We often mistake the pontifical universities for educational institutions exclusive to priests and nuns. However, the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and above all the School of Social Institutional Communications, prioritizes the formation and education of professionals who will go on to pursue careers in the communications field. What is unique about the program is that its formation not only prepares students for work in the ecclesial field, but also in academics and cultural institutions, whether that be working for a radio station or a news program, or even the government or a scientific institution.

Adrienne O’Brien, who, after graduating from the School of Social Institutional Communications at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in 2008, was the communications manager for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center—NASA’s research lab boasting the largest collective of scientists and engineers in the U.S. dedicated to expanding our knowledge about Earth, the solar system, and the universe. This center has been instrumental in developing and operating unmanned scientific satellites and directing the scientific research, space development and operations, and many of NASA’s missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Explorers Program, the Discovery Program, and many others.



Adrienne, you were born in 1983 in Wilmington, Delaware and were brought up in a Catholic household. How did you go from having a seemingly ordinary life on the East Coast to finding your professional and spiritual vocation while studying in Rome?

My childhood was that of a stereotypical Catholic family, though I was homeschooled in the early ‘90s before it became common. Our shared faith was incredibly important to us. So much so, in fact, that growing up I thought I would become a nun one day. But as time went on, I began to daydream more and more about what it would be like to have a family. This then triggered some anxiety in my spiritual life. Was I withholding my “best” and my “all” from God if I didn’t enter a religious order? It took spiritual maturity and a deep comprehension of the definition of “vocation” to have clarity about what God wanted me to do with my life.


When did you understand more clearly that you were called to such an important mission—to be a wife, a mother, and a communications professional?

After years of indecisiveness over my vocation—and unfortunately some avoidance of God because of it—I finally reached a place of peace in St. Peter’s Basilica, of all places. I was in Rome for a semester of study abroad, and I’d just finished touring the basilica’s underground excavations. I couldn't stop thinking about how I'd just seen the real burial place of St. Peter, a man who had walked with Christ, talked with Christ, and literally hugged the body of God on Earth. Here, I thought, was someone who understood the true meaning of “vocation.” He said “yes” to God over and over again, even when the path was obscure and even after he had failed.
Meanwhile, after college, I spent two years doing administrative work for a couple of non-profit political organizations in Washington, D.C. Endless hours making photocopies and booking coworkers’ flights slowly stifled my creativity. Professionally, I had always wanted to be a writer and communicator, but such a career path was a dead-end for my dream. For a while, I considered pursuing a master’s in English literature, but I didn't want to immerse myself in, what felt like, abstract academic musings. I wanted to do more practical work that would have an immediate impact on society. That’s what brought me to study at the Santa Croce in Rome.


Why did the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (“Santa Croce”) draw your attention?

Well, for one, its School of Communications, and second, it’s in Rome! At the beginning, I was somewhat afraid of studying in another language, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my life.


So, it was worth it…

Of course!
The warmth and kindness of the Santa Croce professors immediately made me feel welcome, and I loved how the communications program was so hands-on. I was learning how to use a video camera, write commercial scripts, and edit audio files—I loved it all. The media training classes were my favorite because they challenged me to anticipate and explore arguments against the faith and build rational, relatable responses. Furthermore, the friendships I made there are irreplaceable. I will forever treasure the memories I made at the Santa Croce.


And let’s not forget about the chance you got to live in Rome!

Absolutely! When I look back, the thing I most appreciate about my time in Rome is that the city gave me the unwavering, immersive experience of being a Catholic in the heart of the Church. When you live in Rome long enough to see beneath its surface, you get an intimate glimpse at some of the most lovely, awe-inspiring aspects of the faith. You also have the opportunity to explore human frailty and face the reality of sin in this world.
I wondered, then, and still do today: What can I do, on a personal level, to be a stronger, holier member of the Body of Christ and bring healing to the church and the world? I believe that the Santa Croce gave me the tools I need, personally and professionally, to find my path and clarify how I might make a positive impact on others.


You worked for NASA and other important institutions: Was it difficult for you either as a woman and/or as a believer?

