by Father Henry Grodecki, C.M.

This article summarizes a pamphlet authored by Jerome M. Vereb, C.P.S.T.D., and Erin von Uffel, D.M. about the life of Sister Marie.  This is part two of a two-part article —Father Grodecki

From the earliest days of the newly formed Church, there existed a tradition that said Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, and other Christian faithful had fled Jerusalem after the first persecutions of the followers of Christ began in 37 A.D.

The community of Ephesus was a haven of religious freedom.  Even though it is still debated today as to whether Mary died in Ephesus or returned to Jerusalem later and died there, recent popes have honored the Shrine at Ephesus as a genuine dwelling place of Mary and Saint John.

Fortuitous Events

The story of Sister Marie’s involvement with Mary’s home is filled with chance events. Soon after becoming Superior of the house in Smyrna, Sister Marie asked a visiting Vincentian priest to select a spiritual reading for her community during their evening meal. He happened to select a book that contained descriptions of the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.

Another Vincentian at that evening meal just happened to be Father Eugene Poulin, C.M.  A classical scholar and scientist, Father Poulin was not interested in the reading since he was opposed to all forms of mysticism and self-proclaimed visionaries.  However, the reading selected was from Blessed Anne Catherine’s Life of the Holy Virgin, and it described our Lady’s house at Ephesus.  Those who heard the reading were familiar with the local legends about Mary’s house, and were curious to learn more, including Father Poulin.

Finding Mary's House

Sister Marie and Father Poulin were so intrigued at the possibility of finding Mary’s house that an archeological search for it was soon organized.  Father Poulin, along with another Vincentian priest, Father Henry Jung, C.M., spent months searching for the site.

After two years of diligent searching and archeological exploration, it was determined that the ruins of a small stone house, which for centuries had been venerated as Mary’s residence, was indeed her final home.  And in a further wondrous twist of fate, Fathers Poulin and Jung discovered that the original owners of the house and the entire mountain it rested on were desperately trying to sell the property.

The Purchase of Mary’s House

Upon receiving this glorious news, , Sister Marie purchased the property on November 16, 1892, using funds available to her through her family dowry.  On December 1 of the same year, the local archbishop formally declared that the ruins were truly the home inhabited by the Blessed Virgin Mary. From that day forward, and up to her death in May 1915, Sister Marie took charge of promoting, protecting, and developing the house as the Shrine to the Blessed Virgin that we know today as Meryem Anna Evi.

Sister Marie’s devotion to our Lady was so great that she touched the hearts of Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims alike, drawing all three faiths to Mary’s Shrine in peace and love of the Blessed Virgin.

By the time you read this article, we will have visited Mary’s house in Ephesus on our Miraculous Medal pilgrimage and remembered you and your intentions during our prayers there.

Read Part 1