Author: Abigail Rampone

In an unexpected turn of events, I find myself living in my childhood home. Before the pandemic hit, I hoped to find a job that would allow me to stay in New York City among a community of seminarians, activists, and artists. Instead, I’m working remotely from my lilac-painted bedroom, searching for other part-time work…
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Last week I turned in my MDiv thesis, the culmination of three years of graduate work at Union Theological Seminary. This obviously happened under strange and unforeseen circumstances. I have been living with my parents in Vermont rather than in my Manhattan dorm, for one, and my cats have been unexpected writing partners over the…
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As Catholics, we might think that we know all there is to know about Mary. We wouldn’t have Christmas without her, after all. Mary’s backstory is sprinkled throughout the liturgical calendar, from the Immaculate Conception to the Annunciation to the Visitation, culminating on the day when she brings God into the world. Upon reflection, though,…
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Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a common summer undertaking for seminarians. Many large hospitals offer the intensive summer program, which challenges us to put all those lofty ideals into action. At Bellevue Hospital in New York, I spend three days a week offering pastoral care to some of the most underprivileged patients in the city.…
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I’m sitting at the end of my friend’s bed in Sharjah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates (just outside its more famous sister city, Dubai). I’m on my winter break from divinity school and another friend and I have flown here to visit Bushra, one of our best friends from college. We hadn’t seen…
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