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I grew up with parents who loved and practiced Christian Science, and I experienced consistent and decisive healings as a kid and teen. After my daughter was born, and while still in the hospital, I was instantly healed of an extremely high and life-threatening fever, much to the amazement of the medical staff.  Even so, a few years later, while going through some really tough times, I stepped away from Christian Science. This wasn’t a bad thing, though, because it was during this time that I did some deep soul-searching and honest questioning which developed into more appreciation for God and what God is. That spiritual curiosity led to satisfying answers and continues to this day. More committed than ever to practicing spiritual healing, I started receiving calls from friends and family who were seeking healing.  I’ve worked in a variety of editorial positions for The Christian Science Publishing Society, which has only deepened my love for all that Mary Baker Eddy established and shared with the world. I began advertising in The Christian Science Journal as a Christian Science practitioner in 2017 and went through Normal class to become an authorized teacher of Christian Science in 2024.

I’d love to meet you and cherish your spiritual search! I’m Suzanne Riedel, C.S.B., and I live and teach in the Austin, Texas area. I am guessing we may have some experiences in common . M ine have been varied. My marriage, five children, graduate school, and teaching high school and middle school for 20 years all were proving grounds for what I was learning about God and the great Love we all have.

I have always had a love of healing in Christian Science. My first family stories were of how my grandfather’s immediate conviction of the Science of the Christ healed my uncles and aunts in their moments of great need.

I grew up in Malaga, Spain. My desire to serve others led me to join the Society of Jesus where I was an ordained priest.

Christian Science and community service were strong influences in my home growing up.  I found fulfilling ways to help disadvantaged people over the years, but in college I became convinced that the best way to accomplish lasting justice and peace was Jesus’ path of breaking through the illusion of evil and many minds to the perfection of God’s spiritual universe.  I wanted to devote myself to Christian Science healing, but wasn’t sure how to launch. My next step was to become a Christian Science nurse.

As a small child, I always felt at home in church. The more I learned about Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy, the more they became close friends, whose teachings showed me how God’s love and tender care heal and protect me, and others, from illness and danger. Growing up, I had powerful proof that Christian Science heals, and is reliable and transformative. These healings, including a diagnosed case of strep throat, inspired me to help others realize the healing power that comes from an understanding of God as infinite, divine Principle, Love.

Christian Science has always been most precious to me. I was raised in it, and I can honestly say there was never a time when I didn't think of myself as a Christian Scientist.

Roots. Christian Science has given me stability, peace and happiness throughout my life.

What do counseling at-risk youth, running an emergency shelter, working as a wilderness ranger, teaching, and coordinating community outreach programs all have in common? These were jobs that led to my being in the full-time practice of Christian Science! Even as a child, lessons from the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings had encouraged and shown me ways to help others.  Christian Science gave me a love for Christ Jesus; it also enabled me to follow him by showing how prayer transforms experience by transforming thought.  Whether confronting hostile situations, battling a forest fire, or facing physical challenges, prayer enabled me to get beyond the appearance of things to the spiritual truth that brought healing solutions. As God’s love became more real to me and the mental nature of experience became more apparent, so did opportunities to heal.

While growing up in California, my three siblings and I had many challenges but also many blessings. Our parents were dedicated church and community supporters and instilled in us the idea of living one's life in a way that would help the world. I had several meaningful healings in high school and college that cemented my desire to grow Spiritward through a study of the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings.