Brighter than the sun

I was visiting my mother in Intensive Care when a patient several beds away began to struggle and shout. An emergency code was issued, bringing medical personnel running from far and wide, and all visitors were ushered out into the hallway to allow the staff to work.

It was already about nine o'clock in the evening, and I made my way down the elevator to the front of the hospital. The air was temperate for October, so comfortable in fact that I parked myself on an outdoor bench, opening my cell phone to update the family at home. A pair of automatic doors parted, and two men emerged from the building, deep in conversation. As they shook hands to say goodbye, I heard one say to the other in the most heartfelt of tones, "Thank you, Father."

The priest was wearing a collar, and, slipping the phone into my bag, I could not resist smiling and saying, "Hello, Father" as he passed. He returned my greeting and paused a moment, as if he was used to strangers wanting a word with him. Given the opportunity, I added, "Father, I wonder if you could pray for my mother--she had an extensive stroke yesterday."

"Yes, I will pray for her," he said, looking sorry to hear the news.

"Are you a chaplain at this hospital, Father," I asked hopefully, "because I know she would love to see a priest."

"No," he said, "I am from St. Boniface and was called in tonight because someone died, but I will come back to see her tomorrow. What is her name?"

"Alice O'Brien," I told him, welling up at this kindness, my voice wavering a little, "she is in Intensive Care."

"Alice O'Brien," he repeated, "I will see her tomorrow," and I thanked him heartily as the two of us parted ways.

Still reeling from the shock of my mother's stroke, I had not yet cried over it. Alone in the car a moment or so later, the tears flowed, tears of sorrow to be sure, but also tears of affection and gratitude for this good priest. I prayed that God would bless him always and thanked Our Lady for putting one of her faithful sons in my path when he was so needed. A crescent moon beamed above the hospital rooftop, casting a pleasing glow upon the night that had began so bleak, warming me through like a smile.

A great deal is often said nowadays about the environment. Americans are reminded that we must learn to be better stewards of the earth, preserving our forests and fossil fuel and purifying the air and water so that we will have something left for our grandchildren. There is something else we must also preserve, holding onto it and nurturing it for dear life, praying that we may pass it along as the most sacred of all legacies--the Catholic Priesthood.

Saint Padre Pio once said, "It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass."

St. Pio speaks with his customary clarity, offering an analogy that is both shocking and obviously true. Without our priests, we would have no Mass--we would have no Confession for the forgiveness of our sins--and our world would be bleak indeed. Let us treasure the priesthood as the greatest gift humanity has to offer, praying for vocations and asking God to bless our families by calling our sons to the altar.

Twenty years ago, my grandmother lay dying. My mother and I stood at her bedside with a holy priest on hand to offer her the sacraments. Now, an impossibly short time later, it is my mother who is gravely ill, and a priest was there for her. Someday all too soon, my time will come, as it did for the last two Alices before me, and I cannot help but wonder: Will my daughter be able to find a priest right outside the hospital?

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few--may the Lord of the harvest send forth more laborers . . . and may we never find ourselves without one of these chosen ones in our time of need.

*******
The following afternoon, I asked my mother if a priest had been in to see her. "No, I don't think so," she told me, "I would have remembered."

This was disappointing, but I thought perhaps he had forgotten her name or had been busier than expected. No one is pulled in more directions than the average parish priest.

A nurse came in to check my mother's IV moments later and mentioned off-handedly, "Your mother had a visitor here earlier--a priest."

"Really?" I said, feeling a throb in my heart, "thank you for telling me." My eyes and the bridge of my nose stung and I swallowed hard, once again more from gratitude than sorrow. Turning my mother's hand over in mine, I offered a prayer of thanksgiving from both of us for good Father Fred.

Comments

[Glenn]

Oh Alice, I am praying for you, and your mother.

Glenn

[Melanie]

Alice, even in great moments of sorrow, you are such a gifted writer. thank you for sharing your life with us. God bless your dear mother and all your family.

[Essy]

This brought tears to my eyes. You and your mother are in my prayers.

[Mary Ellen Barrett]

Alice, your dear mother is always in our prayers. Ryan has been offering his rosary for his friend Mrs. O'Brien.

As always, a beautiful reflection.

[Maria]

Beautiful post, Alice...continuing to pray.

[Jennie C.]

oh, Alice, I am so sorry about your mother and am praying often for both of you.

[Cheryl M.]

Alice - this is very beautiful and so very true - we need good, holy priests. Know that my prayers continue for your mother's recovery. Also, prayers for you and your family.

[Meredith]

Alice, No one can say it better than you, still praying fervently for your dear mother and for your strength and fortitude in such a trying time. We love you and are thinking of you throughout our days :)

[Lisa]

What a wonderful blog, and I love how you talked about the Catholic priests! How true it is that many forget about the chivalrous and honorable works of our dear priests! Thank you for reminding me!

