There was not a dry eye in the Chapel of St. Basil as nearly 50 men and women from the UST community listened to Leah Darrow share her journey back to the Catholic faith during her Nov. 14 Community Encounters speaker series appearance. 

Darrow, an international Catholic speaker, writer and host of the popular “Do Something Beautiful” podcast, shared a moving story about the pivotal moments in her life that first led her away from the Church, how shame kept her away and finally the powerful moment mid-photo shoot that began her journey back into faith.

“So much of Leah's talk provoked deep reflection about my life, purpose, experiences, and being a good woman," said Michelle Miller, a student in the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

Darrow also held a short talk specifically for the women on campus preceding her testimony where she offered advice and insights on beauty, faith, modesty and relationships. 

Community Encounters is a speaker series that brings speakers of influence on campus to hold conversations with students and the public at large. The Next Community Encounters event will be in the spring.