GIVEN forum equips young women to pursue their unique callings

Women react at a GIVEN forum in this undated photo. Organizers say the upcoming GIVEN Forum, set for June 8-12 in Washington, is designed to help young adult Catholic women "with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership" identify their particular gifts and find practical pathways "to put them in the service of the Gospel." (OSV News photo/courtesy of The GIVEN Institute)

(OSV News) — Young Catholic women face a lot of pressure today as they try to discern their vocations in life amid a secularized and polarized culture.

One group, originally founded by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious in 2018 after a successful 2016 event, is helping women find affirmation and guidance through a unique mentorship program that encourages them to discover and embrace their God-given gifts.

The GIVEN Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program​

Over 300 Catholic women from all walks of life will gather in Washington from June 8 to 12 to participate in the GIVEN Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program and the Catholic Women’s Leadership Forum. It will be the fifth GIVEN forumsince the group’s founding; the previous forums were held in 2019, 2020 (online), 2021 and 2022.


“Our mission is to help activate the gifts of young Catholic women for the church and the world,” GIVEN Executive Director Michelle Hillaert told OSV News just ahead of the gathering. “We do that by leadership development, faith formation, one-on-one mentoring with our art of accompaniment mentoring year.”

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