Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Jessica Hanna, Catholic Mother Who Chose Life Amid Cancer Battle, Dies

Posted on April 12, 2024 in: News

Jessica Hanna, Catholic Mother Who Chose Life Amid Cancer Battle, Dies

Jessica Hanna, a Catholic mother of four and pro-life advocate who chose to forgo cancer treatments for the sake of her unborn child, died on April 6, her family has announced.

Her husband, Lamar, shared the news of her passing on her Instagram account, where she went by the handle @blessed_by_cancer. 

“At 8:02 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, my beautiful bride Jessica peacefully went to her eternal reward,” Lamar Hanna wrote. “She received extreme unction and the apostolic pardon from Father Canon Sharpe [on] Thursday. On Saturday she was very peaceful, and surrounded by her loving family, she breathed her last. The cancer was just too aggressive. She suffered joyfully and without fear in her last days. Please keep our family in your prayers.”

In 2022, Hanna joined “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” to share her pro-life testimony. Two years before, while 14 weeks pregnant with her youngest son, Thomas, she received a breast cancer diagnosis. Several doctors advised her to have an abortion, but she declined.

After undergoing surgery, she was told the tumor was 13 centimeters, while cancer was also found in 43 lymph nodes in the area. Due to her pregnancy, doctors could not scan the rest of the body to see if the cancer had spread.

A devout Catholic, Hanna turned to her faith for support during the trial. She had a special devotion to Blessed Father Solanus Casey. During her battle with breast cancer while pregnant, she prayed at Casey’s Detroit-area tomb after each chemotherapy treatment. 

After she gave birth, her scans came back clear, with no signs that her cancer had spread to any other organs or lymph nodes, which she attributed to the intercession of Casey. However, in 2022, the cancer returned, this time as stage 4. 

Social media created community of faith around cancer battle

At the time of her diagnosis, Hanna had felt God was calling her to something. Unsure of her own future, she made a social media account two days after her diagnosis to share her journey with others and create a prayer community where she could pray with her followers and offer up her suffering for their intentions. 

“I thought no suffering should ever go to waste,” Hanna told “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly.” “I don’t know where God is taking me. Is he going to take me to the path where I need to show people how to die gracefully, with his grace and mercy? Or is he going to show a miracle?”

“I decided to use the social media to show people that no matter what you think is going to happen, it’s trust in God that is the most important … That you are going to abandon your own desires and wants and you’re going to leave it at the foot of the cross and let him take care of it.”

Over the years, Hanna’s Instagram account grew to more than 45,000 followers. It was here that she shared updates on her health, prayed for others who reached out to her with intentions, and showed her followers what it means to offer up your sufferings and suffer graciously. 

On March 29 she wrote: “I’m here, in my Good Friday. During this Lent I have experienced emergency heart issues resulting in a drain and then surgery around the heart. I went from the ICU to the regular floor with more surgery on my lung and many other complications.”

“The difference between [my Good Friday] and that of Jesus’ is that I indeed deserve my time here walking to Calvary and he certainly did not,” she wrote. “In fact, it was my sins that led to many of his excruciating pains. For myself, my suffering is an offering given back to him not only to atone for the crimes I committed in my life but also to cooperate with the body of Christ to offer atonement for others as well.” 

“If I was bold enough to commit such crimes of sin in my life, I should also be bold enough to accept my penance,” she wrote. 

“However, be sure to remember — with every Good Friday comes an Easter Sunday,” she pointed out. “With death comes resurrection — Christ made it so.”

Hanna leaves behind her husband and their four children.

 

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

 

This article was originally published by Catholic News Agency on April 8, 2024.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

A Prayer for Mother's Day

Posted on May 08, 2025 in: News, Reflections

9443

A Prayer for Mother's Day
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we pause to honor the women who have given us life, love, and unwavering faith. Whether they are with us or have gone before us into eternal life, mothers hold a sacred place in our hearts. In their daily sacrifices, quiet strength, and generous love, we see a reflection of God’s own care and compassion. We invite you to join us in prayer for all mothers—past, present, and future. A Mother’s Day Prayer Heavenly Father, We thank You for the gift of mothers, through whom Your love is revealed in so many ways. Bless...

Read More

Inauguration on May 18: Vatican Releases Official Schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s First Days
The Vatican Press Office released the official schedule of initial engagements over the coming weeks for Pope Leo XIV. Here are the key dates: Immediate appointments     Saturday, May 10: Meeting with cardinals     Sunday, May 11: Regina Caeli prayer from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica     Monday, May 12: Meeting with worldwide press First formal engagements     Friday, May 16: Reception of diplomatic corps (heads of mission)     Sunday, May 18: Inaugural Mass f...

Read More

'Peace be with all of you': Pope Leo XIV Greets the Faithful and the World, Invoking Peace
Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica: Greetings to Rome and to the world Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Ris...

Read More

Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy was ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich, Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. The gathering filled the cathedral for the Mass of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Reidy, who comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was vicar general. Pope Francis appointed Reidy as Sixth Bishop of Norwich in February.   Click here to see a photo gallery of the Ordination   Click here for more information about Bishop Reidy   Video of the compl...

Read More

U.S. Native Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost Elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV
"Peace be with all of you!" - the first words of Pope Leo XIV.   The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. Annuntio vobis gaudium: HABEMUS PAPAM Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romane Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV   I announce to you a great joy: WE HAVE A POPE The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Robert Francis Cardinal...

Read More

Who are the Cardinals Who Chose the New Pope?
Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA   Members of the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome in anticipation of the subsequent election of Pope Francis’ successor, Leo XIV.  There are currently 252 cardinals, 133 of whom are eligible and expected to vote in the conclave. They range in age from 45 to 99.  Pope Francis chose 149 of the current members of the college, most of whom helped choose his successor as cardinal el...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
The Diocese of Norwich Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with Confirmation of Reorganization Plan
Knights of Columbus Council 6107 Supports Local Special Needs Programs with $2,000 Donation
The Promise of the Ascension
St. Rita of Cascia: Patroness of the Impossible- Feast Day May 22
A Prayer for Memorial Day
Memorial Day Cemetery Mass Schedule
A Papacy Begins: Pope Leo XIV Calls for United Church at Inaugural Mass
Bishop Reidy Thanks the Faithful and Invites All to Pray a Pentecost Novena
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294