May 15, 2025

Women’s Jubilee Celebration features story of hope and conversion

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Kathleen Harrington

SPRINGFIELD- Lucy Lu, Ph.D. visited the Cathedral of Saint Michael on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima to deliver a message to women of faith. Her talk, based in part on a St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Women,” followed a Jubilee Mass for Women celebrated by Bishop William D. Byrne.

Lu’s journey to the Diocese of Springfield is unique. Born in Wuhan, China, Lu came to the United States to pursue a degree in economics. A professor at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., a small town southwest of Utica, introduced her to his Catholic faith. From her atheist upbringing in China, to entering the Catholic Church as a college sophomore, Lu has recently entered a consecrated life, professing temporary vows as a Crusader of Mary.

Close to 175 women turned out for the Mass and talk by Lu.

“As a consecrated lay person, I am always on my mission to spread God’s word,” Lu told her audience.

Since her conversion, her mother in China has become a Christian, entering the Protestant faith.

Lucy Lu, Ph. D., speaks with Bishop William D. Byrne before the Women’s Jubilee Celebration at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Tuesday, May 13.

“Growing up I didn’t know what my mission was. I felt restless,” she said. “God is with me. I don’t have an emptiness because God is always with me.”

The “feminine genius” she referenced in her talk comes from the“Letter to Women,” Pope John Pau l II wrote in 1995. In it he explained how women and men have different, but complementary roles in the Catholic Church. Both are equally necessary. He also pointed to the Blessed Mother, stating, “The Church sees in Mary the highest expression of the ‘feminine genius’ and she finds in her a source of constant inspiration.”

Bishop Byrne said Lu’s story speaks to the “feminine genius,” as she encouraged women by telling them “we are all called to be saints.”

 “It was so wonderful to see so many women from across the diocese come to this Jubilee Mass for Women,” said Bishop Byrne. “It shows you the sense of vibrancy that is growing here.”

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.