Combatting a Deficit of Hope and Leaning Into Resiliency

Leaving Palm Sunday Mass in April 2016, a headline appeared on Monique Trusclair Maddox’s phone. The New York Times notification showed an article, written by Rachel L. Swarns, titled “272 Slaves Were Sold to Save Georgetown. What Does It Owe Their Descendants?” The byline read: “In 1838, the Jesuit priests who ran the country’s top Catholic university needed money to keep it alive. Now comes the task of making amends.” The discovery of this betrayal of her Church and the Jesuits shook her to her core. In this session, Maddox shares what the discovery process has looked like for her and how her healing has, at times, taken her to the Blessed Sacrament. She offers a path to healing and learning how to combat a deficit of hope to heal the sins of the past. 

This resource is part of the 2025 Virtual Teach-In package. View all of the related keynotes, breakouts, prayers, and discussion guides on the Virtual IFTJ page.

Virtual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
Wondering how to discuss many of the pressing issues of time in a faith and justice-based way? Starting February 21, access 5 days of on-demand faith+justice programming opportunities for high school students!