Spring 2025 - St. Bernard's Magazine (1) - Flipbook - Page 8
TRANSFORMING YOUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
by Carla Cardona
My experience in the Certificate in
Evangelization program was fundamental in my discernment to pursue further
study in St. Bernard’s Master of Arts in
Theological Studies. Seeing that the
Certificate was offered in conjunction
with the Saint John Society ultimately
pushed me to take it.
The Saint John Society has a unique
charism, and their priests are filled with
the Holy Spirit. Pursuing the Certificate
was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,
and it was one of the best decisions I
made. It deepened my faith in a
profound and beautiful way. The
Church’s tradition is immense and rich,
and studying theology has the power to
transform your relationship with God. I
had a good foundation from my own
studies, always nurturing that part of my
faith, but I had never considered doing it
formally until now.
After receiving my certificate, I missed
the classes dearly, which is why I
decided to pursue the Master of Arts in
Theological Studies. It was all
providential. I knew I was making the
right decision when I was accepted on
the feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, and
later after a meeting with Dr. Kuhner, I
shared that reading the Song of Songs
had given me a profound experience of
God’s love, even before fully grasping
its meaning. He then told me St. Teresa
of Ávila had written a commentary on it
after having a similar experience. I was
in awe — this wasn’t the first time she
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had spoken to me. The first was through
her work, The Interior Castle. As I read it,
I couldn’t believe I had found a guide to
what I was going through in prayer.
I'm telling you this story not because I
think I'm smarter than other people — far
from it. I tell you this because when you
strive to know God, the Holy Spirit will
enlighten you. St. Teresa of Ávila
confirmed I was on the right path once
again.
Carla Cardona is an attorney specializing in
international human rights law and international
relations, and a former diplomat now serving as a
labor mediator and project manager in the public
sector. She is passionate about evangelizing young
adults and currently serves as president of STAY,
the young adult board at St. Thomas Apostle in
Washington, DC. She holds a Certificate in
Evangelization from St. Bernard’s and is pursuing
a Master’s in Theological Studies with a focus on
systematic theology.
“In the Castle,” by Nicholas Roerich, 1913
