The Universal Church

It is hard to believe that just a week ago, I was sitting in the Catedral Basilica de Salvador in Brazil. Never in my wildest dreams, did I imagine that I would be there especially as a witness to the diaconal ordination of my son, Br. Francis Therese! It has been a journey for not only him, but for all his family and friends.

Although, as Catholics, we grow up with the notion of the Universal Church, nothing brings it home quite like attending Mass in a foreign country in a foreign language! In that space we are all brothers and sisters worshiping the same God. The outpouring of support and celebration from the local people and his fellow brothers as well as Bishop Gilson Andrade da Silva, lifted my heart and confirmed that my boy is in the place where God wants him to be. It is hard to have one of your children so far away no matter how old or independent they are. This grand occasion of his ordination and the obvious love of the people in Salvador for him make my own desire for his presence a little easier to bear.

There were many adventures for us to enjoy but when asked, "What was your favorite part?" I have to say that it was all the people that we got to meet. To be able to put faces with the names of the people in the convent, in Salvador and the favela, Alto da Esperança, changes everything! Of course, I have supported my son's fundraising efforts to reconstruct the Mary Magdalene House in Alto. Now I know the people whose lives will be directly affected when the work is completed. These people are filled with hope that this building will once again be a center of community where they can gather and support one another. Our tour guide in the favela remembers what the building used to be and what a difference it made in their lives. She was so proud to show us the chapel where they attend Mass. The people there helped to construct it and take good care of the building. I am sure that the same will be true for the Mary Magdalene House!

There are so many blessings I received during my visit to Salvador. I am thankful for safe travels, for all the Community of St. John, for the gift of my son and his vocation, and for my Catholic faith. I am still thinking about how thankful I am for the extra five pounds I gained eating the most delicious food!

Please join me in prayer for the continued success of the mission in Salvador. I promised I would return for the dedication of the new Mary Magdalene House and I need to travel when I am still young enough to get there!