“I thought I was a nobody. Then I realized I could be a change-maker.”
Zenaida Rafael Zacarías, a human trafficking survivor and church leader, shared these words at a gathering of Catholic women organized by Catholic Extension Society.
Even though she only had an elementary school education, she decided to attend the conference at the encouragement of religious sisters from her parish, San Juan Diego Mission in Southern California’s Coachella Valley. The sisters recognized her as a spirited and devoted Catholic woman with gifts and talents to share in their church, which is home to indigenous farm-working people from Mexico, like Rafael.
The sisters, seen below, encouraged her to participate in Catholic Extension Society’s Mujer Valiente (valiant woman) program, in which Rafael could discover her God-given potential in spite of living on the margins of society.
The program aims to deepen the evangelizing power of Latina women by offering education and networking opportunities.
People like Rafael are proof of the program’s impact.
During her life, Rafael has certainly been through hell and back, but she never lost hope, nor her faith in a loving God who delivers us from all evil.
A painful past
Rafael grew up on a ranch in Ocumicho in the rural state of Michoacán in Mexico. As a little girl she was raised to believe her value was minimal. She was pulled out of school against her wishes at age 8 and forced to serve as caretaker of her younger siblings and stepsiblings. Days were also filled with endless household chores for her and her siblings and long hours of work in the fields.
The little girl who loved school was just beginning to learn how to read and write. And the fact that she could no longer study crushed her spirits. Life continued this way for many years until she mustered the courage to break free.
At age 20 Rafael got married civilly and gave birth to her daughter, María. Brief happiness turned into a nightmare as she endured physical and emotional abuse, which led to the relationship’s end after one year. Sadly, her family did not support her decision to end her marriage.
With nowhere else to turn, Rafael came to the United States in search of a better life—but she was unable to bring her daughter. Pained by this, Rafael was determined to reunite with her child. She knew God’s grace would guide her through.
She said,
I overcame my situation and began seeking God to help me since He brought my daughter to life.”
Slavery to freedom
Rafael made the decision to go back to Mexico and reunite with her daughter. During that journey, she was kidnapped for two weeks, sexually assaulted, and held for ransom. She did not know if she would survive. But ultimately she escaped with her daughter and her freedom, and she made it back to the United States.
“I paid a very high price to have my daughter with me,” Rafael reflected.
Even throughout this horrific ordeal, she felt that God was always with her. He spoke to her in her dreams while in captivity. Rafael said the Holy Mother told her, “Here I am, I cover you with my mantle.”
Rafael describes how God and the Holy Mother renewed her strength to press forward.
Turning pain into purpose
Today, Rafael is happily married in the Church to a man named José who, like St. Joseph, she says is a good and just man who loves her and her daughter. She likened her story to the Biblical tale of Ruth, who was “rescued” by Boaz.
“José was sent by God, that’s how I see it,” she said.
Now she works in the fields picking crops in California and lives a peaceful life with her husband, daughter and two grandsons.
A few years ago, during Mass at Rafael’s home parish of San Juan Diego Mission, Sisters Felicitas Almanza and María Teresa Pacheco from the Missionary Guadalupanas of the Holy Spirit introduced themselves. They explained that they had come to minister to people like her, those working in the agricultural fields of Coachella Valley. Catholic Extension Society has supported the ministry of these sisters.
Like Rafael, the parishioners at San Juan Diego Mission are mostly Purépecha-speaking indigenous people. They are often discriminated against for their language and customs. However, the sisters walk with them in their struggles and dreams.
“We are no longer alone. We have our mothers here,” Rafael said, referring to the now-beloved religious women as her maternal figures. “Their arrival gave me immense joy and trust.”
Rafael had been involved in her parish’s planning of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations but never imagined doing anything more, given her elementary-level education. The sisters changed this. They opened her eyes to her own potential as a leader in the Church.
The sisters invited Rafael to join Mujer Valiente, a program initiated by Catholic Extension Society with the intention of supporting Latina parish leaders, who are in many communities the backbone of the Church but who seldom have opportunities to convene, connect and learn from one another.
Zenaida encouraged herself to say “yes” and began the program in 2023 by attending a conference at the University of Dallas that brought together Latina parish leaders from across the country. It was the first time Rafael had ever stepped foot on a college campus. Although it was a dream come true, she was also nervous.
There was a lot of learning, and it confirmed to me that I am a valiant woman. I shared on another level with so many women from other places. I felt proud that they accepted me.”
Zenaida also felt something change within her during the conference. She realized she was a “bridge” leader.
Becoming a valiant woman
Since the conference, Sister María Teresa has worked closely with Rafael to help her complete the program’s synchronous online coursework and training, which are administered through the University of Dayton as a follow-up to the conference.
Through these courses women leaders learn more about the Catholic faith, as well as practical leadership skills such as emotional intelligence and many other topics relevant to parish ministry.
This is no easy feat while still employed as a farmworker and active in her parish.
But she has grown in confidence.
Rafael is currently the coordinator of her parish’s marriage and family ministry. In this role, she helps women in her community who have a painful past like she does. More importantly, she wants to give witness to others that hope is possible when we stay close to God, who in her experience, can truly lead people to new life.
Rafael will earn a certificate from the program in February 2025. Long term, she aspires to focus on “youth, evangelization, unity in diversity, stewardship of resources and leadership within the faith community.”
The program has not only transformed her understanding of who she is, but it has also empowered her to encourage more women like her to live to their fullest potential. In her words, Rafael is “filling lives with hope.”
Rafael loves her church, she loves God, and she wants to share that love with others.
That is why she made the decision to share her life story with us, even the painful details, with the hope that it will inspire others.
She is thankful for God who has made her a valiant woman today.
The Mujer Valiente program is committed to uplifting the voices of marginalized women who are at the heart of the Church. Rafael is just one of 143 women who have gone through the program in the past three years.
Faith-filled women like her should offer the Church their experiences, perspectives and talents—which are essential for its future and vitality.
Currently, there is a waiting list of Catholic women from parishes across the country seeking to enter the program in 2025. As this program continues to grow, Rafael and her fellow participants will serve as a living testament to what it means to be a valiant woman of faith.
Catholic Extension Society’s training and leadership development opportunities are crucial to forming current and future Church leaders, and need your support. Please consider donating!
