The first time I heard the name of Fr. John Maronic, O.M.I., was in the early 1950's. I soon learned that he was a man who was always interested in the total well-being of the other person, the human as well as the spiritual well-being. He worked hard to make known the “Good News of the Gospel,” to all with whom he came into contact.

Fr. Maronic was the first pilgrimage director at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. In that ministry, he saw that persons with physical handicaps were visiting the Shrine and he began requesting their names and addresses.

Fr. Maronic also began researching groups that helped the disabled and found that most groups involved healthy people helping those with physical limitations. He decided that a spiritually oriented group should be formed that was actually run by those with disabilities. In May, 1964, the first Day of Renewal for the VMs was held at the Shrine.

The people who decided to join the VMs offered themselves willingly to God and accepted whatever God brought into their lives. VM members became agents of the redeeming action of Christ, bringing light to those in darkness, bringing relief to the agonizing.

Staff with the VMs began traveling throughout the country setting up local chapters. The organization became international when a VM chapter was established in Clarescastle County Clare, Ireland. Each chapter has its own dedicated local group that plans local days of renewal for its membership.

Twice a year, gatherings are held for VM members at the Shrine, a winter retreat and a fall national conference. The group also publishes regular newsletters discussing issues related to people with disabilities. These publications are read in all 50 states and in 15 foreign countries.

The future of the Victorious Missionaries belongs to all of us together, working to share our life of faith with each other. We need to be present to what is going on right here and now, even when we don’t know what the future will bring. God, who has guided us through our journey of faith, will, I am certain, be with us as we pray, meet, and share our vision of faith with each other in the years ahead.

To learn more about the Victorious Missionaries, you can visit their web site at www.vmusa.org. You can also contact the VM National Office at: Victorious Missionaries, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive, Belleville IL 62223-1023, 618-394-6281.






				Fourty Graced Years by Bro. Francis Sullivan, O.M.I., VM Director