“Don’t be afraid to open your existence to who you truly are,” Fr. Pietro. Returning back to CUA, exhausted from moving in and getting back into the rhythm of classes, my spirits were low. After spending the summer feeling distant from God, my family, and friends, I came to campus without a driving confidence of spirit. My mind was disoriented, as though I had left apart of myself amidst the woods and prairies of Wisconsin. Everything on campus was familiar, but as though a distant memory and if I were to touch it, everything might fade away.

I could hear words coming out of my mouth, but I could not taste them. I could feel the love of old friends, but I could not embrace them. My heart wondered: Where am I? Why am I here?

As the first few weeks of school passed, my numbness of heart continued, even the familiar unity of the Angelus and CLU meetings could not warm me. It was not until the CLU Kickoff Day where I felt my whole self once more.

Through the words of Fr. Pietro and other witnesses, I was brought face to face with the questions of my heart. I found myself encountered by the totality of my existence: Christ and the many people who bring me closer to Him. It is easy to get caught up in thinking of the movement of CLU as part of a daily routine and forget to acknowledge its greater workings. CLU for me is not only friendship, but a second family, and I was reminded of the importance of the friendship CLU seeks to embrace—a friendship in search of the truth.

It was discussed amongst our company, that our companionship is necessary, for we are not made to create or possess truth because we were created to discover it. Through our friendships we help one another to find the truth, but we also come to understand the truth of who we are. Fr. Pietro notes, “Everything is connected to the Mystery: work, study, eating, and prayer.” Our companionship with one another is the way in which we encounter the mystery.

Through the unity of the Mass and the laughter and chatter at the meal we shared, I knew that I had been met by Christ and I was welcomed home. A friend once asked our CLU group to keep in mind, “What is the horizon of our friendship?”

This, my dear friend, is why we are called together.