Mother

12 September 2015

St Jean Pied de Port, France

Mother

If I was to describe my time in Medjugorie, Croatia it would be as a prayer carried upon one soft and long low note of a cello.  It was as if a bow was continuously drawn against that deep single note allowing it to penetrate deeper and deeper into the soul.  Every holy site visited had the same note of utmost holiness and soul gripping reverence. It didn’t matter the number of people around. Everyone stared in deep reverence. Here are places that graced me.

I hiked up a 1.5 km trail to Apparition Hill. This is the location where the Blessed Mother appeared to the children.  The trail itself cast a fear in me even though I had experience with trail walking and the Camino.  It is a steady climb up over irregular shaped, softball and basketball sized boulders. They were polished smooth where so many footprints had come over the years. There is no path. You concentrate on where you think you can get a foothold and then plant your foot in faith it holds. More surprising are those who carry toddlers sized children on the shoulders. It was hard to balance for yourself. Then there were the many who walk it barefoot. All ages make the climb. God bless those 70 year old elderly ladies in dress shoes and skirt who climbed it.

At the top is a pure white marble statue of our Lady. Her face is so serene and loving. I prayed rosary there and was moved by the thought that I was perched on a spot where heaven and earth met. When fortunate to even recognize a holy moment is around, it brings such a peace and love that is unequalled. This was the aura of Apparition Hill. There were somewhere near 100 people there at one time all deeply silent and reverent. No one spoke, with the exception of a wonderful moment one gentleman broke out his harmonica and skillfully played a Marian song of praise. I felt as if my life, my prayers, my very being was lighter, almost buoyant. Add to this the sky was a blue deeper than the ocean and the mountain air so light and pristine. It was the air I imagine heaven to have.

Another day I took the climb up Mt. Kruzidec, a distance of about 1000-2000 feet, I guess. One site of the trail’s start made me shiver. It was also like Apparition Hill with various sized irregular shaped boulders, no footholds, and much more steep and treacherous.  Every step had to be carefully chosen and even then there was the surprise of the rock being wobbly. This happened often and made you totter like a tight rope walker.  The trail was actually a currently dry mountain river bed.  It took roughly two hours to reach the top where a brilliant white marble cross shed its image on the entire village.  My time here also had rich and blessedly holy prayer time.  Gazing out on the surrounding mountainside and the awareness of this being the land where our Lady visits regularly instilled a chord of gratitude and love within me. And yes, there were parents there also carrying small children and numerous who walked the trail over rocks and sharp stones barefoot.

St. James Church is the center of all liturgies and prayer services in the area. The church holds about 1500 people. It is quaint and beautiful in its simplicity. Surrounding the church is a large ampitheatre with benches arranged in a fan shape facing a raised stage where the altar is located.  Masses continue all day in different language.  I attended one that was done in English. Many Irish attend and they lead the singing throughout the mass.  Their Irish broug and harmonious voices was so uplifting. A concert violinist played so skillfully that it felt the music lifted my prayers right out of me toward heaven.

This mass was the feast of our Lady’s Nativity.  I tried in earnest to be allowed to serve at the altar as deacon for the mass. The Irish cantor lobbied in earnest, however, a stern Sister in a habit, caught up with me and demanded, “No deacon. No!” and continued her storm of preparing the altar. I had no hurt feelings for I soon learned that 30 priests would concelebrate the mass. Besides, the music and liturgy was so spiritually electrifying that this allowed me to really experience the liturgy deeper.

Nearby the church was an ever flowing miracle. Yes, a miracle. There is a site where a 20 foot solid bronze statue is located. It is the corpse of Christ crucified and behind him is the impression of his body in a cast of a cross. It represents his resurrection. Here is the miraculous dimension. From one leg of the solid bronze leg there is a tear weep that seeps through some of the metal’s irregularities. It doesn’t come from only one spot nor does it occur at any regular intervals. I sat for hours in prayer here and each time it occurred there was a holy, silent gasp at the appearance. People will wait in long lines in hopes of capturing a tear on a piece of small cloth. All stare at the figure of Christ and some weep inconsolably at the suffering he endured. It was another very holy encounter.

The Adoration and Benediction at the church grounds is held at 9:00 at night. The Monstrance that holds the precious body is a large, gold star burst design about 3 foot in diameter. Singing, prayers, and long periods of silence is respected by thousands in attendance.  The music and singing was with all in full voice, the violinist’s solo, and deeply reverent devotion. It was a palpable presence of the Holy Spirit with so many in deep reverence.

Sometime earlier that night I caught up with a new acquaintance that came to one of my Camino talks. His name was Thomas. We kept in frequent text contact and shared spiritual insights that we had in common.  Coincidentally he would be in Medjugorie with his family members on my last night there. We text and found each other outside of St. James Church. How welcoming it was to have a conversation with an American, especially one so steeped in Marian devotion.  It turned out he was fortunate enough to secure lodging at the home of Ivan, one of the visionaries. He offered, “Would you like to meet him? I can take you there as my guest. He actually has a home in the U.S. and his home here. He is regular guy and you can ask him questions, see his home, see where he prays, and learn about his apparitions.” The word “Yes!” couldn’t fall out of my mouth fast enough. He explained that a house rule is that everyone be present promptly for meal time. I was to go tonight’s mass, then head to a free wifi station and text him. Then I would be taken to Ivan’s home.

