Digital Marian Helper Magazine Spring 2021

30 M arian H elper • S pring 2021 • marian . org B efore Christopher Maffuccio of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was even born, doctors told his parents that he would never be able to walk or talk. “The doctor told my parents that I would be in a vegetative state,” Chris said. “They told them they should ‘terminate the specimen.’ That’s the phrase they used. But my mom, she was a convert from Lutheranism to Catholicism. She said that she would never do that. She said that whatever God sent her, she would accept.” Chris was born 10 weeks early, on Aug. 29, 1997, weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces. He was born with a condition called Spina Bifida, a birth defect that affects the spine. Despite the circumstances, Chris went on to prove doctors wrong. Sure, he wears leg braces and uses a walker — but he can walk. And not only can he speak intelligently, he’s earned an associate’s degree in hospitality, and he’s working on a bachelor’s degree. “After I got out of the hospital, my family took me to a Catholic church. They put me on the altar and with a few nuns said a lot of prayers over me, and here I am,” he said. Chris has the most severe form of Spina Bifida called “meningocele.” “[Doctors] can’t explain how I’m able to function as well as I do. If you held an MRI of my spine up to an MRI of another person with Spina Bifida who was completely debilitated, who couldn’t walk or talk, the images would look the same,” he said. “God has been so good to me. He’s never let me down.” Perhaps it was the faith of his parents, or perhaps it’s because he’s living proof that “miracles” can happen, Chris fell in love with his Catholic faith from an early age. “Even as a child, I wanted to be a Catholic priest some- day,” he said. “I’m facing some challenges and barriers because of my disability. But I’m not giving up, because I’ve overcome lots of challenges,” he said. One of the big- ger challenges he faces is not being able to drive. “But one day, I hope to learn,” he said. Chris’ trust in God and his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary keep him going through the tough times. “There have been lots of times when I’ve been discouraged. There have been really dark times, but I keep pushing forward. What- ever trials or temptations come my way, I will always have recourse to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Even though sometimes I get discour- aged, I am always devoted to her. Like St. Louis de Montfort said, ‘To Jesus through Mary.’” The stories of some of Chris’ favorite saints inspire him to perse- vere, too. He likes Pope St. John Paul II and St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. But he’s especially inspired by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA, the founder of the Eternal Word Television Network. You know her as “Mother Angelica.” One story about Mother Angelica in particular gives Chris hope. When she was a religious novice, Mother Angelica was severely injured in an accident. After about 40 years of walking with the assistance of crutches and braces, she was miraculously healed at a prayer-meeting during the recitation of the Holy Rosary. She said, “Lord, all of these years You have used me as a comfort and an example for all of the handicapped and crippled. If You want to change this, it is OK with me.” Though Chris faces many challenges, his faith in God keeps him hopeful about the future. “Everybody tells me I have a positive attitude. The truth is, I don’t let my Spina Bifida define who I am as a person. I don’t think I would have endured what I’ve been through without my faith. I wouldn’t have come this far. …The Blessed Virgin Mary has helped me a lot, especially in regards to overcoming various sins and temptations. I’ve had a lot of struggles, but I just keep invoking her in prayer.” — Marc Massery A walking, talking testament to faith P hoto by M arc M assery