Father Joseph Writes That great Marian Father also clearly, consistently committed us to a spirit of continuous renewal and generous effort “for Christ and the Church.” On his deathbed, where he reiterated his conviction that self-sacrifice is the way most Christians carry their cross, Bl. George urged Marians: “Close up the ranks and sacrifice yourselves.” I am confident that Bl. George was there with us at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress this summer, a Congress that none of us — Marian Fathers or Marian Helpers — might have been at without Bl. George’s far-sighted decisions to establish the Marian Family in this country and to summon Bl. Michael Sopoćko, a priest of the diocese of Vilnius, home, thus putting him in the right place at the right time to become St. Faustina’s spiritual director. These choices set the stage for the work of the Marian Fathers in the U.S. as parish priests and preachers of missions, retreats, and conferences; leading promoters worldwide of the Divine Mercy message and devotion; and founders of an incredible multimedia apostolate promoting so many crucial Catholic teachings, devotions, and practices, including fervent love for and devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament. Yes, Bl. George was with us at the Congress, one of the most extraordinary, powerful gatherings in the history of the Catholic Church in America. The Congress was a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church. Jesus came to Indianapolis, and met us there, you see, coming in the hearts and hands of pilgrims from four corners of the United States, crossing the country in four enormous, long Eucharistic processions that covered thousands of miles before meeting in Indianapolis for the Congress. Catholic ministries and apostolates doing incredible, fruitful work were there, including the Association of Marian Helpers, Marian Press, and the Marian Fathers’ apostolates. The Congress was an extraordinary blessing. It’s one long in the making, prompted in large part by the U.S. bishops being alerted to a grave catechetical problem by a 2019 Pew research report that indicated only about a third of U.S. Catholics believed in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Please continue to work with me and the entire Marian Family in the vineyard of the Lord, helping pray and work for the true renewal of our own faith in the Eucharist, and the faith of our brethren, especially those lapsed Catholics or those who’ve rejected the faith. As we set out now on this final year of the National Eucharistic Revival, the “Year of Mission,” a year dedicated to the New Evangelization and to the old — to reminding faithful Catholics of the incredible gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, and to sharing that Good News with the world — I and my Marian brethren need your help. This is a job for the whole Marian Family, not just for the priests and brothers in the Congregation. Will you answer the call of the Church? Will you set to work for Christ and His Church in learning and living a deeper Eucharistic spirituality, and sharing it with your neighbors? I know you will. God bless you! THANKS, BL. GEORGE! “Father Joseph, MIC ,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, currently F.rMark Baron, MIC. Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org 3 There’s one Marian Father in particular who’s the reason my religious congregation is in the United States at all. A century ago, Bl. George Matulaitis (1871-1927), the Marian Renovator, took a look at the religious liberty in the United States, compared it to the impossible conditions nearly killing the Congregation under the Russian empire of his day, and decided to send some of his brethren to the U.S. to start up apostolic works and religious houses.
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