MaryAnn Gardner and her husband are the founders of the Marian Mantle Group, a lay apostolate established in 2003 as an outreach to those who are hurting because someone they love is no longer a practicing Catholic. Through retreats, literature, and establishment of prayer groups both local and online, the Marian Mantle message of hope, help, and positive action, helps to bring peace to hurting hearts. Today’s presentation has been well-received in 10 dioceses and MaryAnn is becoming a frequent guest on Catholic radio. Membership has grown to include people from 39 States and 7 foreign countries. The relevance and extent of the issue of prodigal Catholics has prompted the National Apostleship of Prayer to provide the Marian Mantle Group contact information and prayer card to any who call or write asking for help with lapsed Catholic loved ones.

MaryAnn is the author of the book Through Her Eyes and Other Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary which presents the events of the rosary as seen through the eyes of the Blessed Mother, and the Prayers for Prodigals Series which consists of a rosary novena, a way of the cross, and a Parents litany—all written specifically for use by those who pray for loved ones who have left the Catholic Church. These prayers, written from the heart of a hurting mother, carry the imprimatur of her Archbishop.

MaryAnn is a former teacher and corporate communications professional, a graduate of Mount Mercy College, and a consecrated Marian Catechist. She is a wife and mother, married since 1970 to Robert. They are 19 year members of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe, KS, in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.