Spirituality

National Shrine, Winter 2003

Baptized in the Catholic church as an infant, Mattie studied for and received the sacrament of Confirmation at 8 years of age. At the age of 9,  he began serving as a Minister of the Word (Lector), reading from the Bible during weekday and Sunday Masses. A year later, he began teaching CCD (Sunday School) to 2nd graders. At age 11, he began teaching the 6th grade CCD class.

Many of Mattie’s poems and essays reflect his friendship with God.  Mattie embraced Catholicism and said that his life and spirit were strengthened by the Saints and Holy Eucharist. He also respected and studied the diverse faiths of  people around the world, believing that God creates and loves all people, and that a message of hope and peace is a gift to be offered to everyone.

Message 

“Peace is possible!” -Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Mattie believed that we are each born with a “Heartsong” — or a reason for being and a purpose in life. He shared and celebrated that “Hope is real, peace is possible, and life is worthy!” — if we each choose to embrace such truths in attitude and action, for ourselves and for our world.

Mattie’s philosophy for life was“Remember to play after every storm!” and his motto was “Think gently, speak gently, live gently.” In 2002, he shared what he called the “Three Choices for Peace” — a blue print for how to move forthward in life.

Mattie wanted to be remembered as “a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.”

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