As I write today I am listening to Archbishop Naumann speaking at the Vigil mass for LIFE in Washington DC last night. He is my hero these days as he is responsible for bringing Hallel's Community of the Lamb to America 11 years ago, when Hallel said "yes" to her call to join them and become a bride for Christ! He holds the position of the Chairman for Pro-LIFE among the Bishops, and is such a powerful voice for LIFE and for family!
I just got off the phone to my Hallel… we are grieving the death of a dear friend/family member as of yesterday afternoon. Pat's cousin lost her husband and they are close friends to us throughout our marriage, and their son, Fr Craig has been so important to us since our girls discerned and entered the convent, John's brain cancer, each and most every powerful moment with our grown children have involved Fr Craig! Most recently he officiated at Nancy and Bill's funeral for their baby Maximilian lost at 20 weeks in the womb on Thanksgiving 2018.
As I was talking to Hallel she shared with me that yesterday was the feast day of St Emerentiana, who was a servant/foster Sister of St Agnes, whose feast was the day before. "She followed after St Agnes and is buried with her in the Church in Rome!" So powerful to know that St Emerentiana welcomed Gary along with St Agnes into Heaven after his passing from the arms of his loving family!
St Emerentiana
SAINT OF THE DAY
January 23
St Emerentiana
Virgin, Martyr
As per the Roman Martyrology, St Emerentiana was the foster sister of St Agnes. Both of them were of much the same age, but Emerentiana was yet only a catechumen. She was stoned to death while praying beside the grave of St Agnes, thus receiving the baptism of blood. She was buried in the Cemeterium majus, a little farther, along the Via Nomentana in Rome, then the spot where the Basilica dedicated to St Agnes was erected. Later, her remains were transferred t0 the Basilica.
Just listened to Archbishop Naumann last night!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
Lord, thank you for the journey called life/love/light we are all called to embrace as we follow you down the narrow path - we know not what each new day will hold and when you will call us home from this world. May we give you our all and die to self while we live and allow you to use us as your hands and feet! The Psalm from mass today - Psalm 57 gives us comfort and assurance of your fingerprint upon our lives with you! For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Taking John through the baths in Lourdes in August of 2009! How John was touched and found a profound love for Our Lady! His Faith in the True Church was discovered through his battle with brain cancer! Fr Craig had a lot to do with that journey and continues to this day! A couple weeks ago he let us know that he was in Lourdes praying for John and his dad, and was going into the baths with their intentions! Bless-bless, Barb
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