Father Joseph Writes Marian Helper • Fall 2025 • Marian.org 3 It’s also no coincidence that the Association, a powerful tool of evangelization and catechesis leaving a historic mark on the Church and the world since the time of its founding, should be celebrating a 100th anniversary during the historic first year of the pontificate of the first American pope, a missionary from Chicago. You see, the first Marian Fathers to arrive in the United States came to Chicago from Lithuania! On July 9, 1913, Blessed George Matulaitis, the Marian Renovator, arrived in America with two other Marians, Frs. Felix Kudirka and Julian Kazakas, to establish the first Marian house of the renovated Congregation. Once in Chicago, Blessed George presented himself to the archbishop there, the Most Rev. Edward Quigley, who warmly welcomed the Marians to his archdiocese and even offered them a parish. Twelve years later, Bl. George sent a letter, urging the creation of an Association of lay faithful to assist the Marian Fathers in evangelization. The first Marian Helpers! None of this is coincidence. If you are part of the Marian Family for any length of time, you learn pretty quick that God takes a very direct hand in our life and work. All those things Jesus said to St. Faustina in the Diary about the Divine Mercy message and devotion being a preparation for His final coming? It’s all true. The Divine Mercy message and devotion are the greatest grassroots movement in the history of the Church. The role Our Lady, the Immaculate Conception, plays in the Church and the world in this and every age, defending us, helping us grow in faith and holiness, drawing us all closer to her Son? We don’t make that up. We don’t need to. Marian devotion changes lives just as powerfully today as it ever has, especially devotion to her Immaculate Heart alongside devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Holy Souls both need our prayers and, when they reach heavenly glory, offer powerful intercession to those who assisted them. Let me say that again, a little more colorfully: We Marians and Marian Helpers have a “tiger by the tail” in the work we do, because God is good, Jesus is Lord, and Our Lady is truly our mother now and forever. The charisms, or gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Marian Family, are powerful and active today in the world. They are the answer to the darkness of the present age, of our often difficult modern era. They are bright lights in deep darkness, powerful remedies for what ails our society today, and strong medicine to drive out the devil. So after more than 100 years of the Congregation in the USA, and now 100 years of the Association, we now stand better prepared, equipped, and manned than ever before. We are in a wonderful place to answer Heaven’s call because of you. Your persistent prayers and support have allowed us to take on new and challenging ministries and apostolates; begin building a new monastery on Eden Hill; send aid to Ukraine, Rwanda, the Philippines, and many other places in deep need; and do so much more. Once again, thank you. Once again, let us live out the remaining months of this Jubilee Year of Hope in great thanksgiving: for the holy members of our Marian Family past; for prayer and work for our present labors; and for tremendous and growing hope for the future. May Christ our Hope bless you! OUR CENTENNIAL! “Father Joseph, MIC,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, currently Fr. Mark Baron, MIC. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet live with Fr. Mark every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on Instagram, Facebook, and DivineMercyPlus.org. It’s no coincidence that the Jubilee Year of Hope should also be the centennial of the Association of Marian Helpers, founded 100 years ago by the Marian Fathers in Chicago, Illinois, in 1925 (see page 15). It’s Divine Providence.
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