in God's providence and know that he will use this experience for greater formation in my life, God willing.
Paulina
Poland
This will be a moment to reflect on myself as a young adult Catholic. I'd like to see culture and faith merge from someone's else perspective. I wish to refresh my thoughts and ideals.
Reese
Illinois, USA
Finding a healthy, strong, Catholic community of artists is very difficult in this current day and age. To be able to take this program and grow spiritually and artistically, then become part of a faith community would mean more than anything.
Rosalyn
Texas, USA
TBP would be an incredible blessing and experience that could deepen my understanding and appreciation for the Catholic faith. To encounter the history, art, and liturgy of the city will acquaint me with the roots of the faith, in such a tangible way that it could not be forgotten. I would love for God to use this experience for my formation in motherhood, by deepening my understanding of my purpose and direction in life. In addition, this might be my only chance to travel abroad as I am soon to finish college and will be tied to work, or God willing, children.
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