Mattie's Spiritual Legacy
2025 0622 #PeaceMatters #MamaPeacePost
How does a mom celebrate the 21st anniversary marking the loss of her youngest child (and best friend) – while also reflecting on the important matter of her first three children’s brief lives – and have authentic reason to smile with hope in a weary world? My answer is with personal choice, with community support, and with faith in goodness and the eternal glory of what awaits us beyond our time on earth.
On Saturday, June 21, the Mattie Matters – Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild hosted a beautiful graveside memorial service at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Montgomery County, Maryland – where Mattie and my first three children, Katie and Stevies, and Jamie, are buried.
On Sunday, June 22, Mattie’s actual anniversary, the Guild joined parishioners at Holy Face Church in St. Mary’s County, Maryland for a Memorial Mass followed by a reception at Little Flower School – which has been using the “Mattie Matters – Virtue of the Month Curriculum” created by the Guild.
Although both days came with oppressive heat index warnings – old and new “friends of Mattie” gathered to honor the late teen “poet, peacemaker, and philosopher who played.” As some folks offered personal reflections of his life and legacy, others shared inspiration they have realized from his timeless and universal messages of hope and peace.
During the Saturday gathering, Fr. Jim Bocabella – Pastor of nearby Our Lady of Grace Church – talked about how Mattie lived sharing God’s love, and reminding all people of the important matter of Heartsongs and purpose within, and of the equally important matter of living with purpose in peaceful and loving ways that exemplify what Mattie called the “mosaic of humanity.”
Chuck Short, of the publication Our Parish Times, also offered remarks about how Mattie chose to “live generously” and inspires people around the world to also live and love generously – despite challenges that interrupt peace, but do not diminish purpose.
In his homily on Sunday, Fr. Scott Holmer – Pastor of Holy Face Church – talked about how an apple seed is the essence of an apple, and of a future apple tree, and thus more and more apples. Mattie, he said, understood how God within us is connected to our purpose and how we connect with others and with eternity.
Both the cemetery and church services, and also the post-Mass reception, were hosted by the Mattie Matter – Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild. The Guild is gathering and spreading information about Mattie’s spiritual life and mission in their effort to advance his possible Cause of Canonization – or sainthood – in the Catholic Church. Folks can learn more about the Guild and their work, and also share prayer intentions and requests, at www.MattieMatters.org.
As Mattie’s mom, I am grateful to all who chose to participate in either or both of these gatherings – and to Kathy Young for the origami peace cranes and to Marina Magenta for the lovely music. I am also grateful to those who remembered my son in other places and spaces, and who shared messages on social media. And, I am deeply grateful to the Guild for their perseverance in advocating for Mattie’s formal recognition by the Church so that he may continue to serve as a gift of inspiration for future generations.
And yes – while moving through “anniversary days” for Mattie and my other children is inevitably challenging, it is also a gift to know that these children existed, that they matter eternally, and that God’s love – within us and with others – can sustain us, if we choose to embrace life with grit, with grace, with gratitude – and with faith in goodness.
With peace,
Jeni Stepanek, PhD (“Mama Peace”).
Photos from the June 21 Cemetery Service
Photos from the June 22 Mass & Reception
