by Kyrien Keeton
Two days before her thirteenth birthday, Lauren Marquardt’s best friend, Mary, died of cancer. She didn’t know it then, but that moment would shape everything — her faith, her vocation, and the kind of nurse she is now studying to become.
Lauren and Mary had been inseparable. When Mary was diagnosed in sixth grade, Lauren struggled to make sense of it. “How can this happen to such an incredible person? She’s the nicest girl in the world.” On March 11, 2018, Mary passed away.
Through her friend’s illness, Lauren began to pray every night, the beginning of a personal relationship with Jesus. “I didn’t understand why things had to happen the way they did,” she reflects, “but I understood that there was a greater plan for my life.”
Growing in Faith
This plan started to take shape during her first year at Catholic University. A strong network of Catholic friends began to reinforce her relationship with God, as they invited her to go to Mass with them and take advantage of the numerous Campus Ministry opportunities for prayer and service.
I didn't understand why things had to happen the way they did,” Lauren reflects, “but I understood that there was a greater plan for my life.”
“[Catholic University] is such an incredible place because it can really plant the seed for your faith and gives you such an opportunity to grow,” Lauren says.
At the University, Lauren met friends that “held her accountable” for growing in her faith. And at that point, she explains how her faith transformed into something it had never been before, connecting all the way back to her childhood friend, Mary, even eight years after her passing.
“I am just so mesmerized by His love and how much it can change your life,” Lauren says, recognizing how much God was part of her life in sixth grade, carrying her through the hardship, even when she didn’t notice Him at first.
Looking Forward
That conviction only deepened when Lauren signed up for a spring break mission trip to El Salvador this past March — and found herself thinking of Mary the entire time. During this anniversary of both her birthday and her passing, Lauren had the opportunity to spend lots of time with children.
“That was Mary’s favorite thing to do. She loved little kids. We would always hang out with my little cousins together.” She had the opportunity to offer her testimony while abroad, and Associate University Chaplain Father Bernard celebrated a Mass for Mary.
Seeing her friend face her illness helped Lauren to form a positive outlook in every situation that she explains has “subconsciously shaped [her] perspective on life.” Reflecting on the journey she and Mary endured over the years, Lauren said, “I really am just so at peace with everything. I truly believe that He has such a big plan for me, for everyone.”
As parting words, Lauren offered her perspective on living out the Catholic faith in public. She admits to keeping her faith private for the first few years of her college education, but after attending the Ignite retreat offered by Campus Ministry in January, she realized that it’s normal to have a relationship with Jesus and want to talk about it.
Mary’s experience inspired Lauren to pursue her career in pediatric oncology. Lauren loves Catholic University’s unique approach to nursing.
“Having a Catholic viewpoint as a nurse is the biggest gift…. You just see everyone for who they truly are [...as ] a child of God.”
