The Victorious Missionaries is a spiritual support network for persons with a disability or chronic illness. The movement began in 1964 and was founded by the late Fr. John Maronic, OMI. When he first began nurturing the growth of this organization, he sensed the desire of persons with a disability to share their gifts with others. He believed they also had a responsibility of sharing those gifts with the Universal Church and the world, as missionaries do.

 

Missionaries are people sent out to spread the love of God; therefore, we are missionaries too! We have been adding our spirit of love to the world in ever increasing numbers and on several levels. Our National Office, over the years, has become a spiritual resource center with persons with disabilities, as well as those who journey with them.

 

We invite you to join us in our Victorious Missionaries' Circle of Prayer, as we remember your needs and the prayer needs of your family and friends. Send us your prayer needs by mail or phone and we will place them in our prayer basket where they will be prayed for daily.

 

Our National Office publishes a newsletter called UPLIFT, which is designed to provide new insights and inspiration for spiritual growth. It is published quarterly.

 

As St. Paul says in 2 Cor. 1: 5-7, "You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. We are in deep trouble for bringing you God's comfort and salvation. But in our trouble God had comforted us-and this, too, to help you; to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you strength to endure. “WE ARE VICTORIOUS MISSIONARIES--WE REJOICE IN WHAT WE HAVE TO GIVE.”

 

Ever since the Angel came and rolled the stone away on Easter Morning, access has been a virtue in the Church. In our time, I believe we are called to put that virtue into practice, journeying toward the day we will have a church without barriers, totally inclusive for all the people of God. Perhaps our greatest challenge is to demonstrate how individuals who are disabled, figure in the understanding of the mysteries of salvation, as expressed in the life of the church. How do persons with disabilities become threads woven into a seamless tapestry? Without these essential threads the entire tapestry of our faith unravels.

 

Victorious Missionaries are Disciples who are disabled, looking forward to the day when we will be ministering in a church without barriers, becoming the essential thread that will help bring about a wholesome presence of God to all the people.

 

If you feel a similar call to active ministry in service to God, we would like to hear from you. You are a vital part of the living faith community and you can make a difference in our world. Christ's promise was life in the fullest, we have to claim it.

 

Fr. John Maronic once stated, "The greatest essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to live for, and something to hope for." This supports our mission of welcome and accommodation for our brothers and sisters who sense the world in differing ways. We are dedicated to the creation of environments, which foster the unique and individual talents, abilities, skills and flaws of each of us. And when we succeed, we will join in an endless circle of inclusion of all people, no matter what their disabilities may be.

 

The Victorious Missionaries offer the following services: Days of Renewal, Conferences and Retreats, Newsletters, Personal Prayer Ministry, Circle of Prayer (sharing prayer intentions). A video entitled: "Celebrating the Journey"(20 minute, closed captioned), the story of one day in the life of VM members, filmed at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. A VM Book, "Able to Uplift," with real people, real stories of VM members who bring to others by their lives, the good news that through love, faith and prayer there is meaning in human suffering.

 

For more information contact:

Victorious Missionaries

442 So. DeMazenod Dr.

Belleville, IL 62223-1097

Ph# (618) 394-6281 (Voice or TTY).

E-mail bmunie@oblatesusa org

Visit our website: www.vmusa.org

Bro. Francis Sullivan, O.M.I. VM National Director

Billie Munie VM Administrative Assistant