I'm not Catholic
I'm not Catholic, but Marie certainly was. We went to the same private college, she was affiliated with the class of '50, I with the class of '89. She found God while studying there and it changed her life. She attended mass every day and provided Jesuit priests with lists of people to pray for: her brother, her parents, her children, anniversaries, birthdays, special days. She had a way of getting everyone on board.
My husband and I dated for 10 months before getting engaged. We phoned my in-laws to share our news, "Oh! This is wonderful!" Marie gasped. "I have been praying for you for thirteen years." I have no doubt there were also a few Jesuits helping Marie in her special request.
During Marie's death and funeral I took communion four times - twice with her at the hospital, once at a family mass and again at the large funeral mass. I said a rosary for the first time. I had long conversations with two priests (one of whom said he would pray for me) and witnessed first hand how the rituals of religion helped pave the way for our family to get back to a 'normal' life.
There were certain elements of Marie’s death that make me question whether there is a divine plan. Her husband was with her. Five of her seven children were with her, two were on their way. Three daughters- in- law and four of the ten grandchildren were there. She had given confession. Priests had visited twice to anoint the sick. That afternoon four of the family members said The Divine Mercy rosary (one that Marie was particularly devoted to) and added a verse to open the gates of heaven. We went downstairs for lunch and received a call that it was time to come back to the room. A priest was administering final rites when we arrived (he happened to stop in just as she was slipping way). It started to snow and didn’t stop until we started to gather up to leave the hospital.
It couldn’t have been more peaceful. Maybe I'm more Catholic than I let on.
My husband and I dated for 10 months before getting engaged. We phoned my in-laws to share our news, "Oh! This is wonderful!" Marie gasped. "I have been praying for you for thirteen years." I have no doubt there were also a few Jesuits helping Marie in her special request.
During Marie's death and funeral I took communion four times - twice with her at the hospital, once at a family mass and again at the large funeral mass. I said a rosary for the first time. I had long conversations with two priests (one of whom said he would pray for me) and witnessed first hand how the rituals of religion helped pave the way for our family to get back to a 'normal' life.
There were certain elements of Marie’s death that make me question whether there is a divine plan. Her husband was with her. Five of her seven children were with her, two were on their way. Three daughters- in- law and four of the ten grandchildren were there. She had given confession. Priests had visited twice to anoint the sick. That afternoon four of the family members said The Divine Mercy rosary (one that Marie was particularly devoted to) and added a verse to open the gates of heaven. We went downstairs for lunch and received a call that it was time to come back to the room. A priest was administering final rites when we arrived (he happened to stop in just as she was slipping way). It started to snow and didn’t stop until we started to gather up to leave the hospital.
It couldn’t have been more peaceful. Maybe I'm more Catholic than I let on.
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