Did you know that St. John had to take Mary and flee Jerusalem because of the persecution of Christians?
Did you know he built a home for her in Ephesus, Turkey?
That house became a Catholic Church during the first century but then lay hidden for centuries and it wasn't until July 29, 1891 that the house was located and identified through the efforts of Sr. Marie De Mandat-Grancey.
Just as the house was hidden, the story of Sr. Marie was also hidden until now. People around the world have been inspired with an interest the House of Mary and have enkindled a great devotion to Sister Marie.
Most significantly, the Holy House of Ephesus is not only a precious shrine for Christians, but for Moslems alike.
In the words of Fr. Jerome M. Vereb, C.P., S.T.D.:
“Sister Marie De Mandat-Grancey, D.C. was born of an aristocratic family in Dijon in 1837. In 1858 she exchanged the title of Countess for that of Sister when she joined the daughters of charity of St. Vincent De Paul in the parish of St. Sulpice, Paris. On September 27, 1862 she made her First Profession. After years of nursing in France, she was assigned to the French Mission in Turkey in 1886, serving in the European Hospital at Smyrna. In 1890 she became the Superior of the Community and of the Hospital. While there she became the central figure of an effort by priests and archeologists to locate and identify a house (July 29, 1891) said to be occupied by Mary, the Mother of Jesus and by St. John, the Beloved Disciple. Besides being a pious and devout religious, Sister Marie was also an astute businesswoman. She at once secured the purchase of the house (November 15, 1892), despite many obstacles. The noteworthiness of Domus Mariae is located in the fact that it is a precious shrine for Moslems and Christians alike. Pope Paul VI visited the House on the 26th of July and Pope John Paul II came there as a pilgrim November 30, 1979. Sister Marie lived a heroic life of Christian charity and devout dedication to the dignity of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Sister Marie died in 1915 in the midst of the First World War. Her cause for canonization is currently being considered.”
During these times of strife in the world, we pray for the intercession of Sister Marie to lead Christians and Muslims alike to the heart of Mary, through Our Lady of Ephesus.
A prayer for the intercession of SISTER MARIE DE MANDAT-GRANCEY (1837-1915):
We thank God for giving us the privilege of Sister Marie De Mandat-Grancey. Through her great generosity she acquired the property at Ephesus, the home of Mary and St. John the Evangelist. We ask God and Sr. Marie to continue to bless the cornerstone given to here, “Around this cornerstone we will build our faith and the powers of darkness will not prevail.” We pray for God will to be Completely fulfilled through the intercession of Sr. Marie. Amen.
Visit www.sistermarie.com for more information and prayer cards.
Impramatur W. Giuseppe G. Bernardini, Archbishop of Izmir, Turkey, October 6, 2004.
