By: Connie Etemadi

Writing reflects the world and reshapes it. It offers clarity where there’s confusion and hope where there’s despair. Many authors like Lorel Wilhelm-Volpi view writing as a sacred calling, a way to give voice to the goodness that exists in everyday people and moments. As a wife, mother, marketer, and person of faith, she brings all these dimensions of her life into her work.

Wilhelm-Volpi has always loved writing as a child, encouraged by her older sister’s creative prompts. However, life pulled her in other directions. Her passion for writing was pushed to the background for years until she attended a formation program with her husband, who’s a deacon in their church. A question formed in her mind. “I thought, ‘Are there no modern women in these stories of faith?’” Wilhelm-Volpi says.

The curriculum was rich. However, it focused heavily on male perspectives. Wilhelm-Volpi then researched contemporary Catholic women who embodied courage, resilience, and faith. Her findings sparked inspiration and concern. “Their stories were powerful but scattered and underrepresented,” Wilhelm-Volpi shares. That spark birthed the idea for her first book.

After nearly two years of research, writing, and revising, Wilhelm-Volpi released Important Catholic Women of the 20th Century. The book highlights sixteen extraordinary women, including Mother Teresa, Thea Bowman, and Cory Aquino. These figures lived out their Catholic faith in personal and impactful ways, as mothers, social activists, educators, or political leaders.

Photo Courtesy: Lorel Wilhelm Volpi (Important Catholic Women of the 20th Century)

The author’s second book was more personal, stemming from experiences as a mother of three. An I Love You Book for People About to Take on the World is a heartfelt gift for young adults, especially those graduating from high school and stepping into adulthood. It communicates a parent’s love, offers reflections on life, and invites readers to remember their roots as they grow into their futures. Wilhelm-Volpi shares that she’s already working on a third book, continuing her mission to support families through the power of story and faith.

Photo Courtesy: Lorel Wilhelm Volpi (An I Love You Book for People About to Take on the World)

“In everything I write, my goal is for readers to realize there’s so much good in the world. We live in a time when it’s easy to miss that. So, I want to illuminate the human experience that connects us all. If you’ve got a pulse and a heart, chances are you want good things for the people you love, and that’s something worth focusing on,” Wilhelm-Volpi remarks.

Writing has always been therapy for the author. “It helps me get things out of my head and name them,” she says. “Sometimes, you just have a swirl of thoughts or feelings, and until you put them on paper, they’re hard to understand. Writing forces clarity.”

Besides personal clarity, Wilhelm-Volpi sees writing as a form of connection. Creating her books has led her to collaborate with artists, connect with readers globally, and build relationships with others passionate about uplifting stories.  This sense of connection and inclusivity also shapes the visual and narrative choices in Wilhelm-Volpi’s work. She intentionally reflects global diversity in her books as an immigrant and a wife to an Italian man.

Lorel Wilhelm-Volpi’s impact extends from the page to the stage. As a keynote speaker, she utilizes her platform to uplift others, especially women and parents. Whether through her books, blogs, or speaking engagements, she helps them navigate life with faith, grace, and resilience. Ultimately, in all she does, Wilhelm-Volpi proves that storytelling can be both a gentle balm and a bold force.