Category: catholicism

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#TIH: The Convergence of Truth & Memory St. Barbea of Edessa, Upper Mesopotamia

The City of Edessa By Bernard Gagnon Courtesy of Wikipedia

Our Posts–Education, Faith, and Feminine Spiritual Transformations

Joan of Arc by the Author via Generative AI

Every topic we’ve explored—economics, faith, women’s financial autonomy, the politics of truth—has really been a study in memory. Who remembers. Who forgets. Who gets written into the story of a nation, a family, a church, an economy. And who has to fight to be seen. At its core, this work is about how memory shapes identity, and how identity shapes the choices women make in a world that is always negotiating power. Truth is one of the most powerful forms of currency.

What looks like separate topics between economics, Catholic spirituality, women’s financial literacy, truth and transformation, has always been one conversation. We’ve been studying the point of convergence: where memory becomes identity, where identity becomes history, and where history becomes story. At that crossroads, women make choices that reveal who they are and what they believe. This is the terrain where truth is chosen, not inherited. Therefore, when you understand the world, you can make choices in it. Also, there are so many women that have been martyrs and leaders, and they go unnoticed and unwritten about today.

Edessa, Upper Mesopotamia, St. Barbea

Convergence is the moment when spiritual truth, political pressure, and personal identity collide — and the choice you make reveals who you are. Few places in the ancient world embodied this collision more fully than Edessa. Born from the collapse of empires, it rose on a fault line of history a frontier city where Arab kings, Roman legions, and Persian armies contested not only territory but allegiance. Perched between worlds, Edessa functioned as both buffer and battleground, a place where control depended less on walls than on the loyalty of its people. Shifting between Parthian, Armenian, and Roman rule, the city learned early that power here was provisional: armies could occupy its streets, but belief determined whether authority endured. January 29th is the feast day of St. Barbea who is honored here today.

Saint Barbea of Edessa: Holding To Conviction

Saint Barbea of Edessa was an early Christian martyr from Syria, remembered primarily for her courage during the persecutions under Emperor Trajan. She was the sister of Saint Sarbelius and was converted to Christianity through the influence of Saint Barsimeus, a prominent Christian leader in Edessa.

St. Barbea image by the author via generative AI

Once she embraced the faith, Barbea practiced it openly despite the intense hostility toward Christians at the time. Her refusal to renounce Christ led to her arrest and brutal torture. According to tradition, she endured:

  • burning with hot irons
  • severe scourging
  • and ultimately death by spear

Throughout these ordeals, she remained unwavering in her devotion.

Barbea is considered a pre‑congregation saint, meaning her veneration predates the formal canonization process of the Catholic Church. She has no specific patronage or iconographic symbols associated with her, but her legacy endures through the commemoration of her feast day on January 29. She is honored as a model of loyalty, courage, and steadfast faith, especially among those who look to the early martyrs for inspiration. Her story stands as a testament to the strength of conviction and the power of belief in the face of persecution.

Epistemic Memory

This is interesting because where your epistemic memory is matters. I included this in my graduate school thesis, and I will share it here on the site. It is all about memory and story and it is key to any people’s and nation’s survival.

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Saint Josephine Bakhita: Patron Saint of Those Who Have Been Sex Trafficked

Saint Josephine Bakhita stands as a quiet but powerful witness to survival, dignity, and hope. She is the patron saint of people who have been trafficked, abused, and exploited—especially those subjected to slavery and sexual violence. Her life reminds us that sanctity can rise even from the deepest suffering, and that no human being is ever beyond redemption or worth.

From Enslavement to Freedom

Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan. As a young child, she was kidnapped by slave traders, torn from her family, and sold multiple times. During her captivity, Bakhita endured brutal physical abuse, psychological trauma, and repeated violations of her body and dignity—experiences that closely mirror what many survivors of sex trafficking face today.

Her captors gave her the name Bakhita, meaning “the fortunate one,” a cruel irony given the horrors she endured. Over time, she was forced to forget her birth name and even her native language, a devastating loss of identity that is common among trafficked victims.

St. Josephine Bakhita for kids

Encountering God in the Midst of Trauma

Eventually, Bakhita was brought to Italy, where slavery was no longer legal. For the first time, she encountered kindness without violence and authority without abuse. It was there that she learned about Christianity and came to understand God not as another master, but as a loving presence who had been with her even in her suffering.

Bakhita later said that if she met her captors again, she would kneel and kiss their hands—not because what they did was acceptable, but because, through her suffering, she came to know God. This radical forgiveness does not erase injustice; rather, it reveals a profound spiritual freedom that no chains could destroy.

Why She Is the Patron Saint of Trafficking Survivors

Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking because she lived their reality. Her sainthood does not romanticize suffering; it validates it. She represents:

Survivors who have been silenced

Bodies treated as commodities

Lives fractured by exploitation

The long, painful journey toward healing

Her life tells survivors: You are not defined by what was done to you. Your dignity is intact. Your story is not over.

