Maria Beben is currently engaged in a year of service as the staff writer for Franciscan Mission Service in Washington, D.C. Originally from a small, rural town in New Jersey, Maria graduated from The Catholic University of America in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in theology and religious studies.
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Seeing the same world through different eyes
Notes from the Field - I notice the injustices in the world around me a lot more. I notice the people around me a lot more — the people I interact with on a daily basis, but also the people I pass by and never speak to.
Uncovering the courage to speak
Notes from the Field - Two of the biggest gifts I received from my time at Franciscan Mission Service were courage and confidence. I typically avoid the spotlight at all costs. But God has a sense of humor and ways of pushing us to overcome the things we're afraid of.
Lessons from a year of service: material simplicity and spiritual intentionality
Notes from the Field: My year with Franciscan Mission Service gave me gifts of simplicity. Adding simple prayers to my day strengthened my connection to God, and backing off social media was incredibly freeing.
Reminders from afar teach patience, humility and trust
Notes from the Field - Now that my year of service is over and I'm home with my family for Christmas, I've had a lot of time to think about my time as the staff writer for Franciscan Mission Service.