Marissa Papula, director of Campus Ministry, was recently interviewed on “AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast,” a weekly podcast from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States that invites guests to talk about the impact of Ignatian spirituality in their lives. As part of a special series, “The Work of Lent,” the podcast is focusing on professional Catholics whose profession it is to minister to others.
In the conversation with Eric Clayton, the deputy director of communications for the Jesuits of the US and Canada, Papula discussed her own vocational pull that landed her in her role at LMU. She discusses how she has kept Lent both holy and sacred throughout different stages of her own life. Papula also addresses how temptation can manifest itself in our spiritual lives.
Papula reflected on her time as director of the Kairos Retreat program at Boston College and her Jesuit education. “When I went to college, I had never met the Jesuits before I went to the University of Scranton,” said Papula. “I studied theology, counseling, peace and justice studies. All of those were classes that I just felt like I couldn’t get enough of, and campus ministry offered me connection and community and an opportunity to travel … I felt both held and free in those spaces.” During her life, she said people called out gifts that they saw in her and that fueled her. Papula a lifelong East Coast native, said coming to California was a surprising and unexpected venture in her journey, but she loves the students and team with whom she works.
When asked for a moment of when she realized the significance of reminding others of God’s love, Papula responded, “When I was managing Kairos at Boston College during the 25th anniversary, we got testimonials about the retreat. One alumnus shared that they had the Jerusalem cross, the logo of the Kairos retreat, tattooed on their arm. So, whenever they reach for their toddler, they would see it on their arm, and it serves as a reminder of how they want to parent their child.” She holds onto that story in her heart while overseeing the broad programming that she now manages.
Papula also discusses lent; and how she intentionally plans for it every year. She believes it is both evergreen and everchanging. “What is it about Lent 2025 that is distinct and what is the enduring wisdom that continues to meet us a new, even as our culture and our needs are dynamic,” said Papula. “Lent offers the opportunity to clear the air and notice where God is reaching for us.”
In this podcast, Papula chose to look at temptation and why this is an important theme during Lent. “Being reactive versus being responsive has been in my prayer life. I think much of temptation has less to do with being morally neutral and more to do with dulling the ache of being human and trying to work with that woundedness…. Pain is either transformed or transmitted and if we are going to tend to that pain, that is hard work.” She believes that is what Lent calls each of us to do. Listen to the entire podcast here.
