By Julia Rose
jrose@Marian.org
The past week began on a somber note, but definitely ended on a high!
Rest in peace, Maureen Digan
Last Friday, June 12, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the National Shrine for Maureen Digan. As you may know, Maureen experienced a miraculous healing in March 1981 at the tomb of Sr. Faustina, which ultimately led to Faustina's beatification in 1993, the penultimate step to sainthood. You can read Maureen's obituary here.
Maureen's beloved husband of more than 55 years, Deacon Bob, sat in the first pew (above), and the Shrine chapel was filled with family, friends, and Marian Helpers who came for the historic parting. Brother John Luth, MIC, delivered the eulogy.
In his homily, Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, spoke powerfully about how the miracle shaped Maureen's faith. He noted that "she bore many, many crosses," from lymphedema (which resulted in countless surgeries, including the amputation of her leg), a miscarriage, and the precarious health of her special needs son, Bobby, who began having seizures at just under 2 years old.
"God’s miraculous healing over 40 years ago wasn’t just physical, but spiritual for Maureen," Fr. Anthony said. "It also healed her heart.”
"We get so involved in our daily duties that it's easy to forget that there are these important people in our midst whom God raises up," added Shrine Rector, Fr. David Gunter, MIC. "We are reminded again of God’s mercy and how it plays out in people’s lives differently and, in Maureen’s case, miraculously. May she rest in peace.”
Sisterly connections
While attending the reception following Maureen Digan’s funeral, I had the pleasure of meeting Sr. Mary Ann Socha and Sr. Victoria Michalenko, founding members of the Community of the Mother of God of Tenderness, a Greek-Melkite (Byzantine) religious community in Danbury, Connecticut. They have been friends for more than 50 years, since they were novices together with the Felician Sisters.
If the name "Michalenko" sounds familiar, it’s because it is! Sister Victoria is the younger sister of the late Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, translator of the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, and the Marian who accompanied the Digans to Poland and witnessed Maureen's miraculous healing. As vice-postulator for North America in the canonization cause of Sr. Faustina, Fr. Seraphim was instrumental in spreading the Divine Mercy message worldwide.
Sr. Victoria shared this beautiful snapshot of her brother in Poland after he attended the canonization of St. Faustina at the Vatican in 2000. Notice the sweet bird (circled) at his foot? Father sent this photo with a note, “I think that’s St. Faustina saying, ‘You did a good job!’” Fr. Seraphim sure did!
Speaking of saints, all are invited to venerate the relics of St. Padre Pio which will be displayed this weekend in the St. Faustina Center. Details here.
Tomorrow, join us online only for a new talk by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, at 11 a.m. ET on "St. Thomas More & St. John Fisher, Martyrs," in advance of their feast day on Monday. Watch on YouTube at Divine Mercy (Official), Facebook at Divine Mercy (Official), and on DivineMercyPlus.org.
All are invited to June’s Healing Mass at 7 p.m. next Thursday, June 25, which will be celebrated by Fr. Tyler Mentzer, MIC. Details here.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage stops by!
Yesterday was a joyous — and historic — day here at the Shrine! The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage entered Massachusetts and made Eden Hill its first stop. The pilgrimage has been making its way up the Eastern Seaboard along the "Cabrini Route," with St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized, serving as patroness.
On a blustery day, more than 250 pilgrims joined the Marian Fathers, employees, and volunteers in a procession around Eden Hill, led by Fr. David Gunter, MIC, praying the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, making seven stops or "stations" along the way.
The Fifth Station, Mary Standing at the Foot of the Cross, was particularly moving as pilgrims prayed in front of the 12th Outdoor Station of the Cross, “Jesus Dies on the Cross” (above).
The procession was followed by a Holy Hour in the Shrine with the Rosary for life, followed by Mass, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction.
In his homily at Mass, Fr. Daniel Klimek spoke beautifully about the importance of pilgrimage and honoring our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament:
You have walked many miles through hardships, difficulty, adverse weather, I’m sure, heat or rain, on pilgrimage. It is ultimately an act of crucified love, there is love in the penance, in the hardship that is willing to sacrifice for Jesus. The pilgrimage thus echoes the footsteps of the Son of God Himself, who walked this earth to sacrifice for us. We carry the Eucharist — the Real Presence of Christ — as our true food for the journey. Here, on this pilgrim path, the Cross is not a distant memory but a present reality. The same Jesus who sweat blood in Gethsemane, who was scourged, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the Cross for love of us, now veils Himself in the humble species of bread and wine. He walks with us. He suffers in us. He invites us into the very heart of His redeeming love.
He concluded with an inspiring send-off:
As we continue this journey, carry the Lord not only in the monstrance but within your own heart. Offer Him your fatigue, your doubts, your hidden sufferings. Unite them to His. Let this be a pilgrimage of reparation, of thanksgiving, and of supplication for a world grown cold. Beg Our Lady, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross and held the lifeless Body of her Son, to teach us this same fidelity. May she, the Star of the Sea and Mother of the Eucharist, accompany us until we reach our destination—until every heart on this pilgrimage beats in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pilgrims of all ages, including families, had a wonderful day out. Above, Mary Claire, Francesca, Amanda, and Ashley, four beautiful mothers from St. Martha Catholic Church in Enfield, Connecticut, brought all of their kids! They had a great time talking to Fr. Mark Baron, MIC.
“I’ve been following the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on social media, so I knew it was coming to the area," Francesca said. "We love the Shrine, and we love Stockbridge. We look for any opportunity to be in the presence of Our Lord and come together and honor Him, especially here at the Shrine.”
Asked if she had any advice for young moms on how to encourage the faith in their children, Francesca said, “Bring your children to Jesus, first and foremost. Take it one Hail Mary at a time. And don’t be afraid to form your own community if there’s not one that exists already!”
What a gift for the Shrine to participate in this national movement that began all the way in St. Augustine, Florida, and will conclude on Fourth of July weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! The pilgrimage is now in Springfield: follow the progress here.
And in case you missed the live coverage of our visit, here's a replay:
Fun fact: Our Lord travels by van, accompanied by a chaplain and 9 "Perpetual Pilgrims" (above), all in their early twenties. The van is fitted with a tabernacle and monstrance, and as it rolls along the highway, the passengers often pray a Holy Hour!
Happy Father's Day!
God bless all the Dads and Granddads out there — including mine! — as well as all the Marian Fathers! Please join us at the Shrine on Sunday for a special blessing of fathers after every Mass. Details here.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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