Today’s the feast of St. Anthony, the “finder of lost things.” And at Cross Catholic Outreach, we’re also in the business of finding lost things. Working with our ministry partners, we help people find hope and new beginnings. Kind of like the story of 20-year-old Anyeli at the Villa Mornese Salesian Home for Girls in Mexico.
Anyeli fled her family’s home in rural Mexico searching for answers. Her family was so poor, they felt the only way to give Anyeli a better life was to give her away to an early marriage. She didn’t want to get married, she wanted to go to school and improve herself—but she couldn’t afford it on her own. Even worse, her heart had been wounded from a lifetime of poverty.
Just as she was about to give up, she found out about the Salesian Sisters at Villa Mornese. These sisters take in poor girls, provide for their basic needs, help them get an education and shower them with the love of Christ.
When Anayeli showed up at Villa Mornese looking for the hopes and dreams she had lost, the sisters welcomed her in with open arms. They began the process of healing her broken and wounded heart. She was also able to enroll at a local vocational school to prepare for a career as a seamstress. And the best part: Anyeli was introduced to Jesus, and he gave her back her hope!
Isn’t it wonderful? Anyeli found her hope again! In this Year of Faith, let us join St. Anthony to help others find hope through the compassion of Christ and the message of the Gospel.
-Catherine M.
