“I was praying for Marc Massery and all his family and loved ones,” Maria Cecilia recalled, “when I asked the Lord, ‘What can we do?’” That’s when she was inspired to share God’s mercy with those affected by suicide.
By Dr. Veronica Szczygiel
Maria Cecilia Escobedo heard God’s voice loud and clear when she visited the Divine Mercy Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2016. It was the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, and Catholic churches around the world had celebratory “Doors of Mercy” to mark the feast. When Maria Cecilia — a mother homeschooling her five children and suffering from postpartum depression — walked through that door, she heard God speaking straight to her heart.
She heard, “Mercy begins with self. My greatest command is to love Me with body, mind, and soul so you can love others as you love yourself.”
A turning point
Maria Cecilia realized in that moment that she hadn’t been taking proper care of herself. Eighty pounds overweight and feeling overwhelmed with homeschooling, she was experiencing an interior darkness. Starved for some spiritual consolation, she had decided one day to pack her five kids into the car and drive 45 minutes to the Divine Mercy Church. She entered the church at exactly 3 p.m. on the final Friday of the Year of Mercy.
“When I heard God’s voice,” she recalled, “I realized I wasn’t really loving myself and therefore couldn’t be merciful to either myself or others.” Instead, she was turning into a self-made martyr, giving her all to her family and loved ones and in the meantime, neglecting herself.
This singular encounter began a trajectory that would transform Maria Cecilia’s life and ministry. Realizing the challenges that motherhood brings and the need to feel support throughout the journey, she began an online community called “Catholic Wellness Mom.” This platform focused on helping Catholic mothers navigate motherhood through an integrated body, soul, and mind approach.
“I wanted other women to know that true love of self is not selfish,” Maria Cecilia said. “When you take care of yourself, you create a ripple effect by sharing that love with your husband and children.”
The online ministry gained traction with its motivating messages of hope, practical wellness tips, and focus on faith. It made such a splash that it caught the eye of Marian Helper magazine, specifically one of its dedicated assistant editors and contributors, Marc Massery.
Marc found “Catholic Wellness Mom” as he was researching stories to feature. In his role with the Marian Fathers, Marc worked on writing and editing articles for the magazine and newsletters, creating humorous and insightful “Discovering the Diary” videos, and crafting “Sunday Scripture Preview” reflections, among many other important responsibilities. Marc’s devotion to Divine Mercy was total, genuine, and deep.
On April 10, 2021, Marc took his own life. He had long been suffering from chronic Lyme disease for which he was unable to find relief, despite turning to a series of physicians and healthcare professionals for medical care. He usually hid his suffering beneath a calm temperament and positive attitude.
‘What can we do?’
Maria Cecilia developed a beautiful friendship with Marc after he initially reached out to her about her ministry. She was devastated when she learned about his suicide. The entire Marian Family felt the tragic shock of his loss. After much prayer and contemplation, Maria Cecilia felt the Lord tugging at her heartstrings yet again.
“I was praying for Marc and all his family and loved ones,” she recalled, “when I asked the Lord, ‘What can we do?’” That’s when she was inspired to share God’s mercy with those affected by suicide. Maria Cecilia wanted to help others see that God is fully present even in moments of tragedy and sorrow.
After the death of a loved one by suicide, people can feel a whole range of emotions, from anger to sorrow to guilt, blaming themselves for not picking up on the signs early on. Christians also become anxious about the state of the soul of their loved one who took their own life.
Maria Cecilia wanted to help bring comfort to those suffering from loss. For her, this mission became deeply personal: Not only did she lose her friend Marc, but she learned that her great-grandfather from Cuba had also succumbed to suicide. Her hope in her new ministry was twofold: To help initiate a process of healing and to spread an understanding of the Church’s teaching on suicide and the message of Divine Mercy.
‘Marc with Hope’
With the Massery family’s permission, Maria Cecilia set up a web initiative titled “Marc with Hope.” Through this website, folks can request care packages for themselves or for others who are mourning loss from suicide.
Maria Cecilia carefully assembles each package herself, curating resources that can help someone struggling with their new reality. Each free care package includes the Marian Press book After Suicide: There is Hope for Them and You by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, and Fr. Jason Lewis, MIC; a Rosary; a “Consolation in Time of Suicide” prayer card; a pamphlet on praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet; a printed Divine Mercy Jesus Image; and a Mass card from the Marian Fathers. All these items are purchased with Maria Cecilia’s own money. Since its inception, she has sent out 50 packages to those in need.
Maria Cecilia hopes to show others that God’s mercy touches us all, even and especially those who have committed suicide. She hopes to grow this ministry, and we can certainly help. On Nov. 24, the day before her 50th birthday, she will be running her first marathon on the coast line of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to fundraise for her ministry, “Marc with Hope.” All the money she raises will be used to assemble care packages to send to grieving loved ones. You can sponsor a care package through this donation form.
As Maria Cecilia runs the marathon, she will be praying for those who have lost their lives to suicide. “I want to honor their memory and entrust them to the infinite mercy of God,” she shared.
After all, Jesus said to St. Faustina: “Pray as much as you can for the dying. By your entreaties, obtain for them trust in My mercy, because they have most need of trust, and have it the least… Be assured that the grace of eternal salvation for certain souls in their final moment depends on your prayer” (Diary, 1777).
Let us pray for those suffering with suicidal thoughts, succumbing to suicide, and their loved ones. If we know anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide, sending Maria Cecilia’s care package can go a long way toward healing hearts.
Visit SuicideAndHope.org to add your loved one to our prayer list, learn more about the Catholic Church’s teaching on suicide, and access more resources to help you grieve with faith.
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