A Saint for Our Time

Human trafficking is not a problem of the past—it is a global crisis happening in plain sight. Bakhita’s story urges us not to look away. She challenges us to listen to survivors, to support organizations that protect the vulnerable, and to confront systems that allow exploitation to thrive.

Her holiness was not forged in comfort, but in endurance, compassion, and love. In a world that often reduces trafficked persons to statistics, Saint Bakhita restores the human face.

A Prayerful Call to Action

Honoring Saint Josephine Bakhita means more than remembering her story. It means committing ourselves to justice, mercy, and solidarity with those who are still trapped in cycles of exploitation. Whether through advocacy, education, prayer, or direct service, each of us can play a role in ending trafficking and supporting survivors.

Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of those who have been trafficked, pray for us—and especially for all who are still waiting to be free.

Room 21 A Film on Human Trafficking
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Faith, Feminine Strength, and Financial Independence

“Things happen in life. They happen to planners. To non-planners. They happen to the so-called good and righteous among us. They happen to the not-so good ones too. If you live long enough, something is going to happen to you. Your reputation may be on trial, your finances at stake, and your soul in a constant state of unrest. But, if you believe and continue forward—a rainbow exists on the other side.”–La Luz

Last year I went through a difficult season that I barely had the space to face. I faced it, yes — but imagine praying for visibility, receiving it, and then feeling the weight of how much it changes everything. I’ve always been private about my relationships, so when someone emailed me saying, “Remember to protect your why or someone might take it,” it struck me deeply. That message arrived right as my marriage was ending. It’s ironic how we met and married at lightning speed, yet the “conscious uncoupling” has been a slow drip.

It’s difficult to stay sad when you’ve endured being unprotected for far too long. It’s difficult to remain bitter when violation becomes the very fire that forges your strength. Some lessons don’t come gently—but they do come with purpose. And if there’s a silver lining, it’s this: the experience sharpened me. It taught me how to parent forward, wiser and stronger, with resolve.

I bring this forward because it sparked one of the most important realizations of my life: as mothers, it is essential that we remain actively present in our children’s lives and intentional about sustaining our income. There is no one-size-fits-all path. Every woman’s circumstances are different. Some may need to outsource more, some less. I could have hired help—and maybe I will someday—but I value being hands-on whenever I can.

I love to work. And after immersing myself in lessons from thinkers like Tony Robbins, I began to see a sweet spot: a life where purpose, presence, and provision coexist.

I’m speaking especially to the woman who is traditional, who grew up in the church, who was taught modesty and discretion—and who sometimes feels embarrassed by conversations around money or power. Life still happens to modest women. Growth still happens to spiritual women. Who we were ten years ago is not always who we are becoming, and that evolution is sacred.

The Divine Feminine woman is designed to grow, to expand, to live in abundance. Her ideal partner is one who complements that growth. And if you have been obedient, prayerful, chaste—yet things didn’t unfold as you hoped—trust that it is still part of God’s design. But faith does not exclude wisdom. Within God’s design, it is prudent to be financially literate, fiscally conservative, and prepared.

I had to learn that “having a stash” means more than a few hundred dollars set aside. True security is built. The most beautiful woman, the most devoted partner, can also learn how to open a laptop and create something lasting. While we invest in our appearance and the things that fade with trends, we must also invest in understanding the system we live in. If you plan to live in America, learn American capitalism because it can quite literally save your life.

When your children want haircuts, stylish clothes, cultural experiences, or a magical trip to Disney World, it takes vision and planning. And you can do it.

I had a wonderful upbringing—perhaps too comfortable. Financial literacy wasn’t part of my education. But today, knowledge is everywhere, and as I move toward an AI-inclusive lifestyle, I intend to share what I learn along the way.

I want your children to have a solid, beautiful life. I want you to be present for it, not constantly away from home trying to make it happen.

Finding Hope in Faith and Tradition

One day a video crossed my feed — a Catholic priest teaching on divorce — and it was something every traditional woman should see. It reminded me that righteousness still has a future, and that hope is not lost.

Letting Go of Old Strongholds

The truth is, I wasn’t just living under the stronghold of a person — I was living under the stronghold of an idea that may never have been real. In life you have to pick a side for yourself. If it’s a good side, others will follow.

A Lesson From My Daughter

A little boy once told my daughter that he would marry her when they grew up. She carried those words close to her heart, feeling seen, beautiful, and chosen. I told her that if she truly meets her person that early in life, it would be a rare and precious gift—because most people don’t find their person so young, if at all.

She often talks about growing up and becoming a mother one day. She also loves science, building, and fashion—all beautiful interests that deserve encouragement. My role is simply to guide her: to nurture her heart, honor her curiosity, and quietly teach her to set her investments aside while becoming the most loving, capable woman she can be.