[Kristen Laurence]

Alice, this is so perfectly beautiful. *You* are beautiful. I've been checking Cottage Blessings frequently for more news on your mother. She is very much in my prayers, and so are you. +++

[patience]

Dear Alice, it is such a wonder how you see beauty even in your saddest moments. I've been thinking of you and continuing to pray for your family.

[Margaret Mary Myers]

Thank you for sharing with us your beautiful thoughts.

Thanks be to God that you were back on the East Coast before this happened.

Will pray for your mother and you all.

[Beck]

Oh, Alice. This broke my heart.
I'm praying for your mother.

[Angel]

Wanted to let you know I am praying, Alice... computer time isn't always reliable lately, but I have kept you, your mother, and your family in my prayers.

[Lorraine]

I have a feeling that Father Fred feels equally blessed at meeting you and you mother....your mother is in my prayers.

[Lindsey @ enjoythejourney]

Beautiful as always Alice. We are continuing to pray for you and your whole family right now here in NC.

Your post made me think...this is the circle of life in Christ. Birth, life, and death. It is all part of the process...and as I say often, the destination really was the journey all along.

I'm sure your mother is as beautiful as you...and I know her Heavenly Father must be so pleased that she taught you so well all these years.

Hang in there...

[Elizabeth H]

Beautiful post. I prayed for your mother at a retreat at Ampleforth this weekend.

[clarice]

Alice isn't it amazing how God shows us He is there, He has not forgotten. I am praying for your mother and you. Clarice

[Christine M]

Alice, I'm praying for your mother - and for you.

[Michelle]

Alice, what an amazing post. I see it may be the beginning of a series on the priesthood (from your tags) what a treasure that will be! Bless you and yours and may your Heavenly Father - and all the faithful Fathers - bring you peace at this trying time.

[Marybeth]

Oh,Alice! We are praying. Much love to you. I am so happy a priest was able to visit your Mom. I am thankful for the comfort he was able to offer to you also. Only you would want us all to pray for good and holy priests while suffering in your own heart. What a treasure you are to everyone!

[Kimberlee]

Thank you so much for the update and a lovely story and reflection as an extra gift. We continue to pray for your dear mother.

[vicki]

Again, what a wonderful story - thank you for sharing. I will pray for your mother.

[Claire]

What a powerful reflection! May our Lord continue to raise up priestly hearts, and our Lord preserve her sons in their calling.

Prayers and sacrifices sent for you all...

Peace,
Claire

[Eileen]

Oh, Alice.

You've done it again.

May our dear Lord bless you as much as your beautiful reflections have blessed me, even in this time of difficulty.

And once again I find myself marveling, and praying--whatever it is she has, that offers such deep peace in the middle of such sorrow!--may I please have some, too?!

Thank you so much for sharing this. What a marvelous find this site is--I hope you will always continue to put your beautiful thoughts into words.

Many prayers and blessings upon you, your mom and your family.

Warmly,
Eileen

[Maria Ashwell]

Alice, only you can give us this moment of profound faith and love out your own trial and suffering. Thank you dear. I am praying for your mother every day.

[Carole ... in the Heartland ... soon Wales]

Alice, thank you so much for sharing this lovely moment with us. You are such a wonderful writer. My thoughts and prayers continue to stay with you and your family.

[Rachel]

Alice,
Thank you for updating us on your mother, she has been on my mind. I am glad that Fr. Fred came in to see her, what a wonderful priest he is :)

[Tammy Jimenez]

Alice,
Your entire family is in my prayers! Will you in turn pray for my son, Zachary, who is in the early stages of discerning if God is calling him to the priesthood? He is serving a year on the National Evangelization Team in St. Michael, Minnesota. He is definitely feeling God's call to ministry!

[Eddie]

Alice,

Our family prays for your mom every day - she is such a beautiful person. We know God will care for her.

Eddie

[Jane Ramsey]

God bless Fr. Fred and all our precious priests. Where would we be without them, especially during the hardest trials of our lives?
And God bless your dear mother, Alice. Many more prayers coming her way (and yours).
Love,
Jane

[Leona]

Saying lots of prays for you Alice and also for your Mom. That is what your internet "cousins" are for. I got Dad to light a candel in our local church in Cork and Mom a fellow O'Brien is also praying for you all.
Hugs,
Leona

[Rebecca]

I am continuing to pray for your Mom, Alice. This is a beautiful post.

[Shaun]

Alice, God is so good! Even in the midst of all that you are going through He gives you the grace to write such a beautiful post that is a light for the rest of us. God Bless your mother, you, and your family.

[Julie at Trinity Acres]

What a lovely post, Alice. I am so sorry to read about your mother's stroke. (My mother was an O'Brien too! Wouldn't I love to be related to you!) Love and Prayers,
Julie

[Donna]

How very beautiful, Alice. What a heartwarming story. My prayers are for you and your mother. Thank you for your reminder to pray for our priests.

[Robin Sisler]

Alice, I'm wondering if your mother was from New York?
I am looking for an Alice O'brien born around 1906.
Thanks so much and God Bless.