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When I first came to Madonna House last year, it smelled super-bad outside. However, before going there, I had known I would love Madonna House, so I thought, “Okay, I can put up with this.”
When I had the guts to inquire about the awful smell, I found out it was only temporary. It was due to the annual flip-over of the compost pile. I experienced this for myself because working on the compost pile was the first job given to me!
Despite this humbling work, I returned to Madonna House three times. I could really find the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at Madonna House and not just through their routine of Lauds, work, spiritual reading, guest classes, the rosary, Mass, spiritual direction, and Eucharistic Adoration. I also felt it through the staff and guests. The presence of Christ is even in the atmosphere.
The staff are very welcoming and include the guests in the conversations at their family-style meals. They ask, “Where are you working today?” and “How are you this morning?”
I could tell that their interest in me was genuine because they took the time to ask me these things. And if I was having a bad day, they did not pry. They left me in peace so I could be who I was that day.
Madonna House is such a unique and special place, a place where I felt I could be myself. It is such a healing place. I didn’t have to hide and cover up who I really am. I didn’t need to put on a happy act. Every time I returned, I felt a little less broken.
During my last stay at Madonna House, my spiritual director said to me during confession, “Try your best imperfection.” That really stuck with me because I felt he was saying that I do not have to be perfect all the time and look like I have everything all together. Who I am is okay.
I also feel that this article doesn’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to use fancy, academic language. I prayed about the words and wrote according to how the Holy Spirit led me.
I would like to thank all the Madonna House staff and the guests who I have encountered for everything, and I would like to thank whoever reads this article. I will continue to pray for all of you!
