A Mother's love, at long last

Michele Morris and her husband, Eric. “Our Lady has untied so many knots and healed so many wounds,” Michele says.

In contemplating Christ’s love and patience in His sufferings, Michele decided, “I want to love like that.” Jesus’ example and grace have enabled Michele to forgive her mother, an experience she compares with “shackles coming off.”  “Some families have trauma that gets passed down,” she says. “Mine stops with me. Praise God.” 

By Marian Friedrichs

Michele Morris did not grow up with a perfect mother. But, after a long journey that ultimately brought her on pilgrimage to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, she has one now.

Born into a well-to-do family in upstate New York, Michele appeared to have a normal childhood. Behind closed doors, however, those years were “horrific” for her. For many years, Michele’s mother refused to acknowledge the abuse, although she openly admitted to Michele that she had tried to self-abort her and had, through a doctor, aborted her younger sibling.

As an adult, Michele learned to suppress the anguish of her childhood. She married her husband Eric in 1989, was blessed with her daughter Natalie in 1998, and pursued a career she enjoyed while her small family moved around the world, following Eric’s military assignments.

A new direction
In 2007, Eric was stationed in Florida, and Michele was working as a consultant for several organizations. One night, driving home from work, Michele told God, “I can’t do it anymore. With all my accomplishments and everything I’ve done in the world, I’m done.” 

The response was not long in coming. As Michele prepared to exit the highway, she clearly discerned that God was urging her to turn right instead of left as she usually did. Michele complied, not knowing where she was going, and after making the turn, saw St. John the Baptist Catholic Church ahead of her, with a large sign announcing “RCIA Question and Answer Night.”

Michele parked, walked inside, and told the RCIA volunteers, “I want to be Catholic right now.”

Of course, Michele did not become Catholic right then, but she did so at the next Easter Vigil. Natalie, watching the catechumens receive Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation, told her mother that she wanted to become Catholic, too. A year later, she did. Eric did the same the following year, and he and Michele received the Sacrament of Matrimony at the end of that Easter Vigil Mass.

Mother of Mercy
Together with the Church and the Sacraments, God gave Michele another gift: a new mother. Michele’s mother never apologized to her or demonstrated any remorse or regret. Michele still carried “a yearning for a mother’s love” that did not seem likely to be fulfilled.

Not long after becoming Catholic, Michele happened to “come across some Marian prayers” and decided to pray them, telling Our Lady, “I’m just going to love you the best I can.” That step of faith led to a deep, loving relationship with Mary that satisfied Michele’s longing for a mother at last.

“Our Lady has untied so many knots and healed so many wounds,” Michele says.

As God filled Michele’s need for maternal love through His mother, He has filled her need for mercy through His Son. After learning about the Divine Mercy devotion, Michele asked the pastor at her current parish in Oklahoma to start a monthly Divine Mercy Holy Hour, which he did.

In June 2025, Michele and Natalie made a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.

“I didn’t want to leave,” says Michele.

In contemplating Christ’s love and patience in His sufferings, Michele decided, “I want to love like that.” Jesus’ example and grace have enabled Michele to forgive her mother, an experience she compares with “shackles coming off.” 

God made Michele’s healing more complete when she saw a video about a former abortionist and realized that he was probably the one who had killed her sibling. The doctor is now pro-life.

“Some families have trauma that gets passed down,” Michele says. “Mine stops with me. Praise God.” 
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