The moment finally arrived yesterday afternoon when I walked into my friend’s home and was welcomed by Crystal and Kevin Sullivan, the couple who was gifting me and the Maria Goretti Network with the Maria Goretti 1st class relic. Running a few minutes late due to a previous meeting I hurried into the house, put my things in the kitchen and instantly hugged each one by the neck as we were introduced. As each second ticked by it was not surprising to learn that we had more in common than this prompted gift-giving by the Holy Spirit.
Crystal and Kevin are a part of a lay movement called “The Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King” that began in Chicago but is now all over the world. The Apostolate began with the publishing of one woman’s spiritual journal’s that reveal messages from Our Lord called ‘interior locutions’. Known as Anne the Lay Apostle, Anne has written a multitude of books but the original series that got the Apostolate going were ten small books entitled “The Volumes”. Ironically I had met a young man a few years prior at a Steubenville conference at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. He had heard me speak and wanted to talk with me. A part of what he said to me then was mentioning Anne and her books. He told me after hearing me speak that I reminded him of her (what a compliment! 😉 ) and he just knew I would love reading her writings. He literally walked me to the campus bookstore and helped me pick out a few to begin with. I chose Volume I, Volume VII and “Climbing the Mountain”.
I stuck the books in my bag and honestly didn’t get the chance to look at them till months later. I chose to read “Climbing the Mountain” as it seemed more appealing at the time and if I am to be honest, I was uncertain of what I thought about this woman having ‘interior locutions’ in our time and it promised to reveal those locutions plus more of the ‘back story’ to how this Apostolate began. To me having interior locutions was beyond ‘this life’…only saints did that! (Silly, really, when we have every day people experiencing the spiritual realm in so many facets these days INCLUDING ME…how dare I to ‘judge’??) Climbing the Mountain became my reading material after journaling in adoration. It was uplifting, promising and renewed my own calling to keep going on my ‘mission’ for God. In the meantime, this young man has kept up with me on Facebook and has since graduated from Franciscan and now works for Anne the Lay Apostle.
Now, back to Crystal and Kevin, they began to tell me who they represented and when they said Anne the Lay Apostle I was in awe. I was going to tell them I knew a young man that probably worked with them who encouraged me to read her writings and they interrupted saying something about this young man. I told them I knew him and it was as if you could feel the gears of God’s plan cranking up and moving in tandem. We had so much we wanted to say to each other I nearly forgot about the relic! But the beautiful frame caught my eye and I had to interrupt everyone so that I could give this holy relic it’s proper veneration.
For those that are not certain what a relic is I’m going to direct you to this site http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/News+++Publications+2203/Michigan+Catholic+News+12203/2009+16867/091009relics.htm
This relic is legit. It was originally in the hands of a priest in Rome who gifted it to another Passionist priest who then gifted it to the Sullivan’s and it has been in their care ever since. It comes with the authenticity papers (in Latin) and apparently it is a piece of her bone. I tell you, I realize it’s hard to understand relics and not think ‘isn’t that like idol worship?’…trust me, I do understand that uncertainty!! But I tell you this was a physical way that Maria Goretti herself could come down here and give myself, Miguel Prats, Fr. Gavin Vaverek and Bishop Corrada a pat on the back saying “You are on the right track and THANK YOU.”
For the rest of our short (much too short) time together Crystal and I spoke more about Anne. I had so many questions and as she began to tell me more about Anne I felt as if I was learning of someone who could truly ‘get’ me. I know that might sound strange and I’m not certain I can explain it well.
In the long run I left our gathering, with the Maria Goretti relic in hand, knowing that those gears were not going to stop…they were cranking up something big that God has in mind. It is no coincidence that the young man introduced me to those books years ago, is now working for that very mission AND that this couple who also works for them was ‘led’ to bring me this relic.
In my visual learning I picture this as Christ at the head altar unfolding the corporal (the white cloth that is unfolded before the liturgy of the Eucharist in the Mass). The corporal starts as one small square, but it takes I think at least 8 steps to unfold the white cloth to it’s fullest length and to reveal the red cross monogrammed in the middle.
He is preparing His table and with each step we are being made ‘ready’ and then unfolded to ultimately reveal Him. Beautiful :).
Oh and if you think I’m beginning to get ‘beyond’ myself I would like you all to know that I am in great need of coming a LONG way…
Today I was getting a pedicure (I know, luxury right? 😉 ) and these two women were sitting across from me. They looked so familiar and I just knew I knew them from somewhere. Finally, when I was done I had to ask them but I didn’t think before I spoke. You see, they were both beautiful women, one had salt & pepper hair, the other was a brunette and for whatever reason before thinking I said, “Are you two mother and daughter?” 🙁
They laughed and in the awkwardness said, “Oh no, just best friends.” AUGH…why did I say that???? I could’ve said “Are you family?” Or simply, “I feel like I know you but I’m not sure from where?” The woman who had the salt & pepper hair felt the need to explain she no longer had the desire to die her hair. I tried desperately to asure her she didn’t need to …but why listen to me???
At any rate I said an internal prayer for God to bless them and make HER feel good because I sure did fail!
Maria Goretti I need some help…maybe it’s good I have the relic in my home for a bit? Ha! 🙂
Keeping me humble.
Blessings
Shannon