I received this picture below and link from my friend Ed (his blog link is below). The picture of the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine above reminds me when I went there back about 10 years ago and my own "little miracle." I was invited by a prayer group that I moderated in New York to go to the Shrine to celebrate Padre Pio Day. I was going through some difficulties with my diaconate at the time and was in between being assigned a parish. I had not assisted as a deacon at Mass for quite a while and never expected what happened at the Shrine. So I accepted the invite and free bus ride! It was a pleasant trip to New Jersey and we sang and prayed the Rosary. It reminded me of the many bus trips to Washington D.C. that we made with my wife & kids, only this time it wasn't winter, but a beautiful day.
Anyway, to make this a short story, somhow I was invited by the Shrine director to assist as deacon at the Mass that was celebrated in honor of Padre Pio and officiated by a bishop and many, many priests. What a miracle to lift my spirits! They even supplied me with an alb, stole and dalmatic, which matched the Bishops chasable!
I did all the parts of the Mass that a deacon does, even proclaiming the Gospel. And I also assisted with distributing Holy Communion. There were thousands of faithful there that day from many different Dioceses.
All I could say was "Thank You Jesus & Mary for this gift, which was truly a "little miracle!"
Deacon John
Look at the Sun
Photo of the Sun at the Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in New Jersey. Taken on October 13, 2008.
Posted by Ed at 12:23 PM www.ingodscompany2.blogspot.com
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