Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, inspired Hope College this week with a series of talks. On Tuesday night, Sr. Miriam led a workshop entitled, "Called to Love: A Heart Fully Alive," where she discussed John Paul II's Theology of the Body with Hope College women. One of the participants, Rebecca Pavlock, said, "This was easily in the top five best things I've ever done at Hope." Another student shared, "This is exactly what I needed right now in my life."The following day, Sr. Miriam spoke to a thousand students in Hope College's chapel. Her theme was "God's Masterpiece" and she brought the house down. You can listen to her inspiring talk here. Even President Knapp thought she was great.
Later that evening, Sr. Miriam led the annual Saint Benedict Forum Lent Retreat where she spoke on "Merciful Like the Father: Living in Forgiveness and Freedom." Over a hundred people crammed into Western Seminary's Mulder Chapel to listen to Sr. Miriam's beautiful words. Her talk was followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, and Mass. On the walk back to the car after the retreat, two students stopped us and said what everyone was feeling: "Sr. Miriam! You were so awesome today. You have no idea how much you touched people. Everyone has been talking about you all day. Seriously, you have message that people really need to hear and reached a lot of people with it today. Thank you."
SR. MIRIAM JAMES HEIDLAND, S.O.L.T. is a popular speaker on the Theology of the Body, authentic love and conversion, the healing power of Christ, and the dignity and beauty of woman. She is the author of Loved As I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom through Jesus (Ave Maria Press, 2014).