Adam went on to share how his father became ill with cancer when Adam was in third grade. Although initially too young to fully comprehend what was happening, as the illness progressed and constant care was required, reality set in. It was heartbreaking to see his father suffer.
“During this time, I leaned on my faith more than ever,” Adam wrote. “I prayed to God and turned to Mary for comfort. Mary, who suffered immensely as she watched her own Son endure pain, became a source of inspiration for me.” Mary’s constant faith, regardless of the circumstances, gave him strength.
When his father passed, the sadness and emptiness lingered. He said his faith in God and Mary’s example sustained him.
“Hope didn’t mean pretending that everything was fine, it meant trusting that God would guide me through my pain and that He had a plan for my family and me,” he wrote.
The experience helped him realize the power of his witness to faith and enkindled a desire to help others who are struggling. He wrote, “By listening, offering encouragement, and reminding others that they are not alone, I can share the hope that carried me through my darkest moments.”
He said Mary’s immutable faith reminded him God is always present. He concluded, “Her journey as a pilgrim of hope has encouraged me to continue trusting in God’s plan, even when it is difficult for me to comprehend. My experience with loss has taught me that hope is not about avoiding hardships, but about facing them with faith. By holding on to that hope, I can be a source of light for others, just as Mary has been for me.”
Adam is using the $1,000 scholarship to continue his Catholic education at Bishop Moore Catholic High School next year. Asked how he felt about winning first place he said, “Being a winner to me is a path to lifelong accomplishments. This is just the beginning of my career and the continuation of my faith in God and Mother Mary, strengthening every day. A winner is much more than just a title, but an action which keeps me motivated to always work above and beyond.”
The annual Marian Essay Contest was established through The Catholic Foundation’s Father Frank X. Zammit Endowment Fund to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Mother and better understand their own role as disciples and stewards of God’s grace. This year, a record-breaking 448 faith-filled entries were submitted from middle school students explaining how we can be pilgrims of hope and trust God, like Mary. The Marian Essay Contest is open to fifth- to eighth graders enrolled in a diocesan Catholic school, parish faith formation or a youth ministry program.
To read Adam’s essay and learn about the other winners and those receiving honorable mention, go to https://cfocf.org/mariancontest/
By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, June 13, 2025