All was heading as planned. I did text him, but waited long for his reply. It read, “Sorry, I’m now with the seven of my family members at another shrine. Can’t make it.” This was only a minor disappointment to the text that followed quickly thereafter.  “It was an amazing experience.  Ivan had an apparition. We got to witness it.” This was because it was our Lady’s birthday, the Nativity of her birth, and as a gift Ivan was granted an apparition. With Thomas and family present, they were able to witness it intimately. It broke my heart largely because I was that close to such a rare opportunity. But then, I know the guy who knows a guy who knows our Lady.  We promised to meet up back at home to share the details.

This leads me to the theme of my day’s reflection: Mother. So much of my time in Medjugorie centered on her appearance there. But it was more about allowing her spiritual presence into my spirituality.  It is a new relationship for me that had been largely undeveloped. Gratefully I’ve come to relate to her as a child with my own little Italian Momma.  I think fondly of how I would sit as a little boy nestled under her arm at her bosom.  Oh how sweet a mother’s love. It is that memory in my felt childhood that has become my new relationship with our dear Mother. It took only a new perspective to allow the relationship to emerge.

I am currently in St. Jean Pied de Port, France about to begin my long awaited Camino.  Because my backpack was lost in the airport I was forced to stay an extra day in Pamplona. This has created the opportunity to do the first day of the pilgrimage on our Lady’s appearance on September 13.  What a coincidence?! So, why was my luggage lost? To attempt this I must surrender my only opportunity for a night’s lodging midway up the Pyrenees Mts.  This is intimidating because it will mean my first day will be a behemoth walk of 27 km and a full, nonstop 5000 foot steep ascent.  This I do in honor of our Mother.

More importantly I offer all the challenge and desperate prayers for the soul of one particular mother who recently entered eternity.  I have a friend, Ishmael Lamson, a strong and loving Vietnamese American immigrant who fought hard with his wife to become Americans. They work extremely hard and struggled to catch hold of the American dream. “Ish” works at Prince Industries and his wife just succumbed to cancer at age 41, mother of a three year old and 22 year old, both boys.

I offer the Pyrenees Mountains challenge to our Mother in heaven as a love offering for Britany Lamson. I beg that you will offer prayers for her soul as well.

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

Fondly,

Deacon Willie, DW

12 September 2015

St Jean Pied de Port, France

Mother

If I was to describe my time in Medjugorie, Croatia it would be as a prayer carried upon one soft and long low note of a cello.  It was as if a bow was continuously drawn against that deep single note allowing it to penetrate deeper and deeper into the soul.  Every holy site visited had the same note of utmost holiness and soul gripping reverence. It didn’t matter the number of people around. Everyone stared in deep reverence. Here are places that graced me.

I hiked up a 1.5 km trail to Apparition Hill. This is the location where the Blessed Mother appeared to the children.  The trail itself cast a fear in me even though I had experience with trail walking and the Camino.  It is a steady climb up over irregular shaped, softball and basketball sized boulders. They were polished smooth where so many footprints had come over the years. There is no path. You concentrate on where you think you can get a foothold and then plant your foot in faith it holds. More surprising are those who carry toddlers sized children on the shoulders. It was hard to balance for yourself. Then there were the many who walk it barefoot. All ages make the climb. God bless those 70 year old elderly ladies in dress shoes and skirt who climbed it.

At the top is a pure white marble statue of our Lady. Her face is so serene and loving. I prayed rosary there and was moved by the thought that I was perched on a spot where heaven and earth met. When fortunate to even recognize a holy moment is around, it brings such a peace and love that is unequalled. This was the aura of Apparition Hill. There were somewhere near 100 people there at one time all deeply silent and reverent. No one spoke, with the exception of a wonderful moment one gentleman broke out his harmonica and skillfully played a Marian song of praise. I felt as if my life, my prayers, my very being was lighter, almost buoyant. Add to this the sky was a blue deeper than the ocean and the mountain air so light and pristine. It was the air I imagine heaven to have.

Another day I took the climb up Mt. Kruzidec, a distance of about 1000-2000 feet, I guess. One site of the trail’s start made me shiver. It was also like Apparition Hill with various sized irregular shaped boulders, no footholds, and much more steep and treacherous.  Every step had to be carefully chosen and even then there was the surprise of the rock being wobbly. This happened often and made you totter like a tight rope walker.  The trail was actually a currently dry mountain river bed.  It took roughly two hours to reach the top where a brilliant white marble cross shed its image on the entire village.  My time here also had rich and blessedly holy prayer time.  Gazing out on the surrounding mountainside and the awareness of this being the land where our Lady visits regularly instilled a chord of gratitude and love within me. And yes, there were parents there also carrying small children and numerous who walked the trail over rocks and sharp stones barefoot.

