The meaning of the name Michelle is “who resembles God”. If the Lord was born on the earth on 25 December, Michelle, a 31-year-old missionary was born in heaven on a Christmas day of 2015.
Michelle Duppong was a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students ) missionary in North Dakota. As her name shows, she was just imitating the ‘Greatest Missionary’, Lord Jesus. Now, Bishop David Kagan opened the canonization process for Michelle Duppong,
On June 15.
This announcement begins the diocesan phase (called the diocesan inquiry) of Duppong’s canonization process, which will include an in-depth review of her life. If the investigation reveals that her life was lived with “heroic virtue,” then the Diocese of Bismarck will recommend her cause to the Vatican for consideration.
Michelle’s Life
Duppong was born on 25 January 1984. Her family moved after her birth to a farm near Haymarsh, North Dakota.
After graduating from High School, she attended North Dakota State University, where she first encountered the ministry of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students).
The six years, she had worked as a missionary for FOCUS after graduating from college. She had been mentoring, “hundreds of students at the college campuses of University of Nebraska – Lincoln, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, and the University of Mary.”
Duppong then became the Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, and on “December 29, 2014, Michelle was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, which began a year-long journey that brought many joys in the midst of sorrows and suffering. She received everything with a docile spirit, praying that the Lord’s Will be done and trusting in His Providence.”
She died on Christmas Day, December 25, 2015.
Her life and example have continued to inspire many young people in their faith and have led Bishop Kagan to investigate her life, hoping to hold up her example for the whole world to see.
Let’s pray for getting a new generation of young Missionary saint to the Church whose life can inspire the coming generations.