On March 8, we mark International Women’s Day. On this occasion, we wanted to share with you the journey of Geraldine Vytilingam, an inspiring young woman who the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) have known now for some years. Geraldine was the inaugural recipient of the 2023-2024 Fr John Wallis Memorial Scholarship (awarded in 2022) which she used to pursue a Masters of Theological Studies through Catholic Theological College, in Melbourne. Since then, we’ve kept in touch with Geraldine, and have maintained an ongoing and flourishing relationship with her. Last year, Geraldine completed her studies and graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Theology, and she’s set to graduate later this month with a Master of Theological Studies. We’re sure you’ll enjoy Geraldine’s story of faith, service and hope, as much as we do!

Geraldine Vytilingam at her graduation in 2024 for her Graduate Diploma of Theology.

From a young age, Geraldine Vytilingam’s life has been steeped in faith. Growing up in the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne in an Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil family, faith was not merely a personal belief—it was the foundation of everything they did. Her parents were deeply involved in church life, active in prayer and service groups, and instilled in her a strong sense of community. ‘We need to contribute to a faith community, and the broader community,’ she recalls being taught, a lesson that would shape her journey in the years to come.

Geraldine attended St Mary MacKillop Primary School in Keilor Downs, where she first discovered her love for music ministry. Singing in choirs at sacramental events such as First Communions and Confirmations provided her with a deep sense of joy and connection. Encouraged by supportive staff, in Year 6, she was elected school captain. ‘I really enjoyed that experience of working alongside staff and being a faith leader in that capacity as a student was something I really valued,’ she shares.

During her secondary years at Catholic Regional College (CRC) North Keilor, she found a nurturing faith environment. Inspired by youth ministers and passionate Catholic teachers, she attended events such as the Ignite Conference and One Spirit, strengthening her belief that she was not alone in her faith journey. Music continued to be a powerful tool for connection, leading her to help form a ministry band, exposing her to ‘amazing people and mentors’ like musician Gen Bryant. One of her proudest moments was organising a youth rally in Year 10, bringing together local young Catholics. ‘Looking back, what a crazy, amazing thing to do at 15 or 16! But our teachers really believed in us,’ she reflects.

A defining experience came in Year 11 when she attended World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. Supported by her school, she travelled with a group of students, forming friendships that endure to this day. ‘That really gave me a fire in my belly to share and to lead,’ she says. This led her to become Liturgy Captain in Year 12 at Catholic Regional College Sydenham, a role she embraced wholeheartedly.

‘The trust my teachers placed in me, in hindsight, set me up to eventually lead in Catholic schools one day as a staff member.’

Rather than jumping straight into university, Geraldine took a different path—two gap years serving as a youth minister in North Rockhampton and Bundaberg, Central Queensland. ‘My parents thought I’d never go to uni if I took a gap year or two,’ she laughs. But the experience proved invaluable. Working across two parish communities, she learned teamwork, ministry delivery, and community collaboration. ‘It really taught me the importance of investing in family partnerships and community engagement,’ she says.

Returning to Melbourne, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne, initially planning to major in anthropology and politics. Despite initial doubts from others about anthropology’s relevance to her faith, she found it deeply enriching. ‘I felt like the way we approached each culture, and religion was so respectful and analytical,’ she explains. She graduated with a major in anthropology and creative writing, fields that have always been close to her heart.

Geraldine dreamed of moving to London for a master’s degree in social anthropology and religion, but when those plans fell through, she felt lost. ‘I wasn’t sure what to do with my life, but I didn’t feel called to stay in Melbourne.’ Instead, she was offered a role as Faith in Action Leader at St Mary MacKillop College in Swan Hill, working at the border of New South Wales and Victoria. ‘It was a time of growth, and I look back on it as an important stepping stone in my journey,’ she says.

Geraldine’s Introduction to the Missionary Sisters of Service

While searching for further academic opportunities to undertake during her time of work, Geraldine came across the Fr John Wallis Scholarship offered by the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) on the University of Divinity website. During her research, she was drawn to the scholarship due to the history and charism of the MSS and the story of the community’s founder, Fr John Wallis.

