Katey Norman

G.K. Chesterton wrote "Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God." Born with a deep desire for adventure, the Lord permitted me to knock on several doors of immorality, unknowingly looking for Him. Born into a Catholic family, I grew up with a foundation of understanding God and His teachings, without understanding that His love and mercy were not just things to learn, but a reality He wanted me to experience through a relationship with Him. My initial university days were spent trying to find validation outside of this relationship through partying and unhealthy relationships. Knowing I needed a change, I tried to transfer Universities. I had heard of Franciscan University through my grandmother and thought it might help fill the emptiness that my lifestyle was bringing about. Unfortunately, I had partied my grades away and I was denied admittance.

Frustrated, I decided to backpack to Australia, seeking adventure again, but falling further into sin and despair. I continued to lose any grasp I had on understanding my true identity, and after several months of moral wandering, I had no choice but to return home. After several weeks back, my mother (a living saint) invited me to go to a communal penance service with her. I had nothing to lose, so I went. It was here that God broke open the walls and hardening I had in my heart to understand His true mercy and love for me as His daughter. A priest ministered to me as only Christ could and forgave me the years of sin as He invited me back to knowing who I was and what kind of life I was created for.

Shortly after this transformative encounter in the Sacrament of confession, I received a phone call from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Fr. Michael Scanlan, a priest at the University had come across my application and felt that the Lord was calling me to Steubenville. I was admitted as a student and spent the next three years having radical encounters with the Trinity and diving deep into truths that I had been avoiding for so long.

I graduated with my Bachelors of Theology and a new thirst to bring God glory in the adventure of my life. He is still leading me to new heights of His love and goodness.

Today, I am incredibly blessed to have the head and heart knowledge of my identity as priest, prophet and king. I know that I am my Father's and that He has greater plans for me than any I could make for myself.