“I am the second of nine children, given my name because I was born very close to the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. “I married in 1975 and my husband and I had one daughter, Maria Donna. Then in 1984, my husband was murdered. It was a devastating loss! I never thought I would re-marry, but I met my future husband, Kiyoshi, five years later. “I first encountered the Divine Mercy in 2007 when I had a severe family problem that really tested my faith. Being a Filipina, I of course knew of the Divine Mercy prayer but had never really prayed to Jesus the Divine Mercy. Only one prayer “I went to our priest at the Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo for counseling. I was struck by the advice Fr. Cal Sweeney gave me, which I will never forget. ‘There is only one prayer that you should say: “Jesus, I trust in You,”’ he said. “When Fr. Cal said this, I immediately knew Who the Divine Mercy was, what His image looked like, and that very short but powerful prayer below His feet! “I took Fr. Cal’s advice, and can truly say that, since then, Jesus, the Divine Mercy, has never failed me. “I heard about the Marian Fathers through my brother who lives in California. He told me about a priest he’d seen on You Tube who was dedicated to our Blessed Mother and praying the Rosary: Fr. Donald Calloway. I was so blown away by his life story, his conversion, and his ‘Totus Tuus’ devotion to our Lord, the Blessed Mother, and now St. Joseph. “As I learned more about the Marians, I discovered a treasure trove! I love the daily livestream Masses, Rosaries, and Chaplets, and also the talks that Fr. Chris Alar gives on Saturdays. During Holy Week, I watch all of the Masses and, especially, Divine Mercy Sunday. “These streaming services are really a gift for us who cannot be there physically in Stockbridge. And it’s wonderful to catch glimpses of the breathtakingly beautiful grounds of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. I hope to visit one day!” Making a gift You can help support the Marians in their work as Maria Lourdes does, by making a gift to one of the Marian Fathers’ ministries that resonates with you, whether it is a special devotion to Our Lady or praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Sometimes the simplest prayer is the most powerful. One of our Marian Helpers — from Japan! — recently shared her story with me. It’s a testament to how the Marians and the message of Divine Mercy unite us all in His love, no matter where we are in the world — and how “Jesus I Trust In You” can transform a life. Here is Maria Lourdes’ story, in her own words. FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE Outstanding Helpers Hope Ponsart Hansen is a major gifts officer for the Marian Fathers. Contact her at (413) 298-1387; [email protected]; or Association of Marian Helpers, Stockbridge, MA 01263. Visit Giving.Marian.org to learn more. “I never thought I would remarry”: Maria Lourdes and her current husband, Kiyoshi. Marian Helper • Spring 2025 • Marian.org 31
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