An Unexpected Intercession

     The following is a true story of an event that took place in Nassau County, NY. It's been well documented and verified.

     He was driving along a secondary road, on a rainy night, on his way to an appointment with his doctor. It was possible that it would be his last such appointment, for the most recent X-rays had revealed that his cancer was speeding through his body. The doctor had already told him that he had little time left, perhaps only a few days. It caused him to wonder, given that nothing could be done for a cancer so aggressive and so thoroughly metastasized, why he should continue to see a physician. Yet he went.

     His headlights lit upon an elderly man in priestly garb, walking along the side of the road. As was his habit, he stopped.

     “Father,” he said to the priest, “may I give you a lift?”

     The old priest nodded. “Please, take me to Maria Regina Church in Seaford.”

     When they were again on their way, the driver, to his own surprise, confided in the priest that he had cancer, and that it was about to take his life. “I hope you’ll pray for me, Father,” he said. “It’s all anyone can do for me now.”

     The priest shook his head. “No.” He laid a hand on the driver’s shoulder. “You’re going to be all right. You’ll see.” They arrived at the church shortly thereafter. The priest thanked the driver for his kindness and debarked, whereupon the driver continued on to his doctor’s appointment.

     The doctor was astounded at what new X-rays showed of his patient.

     “I can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s gone. The cancer’s gone!”

     The patient was dumbfounded. “Really? Completely?”

     The physician nodded. “I can’t find the smallest trace of it. I can’t explain it, but you’re cancer free. Congratulations!”

     The patient thought immediately of the old priest. How did he know?

     About a year later, the man was in a local pizzeria when another patron handed him a prayer card. The card bore a photo of the saint whose intercession was sought. The man was staggered, for the picture was of the old priest he’d picked up that night in the rain.

     The face on prayer card was that of Padre Pio. The man noted the date of his death. The old priest had died long before their encounter in the rain.

     It proved to be one of the miracles for which Padre Pio was canonized as Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, who today is greatly beloved by the Catholics of Nassau County, New York.

     May God bless and keep you all.

Your Parish Family

     The sense of isolation can be difficult to bear. Not many persons are happy when alone for long periods. When the sense of isolation arises from being the lone Catholic in a group, whether familial, occupational, social, or any other variety, it can be particularly painful.

     One resource against that sense that we could use more frequently and effectively is the parish pastor. He’s almost always in frequent contact with the parish’s most active lay members. He’s usually happy to put another parishioner in contact with them – yes, even if there’s no prospect of getting free labor out of it – because after preaching the Gospels, keeping the parish together is his primary aim.

     A parish’s lay leaders are likely to be sociable folks, naturally gregarious and well connected to what other Catholics in the region are doing. Getting acquainted with them can lead to a wealth of other acquaintances, and a deeper involvement in parish life.

     I find this to be especially valuable to persons who have been divided from their natural families by death or distance, or estranged from them by discord. Imagine the unique suffering of being utterly alone at Christmas or Easter, the two great feast days of our faith. Imagine how much healing balm a hand extended in friendship and shared belief could spread over such sorrow. It’s among the simplest and most straightforward works of mercy imaginable. Parish leaders will be inclined to offer such a hand automatically.

     When that feeling of isolation begins to creep over you, call your parish office and ask for an appointment with the pastor. When you sit down with him, don’t tell him that you don’t want to be alone. Tell him that you’d like to be better connected to parish life generally, that you might get a sense for how your personal gifts might be put to the service of others. After all, you would like that feeling of involvement, wouldn’t you?

     Just a quick thought from a Catholic who has spent far too many Advents, Lents, and holy days alone. If we’re all truly members of the Mystical Body of Christ, there’s no harm in striking up an acquaintance with a few of the other organs of that Body, now is there?