Several years ago, after boarding a flight to a well-known domestic destination, fastening my seatbelt, and ensuring my tray table and seat were in the locked and upright position, I noticed during and after take-off that the young woman sitting next to me was anxious and disturbed.
After a simple “Hello,” I judged by her body language and the way she returned my greeting that she wanted nothing to do with a middle-aged man dressed in priestly garb. Before going on, let me be clear; the following as described has nothing to do with me personally, but everything to do with the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the office of the priesthood.
After sensing trouble in the soul of the young woman sitting next to me, I remember feeling sadness inside, and wondered what could be done during this brief flight. Thankfully, the baggage screeners didn’t mind I was ‘packing heat’- carrying a rosary. Some Catholics, like religious sisters carry them on their belts, visible to others around them which make them fast on the draw. I, like many others, carry mine in a ‘holster’ or a rosary pouch, truly concealed in my pocket. Since they are useless unless they are ‘un-holstered,’ and used, I pulled mine out and started to say a rosary for her as she kept looking down or out the window.
After reciting the rosary I turned to her and asked, “Did you notice that I said a rosary?” “Yes,” she replied. “I prayed it for you.” I said. After this, the flood gates opened and the tears started to flow. After a few moments of flood control, she told me she was a Catholic and opened the door to her soul, revealing the skeletons inside, including the one big one that was the source of the majority of her pain and sorrow. After a few moments, the closet of her soul was cleaned out as I recited the words of absolution, “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!” It was then that tears of joy replaced the tears of sorrow. After a few words of spiritual advice on prayer and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, we parted ways.
For those who have not received this powerful sacrament for some time and for those who regularly receive it, I recommend a beautiful little booklet, which costs only a dollar, available at most parishes in the diocese and at our Chancery called, “The Little Catechism on Confession.” In it are sections on the love of God, the nature of sin, why Jesus started confession to a priest including scriptural passages relating to its origin, a useful examination of conscience and much more. Since Lent has started, it is a wonderful time to pick one up and read this short but useful aid. Let us remind ourselves that since confession is a sacrament, we receive God’s grace or Divine Life inward every time we receive it. This is why Blessed Mother Teresa received it weekly. Let us all imitate her for the same reason, for the forgiveness of sins and the reception of God’s graces. Let us also not forget to recite the most holy rosary daily. My prayer is that you have a blessed Lent and glorious Easter!
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