Our Lord, while on this earth, praised the Eternal Father with these words: “I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones.” (Matthew 11:25).
One of these little ones, Marie Corpe, entered Eternity on Thursday, February 20, at the age of 54. How fitting that Marie, who dedicated her life entirely to living and spreading the full Fatima Message, died on the Feast of Saints Jacinta and Francisco, two of the three shepherd children at Fatima to whom Our Lady revealed in 1917 the most important things for our world in modern times.
Marie was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana (near South Bend), and was the youngest of nine children. Interestingly, Marie’s maternal grandparents emigrated to the United States from a small town in southern Italy, near Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo. It was after joining Father Gruner on a pilgrimage to Italy for Padre Pio’s canonization in 2002, that Marie, already a volunteer for Our Lady’s Apostolate, came to work for The Fatima Center.
Not many people are aware that Marie had wished to enter a cloistered Carmelite monastery but was precluded from doing so by her health and age. Instead, she would follow St. Therese’s little way of spiritual childhood, in the world. Marie would discreetly do much penance, including regular fasting and abstinence. She faithfully lived out her total consecration to Our Lady, and this was visibly expressed by her trademark outfit of a blue dress and vest, along with a Holy Face Protection Cross and Miraculous Medal; later supplemented by a St. Joseph badge and other sacramentals. Marie lived locally with several other ladies who worked or volunteered for the Apostolate. They would attend Fr. Gruner’s daily Mass, as well as pray, eat, and recreate together.
Marie selflessly filled many roles at The Fatima Center. She was a secretary to Father Gruner and assisted him with his considerable correspondence. Along with another staff member, she visited bishops throughout North America and the United Kingdom in 2004 and 2005 to promote the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was often seen coordinating and assisting at Rosary rallies, besides distributing literature and sacramentals at other events such as the New York State Fair, as well as Apostolate and Catholic Family News conferences across the country, spending many hours on the road. Marie also travelled to the Apostolate’s offices in Rome and Fatima multiple times to assist with projects there, especially with resource distribution and hosting conferences. Marie would spend many hours at the airport, to cheerfully greet and help arriving bishops, priests, and other attendees to these conferences.
Marie also responded to countless queries that people submitted to the Apostolate. She regularly oversaw the care of the uncountable multitude of prayer intentions requested of Fr. Gruner and The Fatima Center, bringing them to the chapel in Father’s house and placing these at the feet of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue, or in the Center’s chapel.
Her generous hospitality to guests of the Apostolate spanned from baking to driving and everything in between. She would happily do whatever needed to be done, in a spirit of reparation to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts; and all of this, with a smile, an encouraging word, and a sincere assurance of prayer, for everyone.
Marie returned home to Indiana following Fr. Gruner’s death, but continued assisting the Apostolate remotely, returning to Fort Erie several times, and helping at various conferences across the country over the past decade.
In late 2024, Marie was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. She received Extreme Unction and the Apostolic Blessing and benefitted from many prayers thanks to requests made on the Apostolate’s website, and on social media. She died peacefully, and without pain, clothed in Our Lady’s Brown Scapular, on February 20, 2025, the 105th anniversary of the death of St. Jacinta Marto, and the liturgical Feast that the Little Shepherdess shares with her brother, St. Francisco.
Please pray for the repose of Marie’s soul. Let us imitate her example of making everything we can a sacrifice, as the Angel of Peace taught the children at Fatima, so as to hasten the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Requiescat in pace!
