A Diagnosis That Marked a Childhood
In 2005, at just six years old, Molly Modes was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a chronic kidney disease with a severe prognosis. Despite undergoing multiple treatments and clinical trials, her health continued to deteriorate, facing an uncertain future where loss of kidney function and a possible transplant were high probabilities.
The First Pilgrimage: A Hope in Lourdes
In 2007, invited by members of the Order of Malta of Michigan, Molly, then 8 years old, traveled with her mother to the Marian sanctuary of Lourdes, France. This place, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette in 1858, is known for its waters and as a pilgrimage center where many seek comfort and healing. The Order of Malta, faithful to its charism of service to the sick (or «malades»), organizes these pilgrimages annually to attend to their physical and spiritual needs.
A Path Towards Improvement
After returning from Lourdes, the improvement in Molly’s health was not immediate, but over time her disease went into remission. She was able to progressively reduce medication and, against statistics, preserved her original kidneys without needing a transplant. Today, at 26 years old, she lives with controlled chronic kidney disease, requiring only semiannual medical check-ups.
The Circle Completes: From «Malade» to Servant
Seventeen years later, Molly Modes returned to Lourdes in April of this year, but in a completely different role. After affiliating with the Order of Malta in 2023 and graduating as a nurse, she returned to serve and accompany sick children on the same pilgrimage that once welcomed her. «It was a full-circle experience in many ways,» Modes stated, highlighting the special connection of being able to help children of a similar age to when she first visited.
A Life Dedicated to Care
The experience of her illness and the youth pilgrimage deeply marked her vocation. Molly Modes currently works as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, dedicating her professional life to helping children facing health challenges. Her faith, strengthened by the intercession of the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernadette—whom she chose as her confirmation name—continues to be the pillar of her service.
Original source: www.infocatolica.com (published May 25, 2024)
Photo: Bruna Frias on Unsplash
