Friends of Santa Paula: a path of friendship, faith, and growth.

Friends of Santa Paula: a path of friendship, faith, and growth.

For several years now, the group Friends of Saint Paula in Vau i Dejës, a city in northern Albania, has served as a meeting place, a training ground, and a space for growth for many girls who journey with us on a human and spiritual path.

Every year the group gets a new look: some girls wrap up their time with us, while others show up full of enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s a living reality that keeps renewing itself, but it always sticks to the same mission: helping young women grow in their relationships, in friendship, and in their faith, supporting them with simplicity and genuine care.

Throughout this year we’ve had tons of meetings, not just at our center, but also through outings around the region.

We’ve made a point to regularly take the girls out of their usual environment so they can open up to the world, meet different people, have new experiences, and let themselves be amazed by the natural beauty surrounding us.

For many of them, these occasions hold special value: poverty or difficult family situations often limit their ability to travel and discover new places.

Accompanying the entire journey was, as always, the figure of Saint Paula. Through understanding her life, her thought, and her spirituality, we sought to let ourselves be guided by the spirit of goodness, service, and trust in the Lord that Jesus continues to pass on to us through his testimony.

Our journey wrapped up on June 14th with a meeting at the parish, inspired by a phrase that meant so much to Saint Paula: “Let’s head to the mountains to talk about God.” After a moment of personal prayer, the girls shared their experience with God in everyday life, who He is for them, how they know Him, how they see Him in their lives, and how they live their faith.

It was an amazing gathering, full of genuine emotions and heartfelt feelings. We’re grateful to God for walking with us throughout this year and helping us grow deeper in our friendship with Him, with ourselves, and with one another.