The hospice vigils truly transcend. This morning a telephone call guided me to the elderly care Center of St Mary and Joseph, a facility founded by the Sisters of the Poor. It is another marvelous encounter. God is good and all giving. The patient was Catholic beyond belief. The room was adorned with beautiful images: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Divine Mercy St Joseph, Immaculate Heart of Mary. Catholic literature everywhere. A Crucifix standing proud. Walking to the room, I passed the chapel as mass was beginning. Seating myself with the patient, we preceded to watch the center’s Mass on her room television. As the Mass advanced in the Eucharistic celebration, just before the dispensing of the Host, two staff members entered the room in order to tend to the patient. At first I found the intrusion bothersome. Then as I stood in the hallway I grasped the reality I could walk down the hall and receive communion. It all seemed perfect. After Mass, digesting the Eucharist, a sister from the order entered the room detailing the patient’s life. She was an amazing woman, a gifted piano player, experiencing years of missionary work in Chile, a devout and advanced Catholic throughout her life. It dawned on me I can practice my Spanish with her. Tomorrow I will spend four more hours with her. I will pray a rosary in Spanish. She taught Spanish in school. What a thrill. I have been practicing. God blessed me with the perfect opportunity to exercise. A resident, a prayerful woman, sat with me throughout the visit. Together we prayed a Rosary. EWTN played throughout the visit a prayer service by Pope Francis and the biography of Mother Angelica filling our time with meaning. I found a thought of Pope Francis powerful. He stressed that every individual is held in the teeth of God. The mercy and love of God holding every one firm. A little scary, yet Wow! God please do not bite down, as in truth, you most likely should.
Apr022016