Over the weekend I was with an amazing group of teens that allowed me to see the ‘wonder & awe’ of God. They began on a very early Saturday morning, faces disgruntled and body language closed off. By the end of the evening as we experienced adoration and the great healing gift in reconciliation their souls were transformed and they illuminated the light of Christ. As it never fails to happen there is always a story that comes out of getting to work with ANY age group and that is one of abuse. There s no wonder why I come home from a retreat or an evening of speaking and feel so drained because it causes my spirit to mourn with the survivors that share their story, sometimes for the first time, with me. It is an honor and a gift, but emotionally taxing.
Today it dawned on me that another gift that was given to me a few years before is now ready to be fully redeemed. That is the creation of the Healing Hearts Ministry. I’ve featured the logo on this website alongside my name and I’ve featured the story of how the logo came about in the ‘featured’ stories…but I’ve put off making it ‘my’ minstry. I do believe it is now time. Now I just need to look into making official. If you have any idea, I’d love to hear from you! 🙂 I”m sure my peeps at Maria Goretti can help me out. And that’s another point, I want my ministry to enhance the Maria Goretti Network. Where MGN is an actual social justice organization that sets up in parishes and has monthly meetings, my ministry is simply ‘me’ and my books and the speaking ministry. I put it in God’s hands.
To refresh on where Healing Hearts came from I thought I’d repost the story:
This logo is a gift to all survivors of abuse – Physical, Sexual, Mental and Emotional
It was given to me by God and means a lot to me so I wanted to share it with you. The logo represents healing and it’s creation is made up of a very distinct pattern:
■3 Hearts (represent the LOVE of the Trinity)
■Each heart is made up of two symbols, 1 V and an upside M.
■Each M represents three saints that have survived abuse and each V represents the glory of the Saint:
■Blessed Mother Mary – Victory
■St. Mary Magdalene – Value
■St. Maria Goretti – Veneration
With this logo a scripture verse was revealed: Ephesians 5:11-14 “Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything EXPOSED by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says: Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
In order to stop abuse we must not allow it to keep us in the dark. If you have been abused in any way, please contact your local authorities, priest, youth minister, or a trusted family member. Do not keep it in the dark, rather break free and allow Christ to shine hope upon you and flood you with His healing grace.
The logo was fashioned by artist Emily Lacour. Thank you Emily!
Blessings everyone!
Shannon