She explains, ‘I found that Fr John’s story and my story crossed over in some special ways. For example, Fr John’s mission started when he was 23 and I was 23 at the time I applied. Fr John and the MSS had ministered in areas of regional Australia—the MSS were in Bundaberg, and I had lived in Bundaberg. Fr John had a deep appreciation for Vatican II and as someone involved in music ministry, I was very much a proponent for Vatican II, so I found that my values aligned with what the MSS stood for.’

When Geraldine read the email indicating she’d receiving the scholarship, she was overcome with emotion. ‘I dropped to the floor of the school car park and just welled up with tears,’ she says. ‘I reckon God was smiling at me, saying, “If only you knew in August what I would do in November, you’d be in awe”.’

This scholarship reaffirmed her vocation in academia and faith. She says, ‘That scholarship gave me a huge sense of purpose and direction. And it really affirmed in me that academia was my vocation. It is my vocation.’ Geraldine expressed deep gratitude for the MSS Stewardship Council for their encouragement and endless support.

‘The MSS have believed in me even when I haven’t believed in myself,’ she says gratefully. ‘They’ve invested in me emotionally and personally, not just financially. That’s been one of the biggest blessings of my life.’

Thanks to the scholarship, Geraldine completed a Graduate Diploma of Theology in 2023 and is set to graduate with a Master of Theological Studies in March 2025. ‘It’s all thanks to the MSS and the fruits of the Fr John Wallis scholarship.’

Geraldine with her parents at her graduation in 2024 for her Graduate Diploma of Theology.

Current Work and Finding Joy in Ministry

This year, Geraldine began a new role at Xavier College in Kew as Reconciliation Leader and Youth Minister. She works in the Faith and Service Team, which focuses on spirituality and social justice. She supports student leadership, music ministry, and Indigenous education initiatives, including organising immersions to the Kimberley and Cape York. When reflecting on her roles at Xavier, she says, ‘I go to bed grateful each night and wake up super excited for work in the morning. It’s such a joy and a treasure to have this experience of working with young men. It’s incredible. You see them step up and you really do see them live out their Ignatian charism.’

Added to the joy, Geraldine says she finds much hope in being surrounded by, and working with young men and women, who ‘are ambitious and driven, and want to see change in this world’. Working within a Jesuit school, together with Pope Francis’ call to be pilgrims of hope in this time, reinforces her awareness that ‘God is with us, always’.

Hope is deeply tied to her faith as she reflects on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. She says, ‘Often, we don’t realise that God is walking with us. But in moments of stillness and gathering, we recognise that God is among us.’ And despite the world’s many challenges, she believes hope is an active choice. ‘Hope is solace, peace, and light. Even when we don’t see the way ahead, choosing hope allows us to keep walking.’

In walking forward, Geraldine encourages all to ‘Lean into your niche. Embrace the unique contribution you have to offer. Even if the journey is uncertain, know that God has a plan filled with hope. Give things a go—you never know how it might shape you.’

Photos courtesy Geraldine Vytilingam unless otherwise noted.

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  Prof. Gabrielle McMullen (MSS Stewardship Council), Stancea Vichie MSS, Geraldine and Bernadette Wallis MSS, when Geraldine was announced as the inaugural scholarship recipient.

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  Geraldine and her parents at her graduation in 2024 for her Graduate Diploma of Theology.

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  Geraldine celebrates her graduation in 2024 for her Graduate Diploma of Theology.

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  Stancea Vichie MSS and Geraldine at the Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution conference. Photo courtesy Chris Kapa, University of Divinity, School of Indigenous Studies.

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  Geraldine and Pat Brain MSS at the MSS' Christmas gathering, 2024. (Photo courtesy Fiona Basile).

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  Geraldine (middle), Jane Collopy (left) and Bernadette Wallis MSS (right) at the MSS' Christmas gathering, 2024. (Photo courtesy Fiona Basile).