Kathy Martin ONeil - Madre: The Nun Who Was Mother to the Orphans of Honduras

The elements of this book highlight the admirable work of a woman who embraced the crucifix and worked to show the face of God in the midst of her every work. I hope that the life and works of this servant of the Lord serve as an inspiration for every Christian and person of good will who feels called to do good for a more just society.

Cardinal scar Andrs Rodriguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., Archbishop of Tegucigalpa

This is a powerful story of one womans exploration of the deepest desires in her heart and their connection to the needs and challenges of the world. As Kathy Martin ONeil guides us through the extraordinary journey of Sister Mara Rosa, she also enlightens the way God meets us in the ordinary moments of our own journeys. In the process, she helps us trust the unique calling of each and every person and the mission to be witness to light and hope amidst the darkness of the world.

Father Daniel Groody, C.S.C., Vice President and Associate Provost at the University of Notre Dame, editor of A Promised Land, A Perilous Journey: Theological Perspectives on Migration andauthor of Globalization, Spirituality & Justice: Navigating a Path to Peace

Even if I had never known Sister Mara Rosa, this book conveys her so well as creative, prayerful, funny, faith-filled, genuinely caring, determined (occasionally called stubborn), and hospitable to us Norteamericanos, on whom she made a huge impact.

Father Jeffrey Godecker, founder of the Honduras outreach mission at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Indianapolis

Sister Mara Rosa Leggol was Gods rebel, with an ability to turn the impossible into reality. She cared for more children than her Board of Directors told her she could cope with, she saved children of mothers suffering deep psychiatric problems, she nursed malnourished and unloved children back to health. No one could say no to this extraordinary Honduran nun. Kathy Martin ONeil has talked to many volunteers who came down to Honduras on a weeks volunteer mission and remained close to Sister Mara Rosa for decades thereafter, becoming advisors, spiritual boyfriends, and godparents of countless Honduran children. I am one of them. On a cold January morning in 1982, I went to Sister Mara Rosa for advice. My husband and I had been married for 7 years and had failed to produce a child. Filled with understanding, she listened and made a call to the clinic. A few hours later I took home an 8-month-old bundle, Marina. The two U.S. congressmen staying at our home ran out to buy a cloth donkey and elephant, representing their respective political parties. Over the next 11 years, Sister Mara Rosa transferred her care of several children to us. We remain proud to support Gods rebel, who rode her Holy Spirit over a deep, dark lake of poverty and needcommitted to the lifelong battle to bring hope and dignity to the poor.Diana Negroponte

In Madre, Sister Mara Rosas life story offers us a roadmap for following Gods will in our lives. Her mission to save at-risk children motivates us in the same way as Mother Teresa, who said, Holiness consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. This book will bring a smile to your face many times as it helps you accept and follow Gods will for your life!

Doctor Chuck Dietzen, founder of Timmy Global Health and author of Pint-Sized Prophets: Inspirational Moments That Taught Me We Are All Born To Be Healers

Copyright 2022 Kathy Martin ONeil

Published in the United States of America by Cornelia Avenue Press

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any manner without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. To request permission, email permissions@corneliaavenuepress.com.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7377263-0-2

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7377263-1-9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021915974

First print edition, 2022

First ebook edition, 2022

Cover design: Peter Selgin

Cover photograph: David Mangurian

Editor: Greg Cliburn

Excerpt of Intelligence Reframed, by Howard Gardner (New York: Basic Books, 1999) reprinted by permission of the author.

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You are the light of the world. A city built on the top of a mountain cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

Sister Mara Rosa Leggol (1926-2020) has been the most recognized religious person in Honduras. This is due to all the projects she has carried out in favor of orphaned and abandoned children. She said that she asked the Lord always for light, strength, power and intelligence. She did not ask to be famous or recognized, but to be able to visualize how each person could be changed, improved and illuminated through the light, joy, mercy and love of the Lord.