Zach Izzo

Zach Izzo

PhD Candidate, Mathematics

“Learning to find God in my work has been especially important to me, and has helped me to deal with the academic rigor of Stanford.”

CC@S has been incredibly important to me during my time as a PhD student. My first contact within the community was Fr. Xavier, and talking with him encouraged me to start taking a more active approach to my faith. I later began spiritual direction with Fr. Bob, SJ, which eventually led me to joining a men's small prayer group with other members of CC@S. All of these people have helped me grow both personally and in faith in ways that I never could have imagined when I first started.

In spite of my initial fears and hesitation to explore more, I have come to see how much richer my life is when I allow God to exist throughout it, rather than trying to confine him to an hour of my time on Sundays. Spiritual direction and my small prayer group have been a source of comfort, hope, and strength, especially during the COVID pandemic. Most importantly, I have come to know more fully God's love for me and for all his wondrous creation. I am truly grateful for the way that CC@S has allowed God to be at work in my life, and for bringing me closer to him.