I was born and raised in a rather traditional Roman Catholic family. I was baptized in the Church just four months after my birth, and received twelve years of private Catholic school education growing up. To say that my faith is a part of who I am is a sad and bleak understatement. My Catholic Christian faith is at the very core of who I am, and surges out into every fiber of my being. The virtues, morals, beliefs, and values that I still carry with me today have been instilled in me ever since I can remember, and I wouldn't have it any other way. This does not mean that I am a crazy, Bible-thumping Jesus freak, but it does mean that my faith, love, and belief in God and Jesus Christ is something that I simply will never, ever be able to deny.

For those of you who are religious in any way, or who are Catholic or Christian like myself, you know just how essential your faith is to your every-day-every-moment life. My love for the Lord and my faith base are always going to be the most important and vital part of me. Without it, I know I am nothing because I believe I am nothing without God.

For the most part, I grew up around like-minded people who often shared the same faith that I do - that's what happens when both sides of your family are Catholic and you're surrounded by tons of other Catholic school kids on a daily basis. The great thing about this is that you are supported, and thus can grow in your faith and continue to learn more about it. The downfall is that often times, you are not as prepared to face all the challenges that the real world is going to throw at you. The truth of the matter is, you can study as much Church doctrine (law) possible and read the Bible and go to Mass weekly like Catholics are supposed to, but you will not truly know the depth of your faith until it is tested firsthand.

I certainly believe that my Catholic-Christian upbringing and education did its absolute best to prepare me for the rest of my life, and for that I am so grateful, but it's implementing it into the real world that is the tricky part. It's taking the theology you studied so vigorously all those years that you have to hold onto when the rest of the world tries to take it away.

In my own life thus far, I cannot think of a greater challenge to my faith than college. Unless you attend a Catholic college, you are most likely attending a public, community, or liberal arts school. These non-denominational schools can sometimes be a serious culture shock to a lot of people. There is so much diversity and different ways of thinking. I find value in diversity, and I have learned a lot from it, but it does not mean that it has to take away from my core system of beliefs.

Being a Catholic at a liberal arts school sometimes feels like you're a pigeon in a flock of geese - you are highly outnumbered, and often easily a target. God forbid you mention 'God' without someone getting offended or acting ignorant towards you. The sad truth is, though, that Catholics and Christians often get that kind of response no matter where they are in life.

That feeling of being an outsider as a Catholic college student rings even louder when you see everyone else - sometimes even your own friends - going out and doing things that you know you shouldn't. But we know that this faith requires a lot of discipline, more discipline than anything else in this life. We also know that in the end, it is going to be worth it.

What I have learned most about being a Catholic in college, is that it truly does not matter what other people think of your beliefs or your actions that follow - so long as you are living your life for God. It isn't easy - for if it was, it would not be worth it. If you are - or have been - a Catholic student in college, you are not alone. We must realize that it is okay to struggle and question and make mistakes - I do all the time. We are not perfect, but we know that His love and mercy for us is. We must also remember to keep an open mind and open heart to everyone around us, so that we can learn and grow from them as we hope they will from us. Ultimately, as long as we work hard to keep the faith, the everyday struggles that we face in college and beyond, are absolutely nothing in comparison to what the Lord has in store for us.