Audio episode•
We explore the quiet genius and hidden strength of two remarkable women: Hollywood star and inventor Hedy Lamarr, and Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur, a spiritual powerhouse whose interior life inspired a dramatic conversion. Host Maria Morera Johnson unpacks how these women, though worlds apart, each lived out a beautiful second act marked by perseverance, faith, and unseen impact. Their stories remind us that God often does His most powerful work behind the scenes.
One of the perks of women’s ministry is the obvious: fellowship with women! This past weekend I had the pleasure of leading a parish retreat on Saints and Second Acts at the conclusion of a book study on My Badass Book of Saints as a seque into a book club about A Beautiful Second Act. What an honor for me to be able to share in this way!
Picture this: a room full of Catholic women, cups of coffee in hand, laughing together as connections were made or remade. What better way to bridge these two books than a retreat—a sacred pause to celebrate bold faith and step into our own renewed purpose in whatever new act is coming?
The day kicked off with a 45-minute talk about befriending the saints, and seeking them in our daily lives. It was a light talk punctuated by stories of my favorite saints, especially Sister Blandina Segale, who was inspiration for the Badass book, and the astonishing and frightening St. Olga of Kyiv, whose appallingly violent first act was followed by a profound conversion to the Christianity is told in A Beautiful Second Act.
Next came the heart of the retreat—a small group activity to reflect on our faith journey. We settled into our groups by table, armed with markers and paper. First, each woman jotted down a “badass” moment from her past—maybe standing up for her faith or powering through a tough season—and a current challenge that might be the start of something new. Then, we shared and created group “maps”—timelines, pictures, or lists weaving our stories together.
The morning wrapped up with a second talk that examined our feminine genius and how, as women, we are deeply connected to the Blessed Mother. Notes from scripture and the Catechism emphasized the changing seasons in our lives and the opportunity for renewal and second chances. Ecclesiastes 3:1—”There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”—underscores that God ordains different phases, each with its own purpose.
In a cozy church hall, surrounded by saint statues and sisterhood, we bridged two books and countless stories. We talked about our bold roots and beautiful next steps—perfect for badass Catholic women like us. Ready for your second act?
A Tangible Reminder of God’s Love
You know those moments when God just shows up? Not in a flashy, part-the-seas kind of way, but in the quiet, unexpected, deeply personal ways that remind you He’s got you?
We had one of those moments recently when my husband was in the emergency room. (He’s fine now, thank God—but that’s a story for another day.) While we were in the hospital, a kind nurse came in to check on us, and I happened to notice she was wearing a Tau cross. Now, if you know, you know.
“Hey,” I said, pointing at the little wooden cross, “are you a Franciscan?”
Her face lit up. “You know what this means?”
And just like that, a little spark of faith turned into something much bigger. She immediately went off to find the hospital chaplain so my husband could receive Holy Communion. Enter Fr. Jim—equal parts pastoral and hilarious. He came in, joked with us, prayed with us, and then handed my husband something truly special: a hand-carved wooden cross.
It turns out, a veteran makes these crosses from “found” wood—because, as the Vet explains, we all need to be found. Each cross has a tiny red dot on it, a reminder of the blood Christ shed for us. Simple. Beautiful. Powerful.
I thought that was the end of it—just a sweet, grace-filled moment. But since that hospital stay, every follow-up appointment in the VA system has revealed something remarkable. Again and again, we’ve encountered that little cross. Nurses have them. Techs have them. And every time we see one, it’s like a joyful little nudge from God saying, I’m still here. I’ve got you.
Isn’t that just like Him? Showing up in the small, ordinary, and completely unexpected ways to remind us we are never alone?
God is good. And sometimes, He leaves little reminders in our path—just when we need them most.
