Cherishing the Faith Until the End

When we realize that someone who is dear to us is nearing the end of their time on earth, every moment we spend with them becomes all the more special.

My own dear father has been suffering with grave illness for the past five or so years.

Many the time, we have thought him to be in his last hours and have headed to his bedside, only to watch the grace of God spare him and lift him to his feet once more.

Such was the situation this past week. And, after his return from the hospital, I was treated to a wonderful visit with him and my mother...my husband stayed home with the children and I was able to go with my brother and his wife and enjoy two days with my parents; talking, discussing, praying, reminiscing.

As we were sitting quietly in the living room at the end of the first day, my Dad began to talk about the Latin Mass and how he misses it so.

My dad is 83 years old, and as I've said, has had severe health issues. Sometimes, his speech becomes slurred and one can barely understand what he is saying.

And yet...

And yet...the beautiful Catholic Mass and Faith which he holds so dear to his heart remains with him.

We listened, as this beautiful man, in his humble way, began to recite the Mass, from memory, IN LATIN!

He went on to pray the Our Father in Latin.

Then, in English, the Hail Holy Queen.

This man, who was, only days ago in an MRI, looking for signs of a stroke, could somehow still remember the words to these beautiful devotions and prayers and was lifting up his tired, old voice to heaven; thanking God, for the beauty of  his Catholic Faith.

I thought of my own children. I knew what a cherished memory I was being given in these moments...one I will never forget and one I will think of, often, when the time comes to say goodbye to my beloved Dad.
I asked God then, to inspire my children with the same love of the Faith that my father has carried on to his golden years from his childhood.

I hope that they too, will continue to recall the devotions and prayers and traditions that my husband and I share with them now, as they are growing in their Faith.

I hope that they will embrace and live it when they are on their own; sharing it with others; perhaps their own children some day.

Ours is a beautiful Faith...The Catholic Faith.

And listening to my father pray in Latin was as good as hearing a symphony of Mozart.

It was music to my ears. And, I'm sure, it was music that went straight to HEAVEN.






I am happy to be a part of this new blogging community! I look froward to sharing and learning and growing closer to Christ in the beautiful Catholic Faith with all who write here and visit here! God bless each and all of you this day!