Jesus, I Trust in You: What Christy Taught Me
In the final moments of my daughter Christina’s life, God conveyed a message to me through her that still resonates in my heart to this day. It all began in 2012, when Christy received her cancer diagnosis and was given an image of the Divine Mercy with the words “Jesus, I trust in You” inscribed on it. That small gift became her daily strength and, over time, an inspiration for our family and for thousands of people who followed her Facebook posts during her five years of battle.
For Christy, saying “Jesus, I trust in You” was not just a phrase or a mantra; it was the certainty that, despite the pain and uncertainty, God had a perfect plan for her. She accepted her illness with complete surrender, embracing the cross of her cancer without question. As a mother, witnessing that complete trust taught me to look beyond fear and draw closer to Divine Mercy, delving into the promises Jesus made to Saint Faustina: that those who trust and pray the novena receive His love and grace, even in the most difficult moments.
In the most challenging moments of my life, I close my eyes and, like Christy, open the eyes of my soul to repeat from the depths of my heart: “Jesus, I trust in You.” I remember how intense her devotion was—so much so that one day she asked me the exact time of her birth, 3:40 p.m., to see if she had been born during the Hour of Mercy. Her excitement was so deep that I could hardly comprehend how important that direct connection with Jesus was to her.
One of the most profound moments of my life occurred during Christy’s final minutes. As I prayed the Divine Mercy novena in the early hours for the first time, I told her that God was waiting for her, that she could go peacefully into His arms, and that I would be okay. She opened her eyes and looked at me with a peace that transcended everything, conveying in just a few seconds a love that could only come from heaven. Then she closed them, and in that instant I understood that she had fulfilled her mission: to draw thousands of hearts closer to God and to teach, through her life, the power of faith and total surrender. I also realized that my mission was only just beginning….
The greatest legacy Christy left me is to say “Jesus, I trust in You.” That trust reminds us that God has a plan for each of us and that, by opening our hearts to His will, His love and mercy can reach others. This teaching not only transformed my life but also the lives of those of us who follow Christy’s example and are inspired by her devotion to Divine Mercy.
Today, through Build the Faith, the organization Christy co-founded, we continue to share that message. Every project—from building churches to creating spaces for prayer and retreats—is carried out guided by God’s will, seeking to touch lives and strengthen the faith of families around the world. The work of Build the Faith reflects God’s love and Christy’s teaching: when we fully trust in Jesus, His mercy transforms our pain into hope and guides us to impact those around us.
For me, saying “Jesus, I trust in You” means opening my heart every day, accepting God’s plan even when I don’t understand it, and trusting completely that His love always sustains me. It means that even amid pain, I can find peace, strength, and direction. It is the force that allows me to keep going, to transform my own heart, and, through my life and work, touch the lives of others with love and mercy. For me, this phrase is more than faith; it is the certainty that God always acts with love and purpose, and that every step I take guided by Him has a profound meaning.
Thank you, Christy, for your love and your faith, and for showing us the face of Jesus. Jesus, I trust in You.
Monica Lacouture was born and raised in Colombia, South America. She moved to the United States in 1995, where she and her husband, Fernando, married and were blessed with three children—Daniel, David, and Christina, whose unwavering faith became the inspiration behind Build the Faith.
Although raised Catholic and educated in parochial schools, Monica describes much of her adult life as that of a “lukewarm” Catholic. That changed unexpectedly in late 2012 when she attended a retreat and had a profound personal encounter with Jesus. She had no idea at the time how much she would come to rely on this renewed faith just three months later, when her daughter Christina was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Throughout Christina’s battle, Monica’s faith deepened, sustained by her daughter’s extraordinary trust in Jesus. In 2016, inspired by Christina’s unwavering faith, Monica and Fernando founded Build the Faith. As President of the organization, Monica feels blessed to carry forward Christina’s legacy, spreading faith and hope to others.
