Birthing New Projects in 2025: A Reflection for Catholic Women Entrepreneurs
“The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
For Catholic women entrepreneurs, the Christmas season offered a profound invitation to reflect on the mystery of Mary's role in bringing forth the Savior of the world. Her journey provides a blueprint for birthing something extraordinary—a new project, vision, or mission—through faith, creativity, and perseverance. Here’s how you can draw inspiration from Mary as you prepare to birth new projects in 2025.
1. Be Receptive: Embrace the Call
Just as Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), entrepreneurs must first be open to receiving divine inspiration. Being receptive means quieting external noise, praying for clarity, and discerning God’s will for your business and personal life.
Action Items:
Dedicate 15 minutes daily to prayer and meditation, asking God to reveal His plans for your work.
Keep a journal of inspirations, dreams, and ideas that resonate with your heart.
Seek spiritual direction or mentorship to align your vision with God’s purpose.
2. Be Creative: Collaborate With the Creator
Mary’s fiat allowed her to collaborate with God in the ultimate act of creation. Similarly, your new project is a co-creation with God, combining His inspiration with your talents and resources.
Action Items:
Brainstorm with trusted peers or mentors to refine your ideas.
Write a detailed project vision that reflects your faith values and entrepreneurial goals.
Explore ways to infuse your Catholic faith into the project’s mission and branding.
3. Be Reflective: Ponder in Your Heart
Like Mary, who “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2:19), take time to reflect on the deeper meaning and purpose of your work. Reflection helps you stay aligned with your values and discern the next steps.
Action Items:
Schedule weekly reflection sessions to assess progress and challenges.
Identify scripture verses or Church teachings that inspire your project, and meditate on them.
Consider how your project serves others and contributes to the common good.
4. Persevere: Overcome Challenges With Grace
Mary’s journey to Bethlehem and Jesus’ birth in a humble stable remind us of the need for perseverance in the face of obstacles. As you birth your project, challenges will arise, but grace and determination will carry you through.
Action Items:
Develop a roadmap with milestones and contingency plans for potential setbacks.
Cultivate a support network of like-minded Catholic women entrepreneurs.
Offer up your struggles to God through prayer, asking for strength and resilience.
5. Be Inspired: Follow the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, guiding her at every step. Your project will flourish when you remain open to divine inspiration, allowing God to work through you in ways you cannot foresee.
Action Items:
Begin each workday by invoking the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.
Identify a patron saint for your project, and ask for his or her intercession.
Celebrate small wins with gratitude, and give glory to God for your progress.
As you embark on birthing new projects in 2025, let Mary’s example illuminate your path. Receptivity, creativity, reflection, perseverance, and divine inspiration will help you not only bring your vision to life but also transform it into a gift that serves others and glorifies God.
May your entrepreneurial journey be blessed with the same joy, peace, and grace that marked the first Christmas. Merry Christmas and a fruitful 2025!
Dr. Glory Enyinnaya is a management consultant who worked at Accenture before founding the consulting firm Kleos Advisory. Her research, which focuses on the role of entrepreneurs as change agents, has been published in top-tier publications such as the Harvard Business Review. She is a member of the faculty of Pan-Atlantic University in Nigeria. Her hobbies include blogging at www.gloryenyinnaya.com.
Her journey as a Catholic began with her conversion in 2009 (providentially, it was the Year of St. Paul—arguably Christianity’s most famous convert). Even though she entered the church under St. Paul’s patronage, it’s Our Lady who has had the strongest influence on Glory, beginning with her choice of "Mary"’ as her baptismal name. Today, Glory is consecrated to Mary according to the de Montfort Way and serves as an official of the Legion of Mary in the Archdiocese of Lagos. She is a cooperator of Opus Dei and an Associate of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.