A prayer for Mark

 

Since my Father's death, nearly 8 months ago, my Stepmom Nancy has taken some time to heal and also selflessly help take care of my niece and nephew to fill her days.

 

She is in Italy now. Taking a well-deserved and much needed trip. She has been communicating via text message and suffice it to say this is a trip she will not soon forget. Who am I kidding? This is a trip she will never forget.

 

The following is a text message she sent to my sister, Katie.

 

September 27:
Back on the bus. One of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life. Had to climb a killer hill to get to the Archbishops residence. Waited in a reception room and he walks in. You could just feel that this was a holy man. He was wonderful.
Stayed with us for quite awhile talking and teaching us at the s...

ame time. Most of the women were crying halfway into it and even some of the men. Then he blessed us all. Then he offered to pose for pictures with us so I have that. As he was leaving and waving to us he reached out and took my hand! Oh Katie! I can't even describe that feeling. After he left we were to tour the rest of the house. I held back for a few moments to purchase some rosaries from a little nun there. Then I spotted devotional candles and thought I'd get one to bring home but the nun asked me if I wanted to light it and place it in their chapel. I instantly decided to do that and lit it for dad. I went in the chapel and was almost sobbing and I had to place it on the floor because the holders were full. Then I hurried to catch up to the group and took a bunch of pictures. Got to Pope John's bedroom which has all his furniture set up as it was in the Vatican when he died. The archbishop had told us to be sure and touch the bed because that was the bed he died in. As I was touching it another nun was telling us various stories about him and about when he died. I was crying through the whole thing along with some of the other women. He had said as he was dying that this bed was his altar and he offered himself as the victim for the unity of mankind. Wow, Fr Ken lost it a little at that one. As we left the bedroom I asked Gabriella to translate for the nun that I lit the candle for dad and had to set it on the floor and I wanted to be sure it would be safe there and not get too hot. Gabriella had tears as she told the nun. The nun goes to a desk and gets a slip of paper and a pen and tells me to write dads name and my prayer, my wish for him and I would then put it under the pillow on the bed!!! I don't know how I got through the writing of that prayer but I did. Then she took me back in the room and I put it under the pillow! I was openly sobbing by this point and Gabriella and a couple of the women helped me outside and as we got out there the sun was going down and the sky was golden! I can't even put it into words-I'm just feeling right now. Love you-more later or tomorrow.

 

How can you not get goosebumps thinking of that? How surreal is that experience? How blessed are we?

 

Dad, I miss you every single day. Love,

Carrie Ann