Throughout her time in FOCUS, Duppong cultivated enduring connections that changed lives. One of these bonds was with Stephany Anderson, whom Michelle encountered while working as a missionary at South Dakota State University.

“When I became a missionary, I reflected deeply on her actions and tried to emulate them,” Anderson shared with Our Sunday Visitor. “She educated me significantly about Catholic traditions. She was the one who introduced me to praying the Liturgy of the Hours; she encouraged me to spend a Holy Hour each day with the missionaries, which fostered a longing and affection for the Eucharist.”

One of the most motivating examples Michelle provided for Anderson was how she encouraged every individual to move toward sainthood, even if that meant engaging in challenging discussions.

“She was exceptional at engaging in tough discussions with individuals for the glory of Christ and for their sanctity. I was truly inspired by that … I yearned for someone to challenge me to reach the peaks of holiness and to lead me toward my purpose. And she simply jumped right in and accomplished that,” Anderson stated.

“If she were to be a supporter of anything, I truly believe it would be a supporter of challenging discussions.”

It was amidst Duppong’s struggle with colon cancer that Anderson and others recognized the profound trust and belief that Duppong held in God.

“Her family shares this account of when the physician, who had the difficult task of conveying to her, ‘Michelle, there’s nothing we can do to treat the cancer. We cannot preserve your life,’ Michelle … simply turned to him and [inquired], ‘And how are you feeling today?’ It was an instance of kindness and grace,” Anderson remarked. “The physician stated that he had never received such a response throughout his entire career of treating cancer patients, and it was a moment that transformed his life.”

Carrying her cross

Duppong fought colon cancer for more than a year before ultimately succumbing at the age of 31. Although she was initially heartbroken by the diagnosis, Duppong decided to turn her pain into purpose and started to deepen her spiritual life.

Family and friends were motivated by her profound spiritual life during this time. Even individuals like Jessica Navin, the FOCUS spiritual formation director, who encountered Duppong only once, were moved by her immense love for the Lord and faith in His plan.

“An aspect of my role at FOCUS involves leading our prayer teams, so Michelle requested that I pray alongside her,” Navin shared with Our Sunday Visitor. “During my visit to North Dakota, I prayed with her just before her significant surgery.”

When Navin walked into Michelle’s hospital room to pray alongside her, she experienced a profound feeling of serenity. Subsequently, she recounted this moment to others, who also expressed that they sensed a feeling of tranquility during their conversations with Michelle.

“There was a nun who shared with me that she saw Michelle during her last days, and this nun had encountered many individuals suffering from cancer,” Navin mentioned. “However, she remarked that stepping into Michelle’s hospital room, being in Michelle’s company, felt akin to entering a chapel because she could feel the presence of Jesus within Michelle.”

In that meeting, Navin prayed alongside Michelle that the operation would not affect her uterus and capacity to conceive, as Michelle had always dreamed of having an extensive family. Unfortunately, the medical team had to take out Duppong’s uterus. However, in the years following Michelle’s passing in 2015, those prayers have come to fruition.

“We didn’t ask for the doctors to spare Michelle’s womb, but rather that she would have many children,” Navin mentioned. “While we were filming, I had a friend who faced difficulties in conceiving for five years, and I proposed to her, ‘How about we perform a small novena in honor of Michelle Duppong,’ and my friend became pregnant during the novena.”

“Since then, she’s shared that novena with six of her friends, all of whom have become pregnant, and I’ve passed it along to three more friends of mine, who have also become pregnant,” Navin went on. “That indicates to me that God listened to our prayer. Michelle has many children, but at times, God’s yes is even greater than the yes we might have envisioned.”

A witness for others

Three months after Wright initially learned of Duppong’s tale, it took on a refreshed significance for Wright’s spiritual journey. In May, Wright received a cancer diagnosis, and right away he started praying for Duppong’s intercession.

“Immediately following my cancer diagnosis, the initial topic my wife and I talked about was the necessity to offer the prayer that everyone is requested to say for Michelle’s cause,” Wright clarified.

Understanding Michelle’s journey, Wright realized he wished to depend on her advocacy and draw motivation from her experiences as he faced his impending fight against cancer.

“Many individuals fear pain, and they will go to great lengths to evade it. From the moment I received this diagnosis, one thing was clear to me: all forms of suffering were inevitable,” Wright remarked. “I observed how Michelle faced her suffering without resentment. She embraced her difficulties as a path to become nearer to Our Lord and as a call to deepen her love for him.”

For Anderson, the influence Duppong had on her life nearly twenty years ago still reveals itself in her everyday experiences.

“When I began my journey in discipleship with FOCUS, it altered everything,” Anderson remarked. “Michelle’s companionship was life-changing. When I reflect on Michelle, I envision the women who were part of my discipleship group along with us, and those are my closest friends even now. Michelle bestowed upon me the most precious gift because she showed me how to share life with friends, and now I hold the treasure of their friendship for all my days.”

Navin had limited engagements with Duppong. During her role as the producer of the film, she acquired significant knowledge. about Michelle’s story after numerous discussions with Michelle’s relatives and acquaintances. She left the experience motivated to seek happiness in her everyday existence.

“I truly came to understand Michelle while making this film, and she has greatly motivated me to submit to God’s will in every aspect of my life,” Navin mentioned. “I have found great encouragement in seeking her intercession because, as a FOCUS missionary, I’m aware that she comprehends the specific challenges I’m facing. Additionally, I have many people in my life battling cancer, and I believe she recognizes their hardships as well.”

With the new documentary scheduled to debut on Nov. 12, these three are optimistic that others will feel just as motivated by Michelle’s testimony and devotion to the Lord.

“I wish for those who watch the film to understand that suffering isn’t the ultimate statement in life,” Wright expressed. “That regardless of whether our burdens are minor or monumental, they are a magnificent aspect of existence, and even if they are difficult, it’s alright, since through these burdens, Our Lord will teach us, and the Lord has the ability to turn the path of suffering into something beautiful. Just consider Easter Sunday.”