Masses and Tears / Marian Mantle

Has Someone You Love Left the Church?
Masses and Tears: The Saint Monica Project

Saint Monica tearfully prayed for her son Augustine to become a Christian for 17 years without a glimmer of hope. Not only did God reward Saint Monica with the experience of seeing her son unite himself with Christ before she died, Saint Augustine eventually became one of the greatest Catholic theologians of all times, and a Doctor of the Church.

So many parents whose children have left the faith and the Catholic Church feel the pain and the hurt, they struggle with frustration and sadness. Some parents worry about the salvation of their child. Some really worry that it could be their fault somehow; something they did or didn’t do. Some have found so much joy and peace in their relationship with Christ, it pains them to see somebody they love reject Him.

Inspired by Saint Monica, Masses and Tears encourages parents to grow in devotion to and imitation of this great saint, providing a prayer for parents and a beutiful image for them to meditate upon.

To learn more and order materials, visit massesandtears.wordpress.com or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Father Jay Buhman is the founder and director.

Marian Mantle Group

Marian Mantle Silent Strength is a prayer group dedicated to helping Catholics who share the heartache experience of a loved one who is no longer a practicing Catholic.

The members strive to help one another live in peace, joining in prayer for their prodigal relatives and children. They are dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and ask her to intercede for the return of our loved ones to the practice of the Catholic Faith.

In Lincoln, the Marian Mantle Silent Strength prayer group meets twice monthly at Cathedral of the Risen Christ and St. Michael Church.

Lincoln contacts: Bob McDonald at 402-203-6947 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Cathedral) Lisa Sullivan 402-314-1711 (St. Michael).

The Cathedral group meets in Rectors Hall at 4pm on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The hour includes the Divine Mercy chaplet and a rosary, as well as petitions and other prayers. There are no dues or commitments, and the group does not record names of prodigals. Mass is celebrated at Cathedral 5 pm for those who wish to attend.

The Marian Mantle Group lay apostolate was founded by Mary Ann Gardner of Kansas. More information about the national apostolate is available at www.marianmantle.com