05/09/2026
Name : Cecelia (cici)
A saint inspires you:
St. Hildegard of Bingen inspires me deeply. As a mystic, composer, poet, philosopher, naturalist, and founder, she embodied a life of remarkable breadth and purpose. More than her achievements, I admire how she expressed femininity as something active, creative, and spiritually vital. She wrote profoundly on the role of women in both creation and spiritual life. In that spirit, I strive to work diligently, excel in my field, and remain engaged in my community—while recognizing that my femininity is not incidental, but essential and life-giving in all that I do.
one moment outdoors where you felt especially close to God:
I felt especially close to the Lord in the backcountry on a recent college trip I instructed. It was during Lent, and knowing I would spend much of those forty days in the wilderness, I asked God to help me accept and grow through whatever suffering came. Backcountry life is demanding, but that week, on the river, climbing, hiking, and canyoneering, the Lord made it clear that He was not leaving me in hardship. Instead, it became a time of deep community, prayer, and unexpected joy. In a quiet moment, I felt Him say: your sacrifice is not in vain, and it is not forever. Let me love you. All week, the Lord poured out an unexpected abundance of mercy, giving me far more than I thought I deserved.
Favorite piece of gear:
I’m especially stoked about my goose down gear. My puffy jacket and sleeping bag are easily the best I’ve ever used. When I zip into my jacket or crawl into my sleeping bag, it feels like I can be happy anywhere, no matter how cold, remote, or uncomfortable the setting might be.There’s something hard to beat about down. It’s light, compressible, and incredibly warm, and it turns cold nights into something I actually look forward to. In its own simple way, it makes the backcountry feel a little more like home!
