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Philadelphia, Pa., Aug 19, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AuroraPomalesstillremembersthefeelingsafterhergrandmotherdied.
Thegriefwasrealanddisorienting.Afterall,itwashergrandmotherwhohadtaughtherhowtopray,howtolovetheMass,andhowtobeCatholic,evenaftersheherselfhadpulledawayfromtheChurch.
“Irememberwakingupandthinking,OK,”Pomalessaid.“Ineedtogotoconfessiontoday.Ineedtostartprayingmyrosary.IneedtostartgoingtoMass.”
ThatquietdecisionmarkedthebeginningofherreturntotheCatholicfaith—aprocessthatwouldeventuallyleadhertocreateaministryaimedatservinganoften-overlookedpopulation:singleCatholicwomen.
BlessedEmilina,theministryPomalesfounded,isnamedafteralittle-known12th-centuryFrenchsaint,EmilinaofBoulancourt,whoisthepatronessofsingleCatholiclaywomen.Theministrywascreatedspecificallyforwomenwhoaresingle,notmarriedorengaged,notinreligiouslife,butwhoarenonethelessstrivingtolivefullyforChrist.
Pomales’inspirationcamefromherlivedexperience.AsasinglewomantryingtoreturntotheCh
