He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.
-St. Faustina
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Upcoming Retreat...
"Laws which legitimize the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion or euthanasia are in complete opposition to the inviolable right to life proper to every individual...
- Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae (1995), no. 72
Spirituality, Practicality, and Reality for Catholics, "Living the Gospel of Life!"
September 6th - 8th
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato
Director, LifeMinistriesUS
In 1998, the US Bishops issued a document called "Living the Gospel of Life" fulfilling a challenge to them by St Pope John II to apply his infallible encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) to Catholics in our country.
"Living the Gospel of Life" is the original blueprint of Life Ministry for American Catholics. Fr Stephen Imbarrato is a great-grandfather priest who has been ordained 15 years and has been a pro-life activist for almost 25 years. Fr Stephen has 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Ordained "late-life" at the age of 53 for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Fr Stephen, now retired, has experienced the pain of abortion firsthand and is a certified Project Rachel Priest.
The death of the unborn is an unthinkable evil. Join us for a retreat featuring a holy priest on the front lines of this battle as he reflects on how to really Live the Gospel of Life today!
Stay with us! Find out about our Retreat House HERE. Limited space is available
Fr. Chad Ripperger Teaches on Our Lady of Sorrows
The Success of Unplanned, the movie
By now, you have probably heard of the movie, Unplanned, based on the book with the same name by Abby Johnson. Johnson, a formal...Read more
A New Year filled with Possibilities
We just had our first retreat at OSMM for 2019. Fr. James Jackson was here for the first time and we are hoping we...Read more
Why I am Still Catholic.
There has been much written, speculated upon and reported about the sexual abuse scandal in the Church. It has been difficult to hear and...Read more
What people are saying
“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
Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry has strengthened the faith of so many who have participated in their retreats. their commitment to teaching the Catholic faith and forming disciples to live it out is a great blessing to the whole Church. I encourage anyone who want to deepen their walk with Christ to participate in and support this ministry.
~Fr. Scott Snider, Pastor of Mother of Dolors Church, Vandalia, IL and St. Joseph Church, Ramsey, IL and Chaplain of Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry.
"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, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Granite City, IL
OSMM has been a big part of our ministry & lives for almost 20 years! But the best thing about OSMM, above & beyond the impact it has had on us, are Vanessa & Debbie. They have been faithful, loving, friends like few people are! May God continue to bless & grow their ministry! Sr Susan & her fellow sisters, the Apostles of the Interior Life
"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. Jackson