Here at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA, we celebrated St. Phoebe and uplifted her witness in our community on September 19, 2023 in a prayer service outside of the Chapel of St. Joseph on the SJU campus. We had about 30-35 people in attendance, including students and community members. Maggie Koch, a 2022 alumna of SJU, shared her witness testimony about her experience as a post-graduate volunteer in Ecuador where she witnessed the wonderful, faith-filled ministry of women in the village she was serving in who embodied loving and spirit-filled ministry through daily acts of care for the community. 

After Maggie’s witness testimony, we opened the conversation for all attendees to have a chance to give witness to the women in their own lives who have shared the gospel through their ministry and care. Our conversation was lively and engaged—we actually had to stop the conversation due to time constraints because so many were eager to share about the wonderful women who have helped them and ministered to them in multiple aspects of their lives. 

We then concluded with a blessing and commissioning for student Julia Osaka (SJU ‘25) who was one of the delegates chosen to attend the General Assembly of the Synod in October 2023. It was a beautiful opportunity for us to uplift Julia and send her on her journey to Rome knowing of our prayers for her. 

We are already excited for our St. Phoebe Day celebration this September, and again look forward to praying and supporting others (including Julia) who will be traveling to Rome for the final General Assembly of the Synod. We are grateful and moved by this opportunity to uplift the witnesses of influential women in our lives and communities at this exciting, synodal time in the Church.