How does a new New Yorker make friends and spread faith in the Big Apple? After her TBP Immersion last summer, Cristina Escajadillo (TBP ’23) moved to the city to work for Christie’s Auction House and devised a FIAT project to take advantage of New York’s museums to socialize. “I want to invite my friends to see God where perhaps they didn’t already, and to link theology with common New York activities—similar to the way Rome came alive with the faith after TBP,” she says.
Q: How would you describe the TBP experience? Can you recall a particular moment or story from your trip that you will never forget?
A: My TBP experience was so full of joy. Beyond beautiful Rome, being surrounded by peers—now friends—that live so intentionally in gratitude and love filled every moment with deep happiness. A moment that stands out to me is a small but emblematic one: on the last night of the program, we crossed through St Peter’s Square on our way to dinner. Perhaps it was the sight of the Vatican at golden hour, or being in Rome for one more night, or, most likely, the feeling of gratitude and enrichment of having spent the past week together, we were filled with an overwhelming sense of joy. We didn’t stop laughing as we stopped in the square to take pictures and almost danced we were so happy. This happenstance moment is so emblematic of the richness embedded in of each moment TBP, and the feeling I have striven for since.
Q: Describe your FIAT project. What challenge or gap does it address? Whom does it serve? What excites you most about it?
A: The Truth & Beauty Project reminded me of the important truth that faith does not exist in the silos of mass and prayer, but that I must intentionally put God at the center of everything I do and embed faith into every moment of my life. My FIAT is to bring this mentality to my new community—the New York social scene. I’ve tried to tie together the social inclination of new New Yorkers (the want to be social and cultured) with this Catholic mentality (to intentionally put God at the center of everything). To do this, I have spent the past year bringing friends to iconic New York museums and up-and-coming galleries alike and using art as a vessel to naturally weave faith into our conversations. I want to invite my friends to see God where perhaps they didn’t already, and to link theology with common New York activities—similar to the way Rome came alive with the faith after TBP. TBP reminded me to intentionally and outwardly make God the central pillar of all my friendships, and I want to invite my friends to do the same.
Q: TBP aims to transform the lives of those who spend a week with us in the living classroom of Rome. Do you agree with that?
A: Absolutely! TBP has transformed my life in three fundamental ways: 1. By teaching me how to share my faith—Since my summer in Rome, I wear my faith on my sleeve, and I have learned to share my Catholicism in a way that invites questions. This year, I have had far more spontaneous conversations about Catholicism than I’ve ever had, which brings me a lot of joy. 2. By reminding me to trust in the Holy Spirit—I am learning how to be quiet and listen, to be certain in deep uncertainty, and even to find joy in it. 3. By helping me make joy my predominant mindset.
Q: What’s next for you in your FIAT and/or in your life?
A: I will continue living in New York for the foreseeable future. I have found a strong Catholic community here and want to continue to grow in it. I recently started a job as a Product Manager at a tech consulting firm. My FIAT will continue (probably forever) as I build more connections in the city, and I am very excited for the year to come!
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