I remember a time when my parents faced a financial challenge. My mother produced the money to fix it—an amount so substantial it left me stunned. I remember thinking, I thought you said you didn’t have any money. But my mother, like my grandmothers before her, was wise. They were humble, simple women who worked tirelessly, lived modestly, and bought things in cash. They carried strength quietly. These are the lessons I want passed from mother to daughter, and to our sons as well.

Why Financial Responsibility Matters for Women and Single Mothers

The women who approach me at events, in public, after I speak, are often young and beautiful, yet rarely encouraged to develop their minds. Many were raised to believe their purpose begins and ends with a man. What they really need to learn is how to cultivate their relationship with God in the purest and most intimate way possible. I wish the advice was different, but I was married for a very long time, this is what I know. You never know what you will be hit with in your union. For example, an illness, death, or having to car for a family member unexpectedly. Money can buy back some of the time you lose and that is the most valuable thing. Time is priceless and finite.

For women — especially single mothers — fiscal responsibility is not just practical. It is protective. It is dignity. It is safety. It is the foundation that keeps you from being trapped in situations that diminish you. That is why I am all over this Genius Act.

I am moving into a digital space because it allows me to show up for my babies and pushes me closer to my dreams and goals. I believe that decentralized finance can be a great equalizer for many of us. I have heard the case for community banks and lending, and my thought is that it is good to have choices. Choices are always good because not everyone can handle the responsibility of having great risk, while others thrive in it. I think having choice and structure are good options. Whatever allows you to thrive.

When you understand money, you understand choice. You understand boundaries. You understand power.

Life Begins Again

Today, I feel like my life is just beginning. I have not only my voice but the courage to use it. It has nothing to do with money, because when people adore you, they adore you with or without it. They want to build with you and bond with you because of YOU. I have seen people come up together. I have seen power couples get it and lose it together. I think those couples are bonded by something stronger than a paycheck. It has to be a divine union, and life has to have a divine purpose in order to reap the benefits that living a faith filled life brings. I am speaking of one that flows, is understanding, abundant, and is rooted in peace. Please check out the video I attached at the top. It will give you some solace on your new beginning. Also, I just feel a tiny feeling that these next few years are going to be epic. But I had to fill in some gaps on why the conversation shifted so that I could get into the storytelling. And I hope the stories are good.

Lastly, sometimes we have a stop off or layover to our greatest story in life. Live in the moment because it tends to change.

Stay in the light. Peace Be With You.

Tax Season is here and there are many good things are occurring with your refund. Time to gather your documents and file early.

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Healing Through Art: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

Image by the author Chiara Luz via Generative AI

Sometimes there is a heaviness that we feel in our lives. It may be there for various reasons. It can get difficult to manage in the cold months and when the weather is grey. I was talking to a family member about the healing power of art today and what makes it so powerful. Art doesn’t ask you to talk. It doesn’t judge and when you are in the process of creation—you are free.

I’ve moved into the realm of spiritual art, and as fascinating as it is, it can also feel heavy. Its purpose is healing, yet I realize now that I needed more healing myself before diving into this journey. I’m in a better place these days, more grounded, and more prepared to receive the remarkable gift of communion with the other side.

When I feature saints here on Chiara Atoyebi Media, it’s intentional. Through every challenge and hardship in my life, a saint has walked with me. Even my daughter Calais — whom I imagine praying for me day and night — brings me a deep sense of calm. I share with my readers the same things I lean on in my own life. I may not be as direct as many people, but this is my story. I mention my other site, my life’s work, and my nonprofit because they are part of that story. The House of Maryam is something I had to grow into, and I suspect I’ll always be reaching for the wisdom and compassion I hope it reflects.

In my daily life, people don’t often associate me with struggle, but I have my challenges. Parenting, especially, stretches every part of my soul — particularly when guiding children through a new family dynamic. I think I handle it well, yet when I talk about opportunity, housing, stability, education, creativity, all of it matters. This is life. We only get one, and it should be beautiful.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that the beauty I’ve poured into others becomes medicine when I finally give it to myself. That realization felt like a holy ordinance. I never imagined I could offer that kind of love to myself or that joy could be something I truly experienced. For the first time in my life, I listen to love songs. The first was “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder, then “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, and the list keeps growing. I spent a lifetime listening to breakup music. If I have any advice, it’s this: you are what you listen to. If you fill your ears with fighting and making up, you’ll live in that cycle.

In the months ahead, my goal — along with the other writers on this site — is to offer simple, useful information that helps you build a beautiful life right where you are. I believe that when we’re faithful in small things and truly grateful, we rise. I already feel lighter and more elevated simply by having this space to communicate and share with you.

This month is National Hobby Month, and it’s the perfect time to reconnect with something you love. What’s life without a little joy that belongs only to you? If you have a hobby you adore, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always open to trying something new. Who knows — I may even join you from afar