Biking For Babies- Monica Wendle '25

• Have you ever heard of an excited group of Christians cycling 600 miles over 6 days? 🚲 A 2025 Ave Maria graduate, Monica Wendle, is a Biking for Babies missionary this summer. https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026missionary/account/2329859/
• After reading an article about Biking for Babies in my favorite magazine, The Catholic Times, I knew I wanted to be a missionary. Initially, what captured my attention was not just the missionaries' impressive cycling of 600 miles in a week, but also the joy they experienced during their training and on the ride. This joy, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, surely comes when we see the inherent, God-given dignity in another and promote the culture of life. As I read about these individuals in the article, determined to fight the culture of death, grow closer to Jesus, and advocate for women facing unplanned pregnancies, I made a goal to join them. As Christians, we believe that we can support these women going through a spiritual crisis, not just financially, but also through our sufferings and prayers. St. Pope John Paul II insisted, “prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the greatest force in human history.” Therefore, I know my prayers and sacrifice in the mission can help the women, the elderly, my students, my family, you, myself, and all humans have a newfound love of the incredible gift of our own lives.
• Biking for Babies proclaims the dignity of human life by uniting cycling with the formation of young adults into missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. We achieve this by forming young adults in the Gospel of life, raising awareness, and fundraising for pregnancy resource centers. I am thankful to partner with our local Vitality Women's Clinic here in Godfrey, IL. If you like to help support me in our mission, please consider praying for us, sharing the mission, or donating below.

For Monica Wendle '25, graduation from Ave Maria University marks not an ending, but an exciting new beginning. This summer, the recent graduate is embarking on an extraordinary missionary journey as part of Biking for Babies, an organization that unites young Christians in a 600-mile, six-day cycling adventure dedicated to promoting the culture of life. What began as an inspiring article in The Catholic Times has blossomed into a calling that perfectly embodies the values Monica cultivated during her time at Ave Maria: faith in action, service to others, and unwavering commitment to life.

Monica's enthusiasm for this mission radiates from her description of what drew her to Biking for Babies. Beyond the impressive athletic feat of cycling 600 miles in a week, she was captivated by the profound joy radiating from the missionaries—a joy she recognizes as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. "This joy surely comes when we see the inherent, God-given dignity in another and promote the culture of life," she reflects. Determined to support women facing unplanned pregnancies during their spiritual crises, Monica understands that this support extends far beyond financial aid. Drawing on the wisdom of Saint Pope John Paul II, she believes that "prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the greatest force in human history," and she is committed to offering both throughout her mission.

Through Biking for Babies, young adults like Monica are being formed into missionary disciples of Jesus Christ while raising vital awareness and funds for local pregnancy resource centers. This summer, Monica is proud to partner with Vitality Women's Clinic in Godfrey, Illinois, an organization dedicated to serving women in her community. Her prayers, sacrifice, and dedication will contribute to a broader movement proclaiming the inherent dignity of all human life—from the unborn to the elderly—and nurturing a renewed love for the incredible gift of life itself.

If you would like to support Monica's mission, she welcomes your prayers, your sharing of her cause, or your financial contribution. Please visit the donation link to join her in this life-affirming work. We are proud to see our Ave Maria graduates living out their faith with such courage and compassion. https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026missionary/account/2329859/