“Thank you to Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry and all the work they do to bring people closer to Christ. I see this ministry as an important part of forming intentional disciples of our Lord in the Diocese of Springfield and beyond.”

~ Bishop Thomas John Paprocki

Over the years, Our Sorrowful Mother Ministry/Betania XVI has been a powerhouse of Catholic spirituality, of healing and of works of mercy, serving the Midwest region and beyond. Totally faithful to the Church, sanctioned by the local Bishop, and full of dynamism and joy, this ministry continues to show us the face of Jesus in a world desperately in need of him. May Our Lady always protect this precious lay movement.

~Fr. Tim Byerley, Vice Postulator for the Cause of Servant of God Maria Esperanza

"I was blessed to have my first experience at Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry in October of this year. It was a wonderful, spiritually uplifting experience and long overdue. The faith and fidelity of not only those who were present for the conferences but also of the many volunteers was spiritually profitable for me. In the world today with so many forces arrayed against the truth of Holy Mother Church, the works that Debbie and Vanessa are doing is desperately needed. As a priest, I am grateful to know these courageous servants laboring in the vineyard with me. I look forward to being at OSMM on many occasions in the years to come."

~Msgr. Morris, Rector of the Oratory of Ss. Gregory and Augustine and priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The Betania Foundation would like to state that, in our opinion, OSMM is an institution founded to work as an instrument of God's plan of evangelization and of edification of his kingdom in Vandalia (IL), surroundings and in the souls of the hundreds of people from the different corners of the US who benefit from its conferences and retreats. In addition, we applaud the many corporal and spiritual works of mercy we have witnessed since Our Lord crossed our paths, especially the great task of coordinating donations with so many wonderful and mindful people, collecting food and supplies, and then shipping them to Venezuela, our dear but very afflicted country.

~Maria Coromoto Bianchini de Marrero, daughter of Maria Esperanza and Vice President of Betania Foundation

OSMM is a dynamic lay lead ministry that brings outstanding Catholic speakers and retreat masters to south-central Illinois. Your prayers and generosity are helping to build up the Church and change lives throughout the Midwest every month.

~Fr. John Titus, Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Mattoon, IL

A grace filled place, under the patronage of the Mediatrix of all grace.

                     Fr. Joseph Tuscan, OFM Cap.

"As a native Vandalian, I have been blessed to know the many faithful Catholics at Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry for almost my entire life. Their work as catechists and as prayer warriors have helped shape me into the priest I am today."

- Fr. Zachary Edgar, Chaplain of Illinois Veterans Home, Quincy, IL

"I traveled to Vandalia to give a short recollection to the faithful at Our Lady of Sorrows Ministry. What struck me most about it was the deep and evident desire of the faithful there to be more united to God through His Sorrowful Mother. Mary has not let them down. The ministry is in enemy territory - as are all faithful Catholics in our times - yet the Faith continues to flourish there. It is a small miracle, which I found heartening and glad."

~ Fr. James Jackson