BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – In 2015, Michelle Duppong passed away from cancer. Those who knew him say his life was a remarkable example of hope, and now the Catholic Church canonizes him as a saint.

Kenneth and Mary Ann Duppong said their daughter Michelle was like most young women her age. He loved gardening and eventually specialized in horticulture. Faith was an integral part of his life; He went on mission trips for his church through the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Even though she was a normal young woman, she touched so many people that a documentary about her life was broadcast nationwide.

In 2014, he consulted a doctor due to abdominal pain. She was told that she probably had ovarian cysts and that she should come back for a check-up in six weeks. But the pain became so terrible that he could not bear it for that long.

“He was in a lot of pain. They told him to take painkillers and he developed an ulcer,” Mary Ann said.

His doctors decided he needed outpatient surgery to treat the ulcers. But when they took him to the operating room, they encountered something very different.

“They said, ‘Oh my God, we didn’t know it was this bad,’ and her entire abdomen was full of cancer,” Mary Ann said.

Michelle was diagnosed with stage four abdominal cancer and was given a two-month life expectancy. He went from hospital to hospital to treat his disease, including the Cancer Treatment Center of America and the Mayo Clinic. His parents said he made a point of touching the lives of others experiencing similar situations. Even though the situation seemed dire, Michelle kept going and worked to encourage others, and she did so because of her faith, her family said.

“That’s how Michelle accepted it. He was confident in whatever Jesus’ plan was, and his goal was to bring as many souls as possible to Jesus,” Kenneth said.

Her family said they found a letter Michelle wrote to Jesus before she died, and they didn’t really look at it until she passed away at age 31. In it he wrote that he wanted to be “a great man.” The Saint who leads others to Jesus. He wrote: “If you take me home soon, please fill my family, my friends, and the crowds who lift me up in prayer with joy and peace, knowing that your love will win in the end.”

His family said he didn’t want others to focus solely on him.

Michelle would want this to be known. That’s why we are humble. We are ordinary people. We have problems. We have our struggles,” said Mary Ann.

They said they received more than 500 condolence cards after he passed away; Many of these were from people they didn’t know, but they said they were touched by Michelle’s kindness. People told them of his visions, followed by miraculous healings and babies being born to couples with little hope.

Michelle is currently being considered for sainthood; Her parents said it’s a process that will likely take years, but they hope her story can still give hope to others.

All three free screenings of the documentary Friday night at the Grand 22 Theater in Bismarck are sold out. However, the film will be released nationwide on November 12.

If you have a story about Michelle that you would like to share with the Church, you can submit it. Here.

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