I used to joke that when I got bored during NASA meetings, I would start to analyze the ratio of men to women in the room… and it was basically what you’d expect! But even with so few female coworkers, I always felt incredibly respected and appreciated by my team. At first, I was quite intimidated, as I was working with the men and women who had managed the missions to upgrade and repair the Hubble Space Telescope. When I started, they had just begun developing technology that would enable in-orbit robotic satellite refueling and repair. What in the world could I offer these geniuses? After all, I was able to contribute in my own unique way to the center.
During my seven years at NASA, I created and executed communication campaigns for robotic experiments that were flown to and tested on the International Space Station; built and maintained the team’s website from scratch; led media training sessions for televised and written interviews; conceptualized and managed educational video productions; gave tours of our robotic facility to politicians and scientists; and acted as a strategic advisor for public relations to my team’s top leadership. Two specific lessons from Santa Croce have always stayed with me: 1) Gain the trust of and build strong relationships with your team’s executives if you want to be an effective, accurate communicator, and 2) Always, always keep your audience in mind.


…and how did being Catholic help you?

Throughout my entire career, I drew from my identity as a Catholic woman. Kindness and consideration for others’ time and unique talents, respect for others, striving for excellence in the workplace, and always working for the good of my team: These are all the trademarks of being a Catholic worker, and these traits enabled me to succeed and thrive in my career.


What a task! And what I find in your human and professional story is this very positive vision of what a Christian can do when he embraces his faith in all aspects of his ordinary existence: Work, friendship, marriage... This has always been the message of saints like Francisco de Sales and Josemaría Escrivá. They urge us to be true to our Christian faith in a world that is increasingly secularized.

This may be an unusual perspective, but I don’t see the western and secularized world as necessarily the greatest roadblock to evangelizing youth. I believe that when preached with honesty, understanding, and conviction, Christ’s message remains fresh and compelling to youth—a demographic hungry for purpose and answers to life’s greatest questions, especially with all the temptations and vices that modern society throws at it.


Nowadays, in the evermore connected world, there is so much talk about the role women play in evangelization, in the Church itself, and in the professional sphere... In your opinion, is there a specific role women should play in society?

Each of us, in our day-to-day interactions with others, is called to share our faith in that little corner of the world. Women, with their unique—if not exclusive—capacity to foster interpersonal relationships and build community, have a pivotal role to play in this, but we all need support. We need strategic, engaging, grassroots, outreach campaigns, supported by our bishops and leaders, to engage and catechize both the faithful and those on the fringes of society.


I know that the most important thing in your life is your family. It’s so important to raise children in a loving family, as it can make the present and future world a happier place with responsible, caring citizens.

We have three children, and my husband and I often feel like we’re in survival mode! Personally though, in each interaction with my children, I try to remember that I’m more than just “mom” to them. I’m their first and primary experience of God’s love, understanding, and forgiveness—or, conversely, I can set myself up to be a model of how a beloved authority figure can harshly judge them, chastise them, break their spirit, and betray their trust. With that in mind, it becomes a little easier to be patient, understanding, and kind to these little ones. I try to trust that God will give me the wisdom and words I need to shepherd them through life and hopefully up to heaven.


Thank you so much, Adrienne. We are truly very proud, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and at the Formation Foundation, the American foundation that supports our work, that a brilliant American woman with so many facets to her life has been able to "launch" herself from our platform into such a successful, full life!
It’s wonderful to celebrate testimonies like yours, which bring our university and communications faculty great pride!
The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, as well as the School of Social Institutional Communications and the other schools, would not be able to carry out their activities without the contribution of all the friends and benefactors of foundations like the Formation Foundation. In addition to the more than 400 partial and full annual scholarships for priests, seminarians, and religious, the university offers lay people the chance to reduce their academic fees through research and work with the university itself. All this, together with professors’ salaries, the maintenance of the ancient palaces where the university is headquartered, and all the material, laboratories, and tools necessary for formation, is covered only partially by minimal academic fees. What's more: Without the help of benefactors around the world, none of this would be possible.

Interviewed by: Gerardo Ferrara