Mary Ann was brought to the cancer home at age three. Though her Father had been baptized a Catholic, neither she nor any of her siblings had been raised Catholic. While at the cancer home she attended Mass with the Sisters. The Sisters later asked her parents if she could be baptized, and they consented. She later received four other Sacraments; Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick. Mary Ann chose St. Joseph for her confirmation saint. She chose him because he protected Mary and Jesus, and she wanted him to protect her as well. By her prayers and example her sisters and mother also received the sacraments and entered into the Catholic Church. Mary Ann’s cancer affected herself and those around her in many ways. For her, it was God’s will and she accepted it. She knew that God could heal her if he chose to; it was not for her to …show more content…
By all accounts of the world she did not have a happy life, because she was separated from her family and lived in constant pain. If happiness simply means being able to indulge in whatever earthly things that you enjoy, whether it be food, clothes, money, etc., then Mary Ann did not have a happy life. If happiness means serving others, bringing joy to them, and waiting in hope until the Lord comes for you, then Mary Ann was the happiest person in the world. Neither sickness nor despair kept her from the joy of the cross and the hope of heaven. Mary Ann’s illness and suffering affected the prayer life of herself and those around her. If she had not had cancer, she may have never been baptized, because she would not have gone to the home. If she did not have cancer, she would not have encountered Christ in the same way. Her prayer life brought those around her closer to Christ by showing them his grace and love. It showed them that God wants all to come to him, even those who are sick and weak, and that he will give them