I grew up in a normal Catholic home in Maynooth, the eldest of four children. My parents separated when I was fourteen. My mother took us to Mass every Sunday, but I didn’t feel particularly close to God.
My teenage years were quite typical for most Irish girls, but at age 17 I began to search for a deeper meaning in life. I went on a pilgrimage with my mother to Medjugorje and found the answers I was looking for.
For the first time in my life I felt close to God, I wanted to obey and serve him. This led me to study Theology in St. Patrick's College Maynooth after my Leaving Cert.
Even though I was still going to Mass on Sunday and praying the rosary I found I was getting caught up in the typical “college student lifestyle”.
I knew deep down I wasn’t living the type of lifestyle that Jesus wanted for me but I found it too hard to give up what I was doing.
During my Masters I went through a very painful breakup and found myself turning to alcohol to escape the pain.
I would go out almost every weekend with friends and pretend I was having a fantastic time, but inside I felt very hurt, isolated and unhappy.
Three months after I graduated from my Masters I discovered I was pregnant. I was distraught. I went straight to St. Teresa's Church in Dublin and knelt down and sobbed. I told God I was truly sorry for all my sins and disobedience.
Suddenly I felt an overwhelming sense of calm come over me and a voice in my head said “Come back to me now and everything will be ok.”
I knew that God had a plan for me and I had to put him first always. From that day on my whole life changed.
It was extremely difficult accepting that I was going to have a baby and my pregnancy was extremely strenuous emotionally. I had so many worries about what the future would bring and how I'd cope as a single mother.
I cried myself to sleep most nights because I felt I wasn’t ready to be a mother but my faith got me through those tough times.
My beautiful son Rossa was born on the 27 October 2015. He has brought such wonderful healing and happiness to my heart. He is a gift from God.
Although being a lone parent has its difficulties it is extremely rewarding, my life has a total new meaning. I am a better person because of the love I feel for him.
The January after Rossa was born I joined my local Youth 2000 prayer meeting.
I was very nervous as I didn’t know what to expect but it was fantastic, seeing young people come together to pray every week was beautiful.
Adoration became my favourite way to spend time with the Lord. I've met such wonderful people and have made great friends from the Maynooth Youth 2000 Prayer group.
I had been accepted to do a Masters in Education at the same time I had Rossa so I had to let my place go and consider a different career.
I prayed about it and considered doing something in Pastoral Theology. Wanting to get some experience I asked my parish priest for advice.
This led me to being Youth Leader with the Dublin Diocese pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow.
WYD was an amazing spiritual experience for me. During Mass one day I had an overwhelming feeling and began to sob. I didn’t feel worthy of God's love, how could God have mercy on me, a sinner?
I could feel big fat tears rolling down my cheeks as I listened to Archbishop Cupich of Chicago.
As I walked up to Communion I had an overwhelming sensation to drop to my knees when receiving the Eucharist. I did so and when I stood up I felt like I was a different person.
I went back to my seat and began to cry and thank God for bringing me to Krakow. It's hard to put it into words but I felt forgiven for my sins and truly loved by God.
For the first time in my life I had experienced God's mercy. When I left the church I felt I was walking into a new life, the life God was laying out for me. I left my old life behind in the church. I had received true healing.
Returning home, I found part-time work as a youth retreat facilitator in various retreat houses during the last school year.
I love the job, I believe that God has me exactly where I need to be and I'm hoping to continue this work in the coming months.
In order to strengthen my relationship with God I pray every morning and night. I pray the rosary, do novenas for special intentions (amazing things have happened when I pray novenas).
I go to confession regularly, and to Mass every Sunday and any weekday that I can. But most importantly I'm living the life I know God truly intends for me.
Emma Maloney, 26, mother and part-time youth retreat facilitator
My teenage years were quite typical for most Irish girls, but at age 17 I began to search for a deeper meaning in life. I went on a pilgrimage with my mother to Medjugorje and found the answers I was looking for.
For the first time in my life I felt close to God, I wanted to obey and serve him. This led me to study Theology in St. Patrick's College Maynooth after my Leaving Cert.
Even though I was still going to Mass on Sunday and praying the rosary I found I was getting caught up in the typical “college student lifestyle”.
I knew deep down I wasn’t living the type of lifestyle that Jesus wanted for me but I found it too hard to give up what I was doing.
During my Masters I went through a very painful breakup and found myself turning to alcohol to escape the pain.
I would go out almost every weekend with friends and pretend I was having a fantastic time, but inside I felt very hurt, isolated and unhappy.
Three months after I graduated from my Masters I discovered I was pregnant. I was distraught. I went straight to St. Teresa's Church in Dublin and knelt down and sobbed. I told God I was truly sorry for all my sins and disobedience.
Suddenly I felt an overwhelming sense of calm come over me and a voice in my head said “Come back to me now and everything will be ok.”
I knew that God had a plan for me and I had to put him first always. From that day on my whole life changed.
It was extremely difficult accepting that I was going to have a baby and my pregnancy was extremely strenuous emotionally. I had so many worries about what the future would bring and how I'd cope as a single mother.
I cried myself to sleep most nights because I felt I wasn’t ready to be a mother but my faith got me through those tough times.
My beautiful son Rossa was born on the 27 October 2015. He has brought such wonderful healing and happiness to my heart. He is a gift from God.
Although being a lone parent has its difficulties it is extremely rewarding, my life has a total new meaning. I am a better person because of the love I feel for him.
The January after Rossa was born I joined my local Youth 2000 prayer meeting.
I was very nervous as I didn’t know what to expect but it was fantastic, seeing young people come together to pray every week was beautiful.
Adoration became my favourite way to spend time with the Lord. I've met such wonderful people and have made great friends from the Maynooth Youth 2000 Prayer group.
I had been accepted to do a Masters in Education at the same time I had Rossa so I had to let my place go and consider a different career.
I prayed about it and considered doing something in Pastoral Theology. Wanting to get some experience I asked my parish priest for advice.
This led me to being Youth Leader with the Dublin Diocese pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow.
WYD was an amazing spiritual experience for me. During Mass one day I had an overwhelming feeling and began to sob. I didn’t feel worthy of God's love, how could God have mercy on me, a sinner?
I could feel big fat tears rolling down my cheeks as I listened to Archbishop Cupich of Chicago.
As I walked up to Communion I had an overwhelming sensation to drop to my knees when receiving the Eucharist. I did so and when I stood up I felt like I was a different person.
I went back to my seat and began to cry and thank God for bringing me to Krakow. It's hard to put it into words but I felt forgiven for my sins and truly loved by God.
For the first time in my life I had experienced God's mercy. When I left the church I felt I was walking into a new life, the life God was laying out for me. I left my old life behind in the church. I had received true healing.
Returning home, I found part-time work as a youth retreat facilitator in various retreat houses during the last school year.
I love the job, I believe that God has me exactly where I need to be and I'm hoping to continue this work in the coming months.
In order to strengthen my relationship with God I pray every morning and night. I pray the rosary, do novenas for special intentions (amazing things have happened when I pray novenas).
I go to confession regularly, and to Mass every Sunday and any weekday that I can. But most importantly I'm living the life I know God truly intends for me.
Emma Maloney, 26, mother and part-time youth retreat facilitator
