Last night's gathering of Our Lady Fatima Prayer Group was very emotional, yet invigorating and filled with hopeful anticipation. One of our regular members - "Auntie Lita" - recently learned that a cancer she had returned after she was in remission for 18 months. Heartfelt prayers were offered for healing and I ask readers to please pray for her, too.
In addition, we were thrilled to have new visitors join us - two high school-aged nieces of our hosts - and they genuinely seemed to have taken the prayer meeting to heart, which gave me a tremendous sense of hope in regards to our generally misguided youth. We prayed that the spiritual seeds that were planted in their hearts will take root and bear much positive fruit in their young lives... and perhaps, we'll see them again soon.
Our Saint of the Month also left an impression on us. For January, I chose to share about Bl. Maria Repetto (d. 1890), a little-known Italian nun from Genoa, who served as her convent's humble doorkeeper. I love her "brand" of holiness because it's the type that any one of us can easily aspire to. Bl. Maria attained sanctity through the consistent practice of charity and love, fortified by a deep prayer life, which she joyfully displayed towards the Genoese community; sometimes it was through the simple act of lending an ear to their concerns... or offering a prayer on their behalf; little gestures that eventually added up to a lasting legacy of holiness. Very inspirational!
Lastly, encouraged by Bl. Maria Repetto's strong devotion to St. Joseph - who she often turned to for help and obtained many remarkable cures on behalf of others - I took the opportunity to also bring my ministry's relic of St. Joseph's cloak to pay the foster-father of Christ special honor. It was only recently that I developed a deep devotion to this Saint... but I've quickly learned why so many holy people in the Church loved him - good ol' St. Joseph is not only a great role-model for all of us, but he is also a powerful intercessor before the throne of God (seriously, he is... ask him for help and you'll see it for yourself!).
Holy Relics on display during our Rosary Prayer Meeting:
St. Joseph ("Ex Pallio"/Cloak) & Bl. Maria Repetto ("Ex Ossibus/Bone)
After the prayers ended, the evening continued with our usual potluck and an impromptu, friendly game of cards (Trumps!), which added to our lighthearted celebration. Our members left the Gruber home with a large measure of peace, despite the news of our member's affliction... and looking forward to our Christian fellowship at the next month's meeting.
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