I rise
from my knees
and pull myself up
onto the bench.
The sun's rays
shine through
the glass behind me
and warm
my black trenchcoat.
Mary Beth
also rises to the bench
and snuggles next to me.
I look up
to the statues
depicting the apparition
that occurred here
more than a hundred
years ago.
Our Lady of Knock,
pray for us.
St. Joseph,
pray for us.
St. John,
pray for us.
It's hard to believe
that only
two-and-a-half years
have passed
since I was last here.
So much has happened.
It seems like decades ago.
Memories
of the pilgrimage
flow through my mind.
I recall
the flood of peace
when I knelt
before the Lord
in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
I recall
the tears
that ran unchecked.
I recall
the words to the song
that assured me
of my vocation
and became
a prophecy fulfilled.
These memories
are as clear to me now
as if they were happening
this very moment.
Yet this is
a different pilgrimage:
one of thanksgiving
for the amazing ways
that the Lord
keeps His promises.
I think back
over the many events
that made my life
such a whirlwind
in the time between
these two pilgrimages....
It wasn’t long
after the first pilgrimage
that I met Lisa
and thought
that she was the fulfillment
of my calling.
I still remember
the day I realized otherwise,
and decided
to enter the seminary.
Having become disenchanted
with “signs and wonders,”
I tried to dismiss
what had occurred here
as a misinterpretation
of events.
No matter how hard I tried,
though,
the memory would often
come back to mind
when I least expected it,
until I finally accepted the fact
that this was
part of God's calling.
Once the consideration
of the priesthood
had been put to rest,
everything else
fell into place.
And here we are,
on our honeymoon,
tying it all together
by making a pilgrimage
to the place
where the Sower
planted a seed...
the seed
that would one day
make everything so clear.
Thank You, Lord,
for Your guidance
in the midst
of this whirlwind.
Where would I be
without You?
And thank You
for bringing
this wonderful woman
into my life
to be my other half.
I doubt that I'll ever
thank You enough
for all You've given me.
I pull out my Rosary,
fix my eyes
on the tabernacle,
and begin
this prayer
of thanksgiving...
in the name
of the Father,
the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I believe....