Marian Helper • Spring 2022 • marian.org 21 Are you a “newbie” like me? I have a longstanding devotion to St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy. Three or four times a year, for more years than I can remember, I’ve made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Every visit was inspiring and restorative, even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — loved the drive-in Confessions! I’ve made donations to the Shrine over the years, but I was never an official, full-fledged Marian Helper — until now, after visiting MICPrayers.org to sign up. Membership benefits Honestly, I had no idea what I’ve been missing. In fact, I am discovering the benefits of membership every day. Here’s a refresher: l The Association of Marian Helpers is now in its 81st year and has two millionmembers, united in prayer as one great big spiritual family. l As a Vatican-approved association, Marian Helpers share in the same graces, prayers, good works, and merits of the Marian priests and brothers. l Marian Helpers are remembered at Mass every day, as well as on feast days of Christ Our Savior and His Blessed Mother, and in the perpetual Novena to Divine Mercy. l There’s also a monthly Mass for Marian Helpers on each First Friday and First Saturday, and a Mass offered for deceased members on All Souls Day. It’s awesome to think that I have a vast army of prayer warriors in my corner, united in our common mission to save souls. And how about this: In 1936, St. Faustina said that Jesus revealed to her that one day, an association of lay people would exist for the propagation of the devotion of Divine Mercy: “These persons will have a share in all the merits and privileges of the whole [congregation]. Everyone in the world can belong to this group” (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1157). The Association of Marian Helpers is divinely inspired! As the new executive editor of Marian Helper, I turned to a long-time Marian Helper, Gloria Marone of Harrison, NewYork. “Spiritual health is as important as physical health,” Gloria insists. “Divine Mercy brings a sense of peace, calm, and comfort that is so desperately needed in this world. I spread the message with everyone I meet.” Marian Helpers like Gloria and all of you support the work of the Marian Fathers in any way they can. Our vast world-wide mission of evangelization is depends upon your generosity. Donations fromMarian Helpers also support the very future of the Congregation: our seminarians in formation, who are discerning and preparing for a life of service to Christ and His Church. There’s also support for the National Shrine, which hosts the largest annual Divine Mercy Sunday celebration in North America, televised worldwide on EWTN. And speaking of EWTN, there’s “Living Divine Mercy,” our weekly program that spreads the message of Divine Mercy through lessons and profiles of people who put Divine Mercy spirituality into practice in their daily lives. I hope you’re watching! The ultimate cause Obviously, there are costs involved to support these and many more evangelization efforts as well as vocations. That is why we depend on donations from you, our devoted Marian Helpers. And you have responded in droves, because you know the money is put to good use, and for the ultimate cause: the salvation of souls through the message of Divine Mercy, devotion to Mary Immaculate, and prayer for the Holy Souls. As you can probably tell, I am now a converted Marian Helper, like all of you. Please join me in inviting family members and friends to join our growing spiritual family by visiting MICPrayers.org or by calling 1-800-462-7426. Let’s keep each other in prayer—newbie or not —as we progress through the penitential season of Lent to the glory of Easter and the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. To Be A Marian Helper Confessions — and conversion — of a ‘newbie’ By Dr. Joe McAleer
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