n 1954, when she was in her mid-twenties, Mary Kerrigan traveled with her aunts from Boston to Chicago. As they were enjoying their vacation in the Windy City, Mary made a decision – she wasn’t going back to Boston.

“I just fell in love with the place,” Mary laughed. She found a job as a legal secretary for a law firm in downtown Chicago, and rented a room from a woman named Mrs. Catherine Lynch. Soon, Mary settled into her life in Chicago.

A year went by, and Mary was enjoying herself. She thought she had everything she needed. Mrs. Lynch thought differently.

“She said to me one day,‘You’re not getting any younger. It’s high time you were married.’ You have to understand, it was a different time back then. You went to school, graduated, worked, saved up some money, and got married.”

Mrs. Lynch was traveling with her sister to visit her sister’s son, Eugene Prendiville, who was studying to be a Missionary Oblate at St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, Illinois. Mrs. Lynch prayed Our Lady of the Snows would find Mary a husband.

Meanwhile, Mary was busy at the law firm. An important case was assigned, and many documents needed to be audited. Needing help, the lawyers requested an auditor be sent to Chicago.

Robert Wright arrived from New York and was assigned to the case. Every day, he would see a young secretary working at the office. He introduced himself, and she said her name was Mary. Five weeks after their first date, the couple was engaged. The Wrights were married on September 24, 1955, in St. Gregory’s Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

On September 24, 2005, Bob and Mary Wright celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple was planning to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in the fall and decided they wanted to renew their vows there. Bob and Mary had made many trips to the Shrine since their marriage, in thanksgiving for the intercession of Our Lady of the Snows. As Mary explained, “When I met Bob, it was Our Lady at work.”

On October 17, 2005, Bob and Mary renewed their vows at the Christ the King Chapel at the Shrine. Fr. Louis Studer, O.M.I., director of the Shrine, was the presider, and Fr. Eugene Prendiville, O.M.I, the nephew of Catherine Lynch, was a concelebrant. Bob and Mary celebrated the Mass with their son John and his wife Mary Trautt Wright, and John and Mary’s daughter, Kathleen, all who live in Mascoutah, Illinois. Their son James, who lives in Boston, was unable to travel to the Shrine because of his work schedule. He celebrated with his parents on their anniversary date.

Bob and Mary Wright have stayed committed to their devotion of Our Lady of the Snows and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and have made many gifts throughout the years. They generously give to the Oblates’ mission work around the world because “the Oblates know the way the world is going in a religious way.” The Wrights have led a blessed life, thanks in part to the intercession of Our Lady of the Snows.

For more information on how to share your blessings with the Oblates, call the Charitable Gifts Department at 1-800-233-6264, or mail your check to: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate,   9480 N. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville IL   62223-1160.