St. James Church is the center of all liturgies and prayer services in the area. The church holds about 1500 people. It is quaint and beautiful in its simplicity. Surrounding the church is a large ampitheatre with benches arranged in a fan shape facing a raised stage where the altar is located.  Masses continue all day in different language.  I attended one that was done in English. Many Irish attend and they lead the singing throughout the mass.  Their Irish broug and harmonious voices was so uplifting. A concert violinist played so skillfully that it felt the music lifted my prayers right out of me toward heaven.

This mass was the feast of our Lady’s Nativity.  I tried in earnest to be allowed to serve at the altar as deacon for the mass. The Irish cantor lobbied in earnest, however, a stern Sister in a habit, caught up with me and demanded, “No deacon. No!” and continued her storm of preparing the altar. I had no hurt feelings for I soon learned that 30 priests would concelebrate the mass. Besides, the music and liturgy was so spiritually electrifying that this allowed me to really experience the liturgy deeper.

Nearby the church was an ever flowing miracle. Yes, a miracle. There is a site where a 20 foot solid bronze statue is located. It is the corpse of Christ crucified and behind him is the impression of his body in a cast of a cross. It represents his resurrection. Here is the miraculous dimension. From one leg of the solid bronze leg there is a tear weep that seeps through some of the metal’s irregularities. It doesn’t come from only one spot nor does it occur at any regular intervals. I sat for hours in prayer here and each time it occurred there was a holy, silent gasp at the appearance. People will wait in long lines in hopes of capturing a tear on a piece of small cloth. All stare at the figure of Christ and some weep inconsolably at the suffering he endured. It was another very holy encounter.

The Adoration and Benediction at the church grounds is held at 9:00 at night. The Monstrance that holds the precious body is a large, gold star burst design about 3 foot in diameter. Singing, prayers, and long periods of silence is respected by thousands in attendance.  The music and singing was with all in full voice, the violinist’s solo, and deeply reverent devotion. It was a palpable presence of the Holy Spirit with so many in deep reverence.

Sometime earlier that night I caught up with a new acquaintance that came to one of my Camino talks. His name was Thomas. We kept in frequent text contact and shared spiritual insights that we had in common.  Coincidentally he would be in Medjugorie with his family members on my last night there. We text and found each other outside of St. James Church. How welcoming it was to have a conversation with an American, especially one so steeped in Marian devotion.  It turned out he was fortunate enough to secure lodging at the home of Ivan, one of the visionaries. He offered, “Would you like to meet him? I can take you there as my guest. He actually has a home in the U.S. and his home here. He is regular guy and you can ask him questions, see his home, see where he prays, and learn about his apparitions.” The word “Yes!” couldn’t fall out of my mouth fast enough. He explained that a house rule is that everyone be present promptly for meal time. I was to go tonight’s mass, then head to a free wifi station and text him. Then I would be taken to Ivan’s home.

All was heading as planned. I did text him, but waited long for his reply. It read, “Sorry, I’m now with the seven of my family members at another shrine. Can’t make it.” This was only a minor disappointment to the text that followed quickly thereafter.  “It was an amazing experience.  Ivan had an apparition. We got to witness it.” This was because it was our Lady’s birthday, the Nativity of her birth, and as a gift Ivan was granted an apparition. With Thomas and family present, they were able to witness it intimately. It broke my heart largely because I was that close to such a rare opportunity. But then, I know the guy who knows a guy who knows our Lady.  We promised to meet up back at home to share the details.

This leads me to the theme of my day’s reflection: Mother. So much of my time in Medjugorie centered on her appearance there. But it was more about allowing her spiritual presence into my spirituality.  It is a new relationship for me that had been largely undeveloped. Gratefully I’ve come to relate to her as a child with my own little Italian Momma.  I think fondly of how I would sit as a little boy nestled under her arm at her bosom.  Oh how sweet a mother’s love. It is that memory in my felt childhood that has become my new relationship with our dear Mother. It took only a new perspective to allow the relationship to emerge.

I am currently in St. Jean Pied de Port, France about to begin my long awaited Camino.  Because my backpack was lost in the airport I was forced to stay an extra day in Pamplona. This has created the opportunity to do the first day of the pilgrimage on our Lady’s appearance on September 13.  What a coincidence?! So, why was my luggage lost? To attempt this I must surrender my only opportunity for a night’s lodging midway up the Pyrenees Mts.  This is intimidating because it will mean my first day will be a behemoth walk of 27 km and a full, nonstop 5000 foot steep ascent.  This I do in honor of our Mother.

More importantly I offer all the challenge and desperate prayers for the soul of one particular mother who recently entered eternity.  I have a friend, Ishmael Lamson, a strong and loving Vietnamese American immigrant who fought hard with his wife to become Americans. They work extremely hard and struggled to catch hold of the American dream. “Ish” works at Prince Industries and his wife just succumbed to cancer at age 41, mother of a three year old and 22 year old, both boys.

I offer the Pyrenees Mountains challenge to our Mother in heaven as a love offering for Britany Lamson. I beg that you will offer prayers for her soul as well.

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria

Fondly,

Deacon Willie, DW