Posted on 06/17/2002 2:00:48 PM PDT by NYer
Blessings to all! I have not had the opportunity for the internet since Fatima June 13 ... We arrived in Rome June 14 and met with our group of 100 people. We are in 2 buses. There has been too much to write in the last 3 days ... so I will focus on Padre Pios Canonization ... the things I believe you will not read in the news.
First we have all been praying for the priests, and especially for the Bishops Conference in Dallas. At every Mass I continue to carry all the petitions given me (a bag full), and the rest in my heart. Logistically, managing 110 people in Rome which has 3 million in attendance has been relatively trouble free. There are some of us who are not able to keep up, and that is a grace for the rest of us to slow down and help. Last night, after 10 p.m., most of the roads surrounding the St. Peter's Square were closed to all traffic. The buses had permission to arrive only after 7am.
There were some mix ups and we had to walk one mile rather than a few blocks. The people were in groups carrying banners at the head ... and it was like being here hundreds of years ago ... marching into the Square under different associations, but all one purpose! The whole place was packed ... wall to wall people, mostly in yellow or white caps.
We had blue tickets for seating, but were unable to manage getting all the way to our spot. It was ok, as we were blessed to have reached where we were. The Holy Father spoke clearly ... and it was the usual swooosh of the Holy Spirit when he arrived! He spoke of his meeting Padre Pio, and how Padre Pio had informed him he would one day be the Pope. And now here he is canonizing the Padre Pio.
Most people of our generation will call him ST. PADRE PIO .. ST. PIO is really not being said by anyone! There were free postcards and literature given out the day before. As you entered today, there was a booklet given. I had left the rest of our group to sit with a wonderful lady ... Mary ... she was unable to take the heat, and before the Holy Father arrived we went to sit under the columns.
This was a grace for me, even just to be there at all, but to be able to be of help to this elderly woman who was recovering from a heart attack ... wow ... that was wonderful! As we sat I asked for the Holy Father to be cured of his physical infirmities. There was a couple from Malta who translated the Holy Fathers words for us. WOW!!! According to her, the Holy Father said that when we suffer in silence, it is the greatest merit, even more merit than saying the rosary.
You lose all merit when you complain, so keep your suffering to yourself. There is much more, but I'm running out of time on the internet.
All I can say from my heart is that this was like being at the ordination of a priest. It was the same feeling for me, it was the same overwhelming grace felt with all senses. Many graces! Then Mass begins ... and I was so far away, and knew that receiving Communion at an event like this would be nearly impossible. I sincerely was grateful to be of service to Mary in her infirmity, but longed to be able to receive Jesus. I also wanted to have a rose petal from the altar procession. All this was not possible.
Then while in prayer, Mary pointed to a Capuchin priest who came over to us, and he gave me Communion, and Mary too. It was amazing ... Jesus came to meet us where we are at. This is true for all of us, wherever you are at Jesus will come to meet you, if you desire him with your whole heart. After the people began leaving, another gift. There were two ladies passing by who had many flowers. They were Italian ... and the long story short is that they yelled at me for asking for a flower, and then when I asked for one petal (pointing to my silk flower on my lapel), she changed, and instead of giving me a petal ....I have a whole flower with many blooms ... enough to share with others.
We also saw St. Padre Pio, but that will have to wait for another day.
So, this Father's Day, Our Lord allowed us to give honor to one of his most loved and suffering servant fathers. Among all fathers in the priesthood this was the only one recognized with the stigmata ... usually this suffering love is given to women ... but to this priest, this father, this man who loved Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament sooooo much!
Oh, and that is the most amazing part ... I honestly believe that everyone there who desired to receive Jesus, did! The efforts put forth by the priests to reach us all were definitely Pio.... St. Padre Pio. Pio's brother Capuchins have said that he will be known as the Patron of Eucharistic Adorers, and that he will be a Doctor of the Church one day.
But, then after all this, I was able to find the Church of the Holy Spirit with St. Faustina Sisters and a special shrine of Divine Mercy ... and it was 3 p.m. when we began to sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet in Italian ... and then Mass in Spanish. I just must be the most blessed Eucharistic Apostle of Divine Mercy this day!!!!!!! I pray God will pour out on you all the graces my little heart cannot contain, and let you know that HE loves you so much. He would have come down and endured Calvary for you, not all of us but each of us, you are so loved.
In His Heart,
Mary
How truly awesome!!
St. Padre Pio, pray for us.
Glory to God in the Highest!
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