A Rose

Decided to stick around a few minutes longer after Mass than I usually do this afternoon.

In my prayers of thanksgiving, I thanked Our Lord for His mercy and for His Sacrifice. I thanked Him for the grace not only of coming to the foot of His cross every day but for the love He has put into my heart to do so. I thought of the psalm from the Lavabo.

“Oh Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.”

Then I remembered something a wonderful and holy priest once said while preaching at one of the many daily Masses in our parish wherein a child receives his first Holy Communion. The priest has since died so pray for his soul. Addressing the young girl about to receive he said, “When you receive Him, ask Him for whatever you want. He lives to be generous and lavish us with His gifts in this moment.”

So I thanked Him for His angels and saints who have been such a help and consolation to me in my prayers – saints like Rita and Padre Pio and my Guardian Angel.

As I lifted my head preparing to get up I glanced at the altar rail in front of me and saw this:

There, where it had not been moments earlier, was a single long-stemmed rose. Whether a sign from St. Rita about a prayer already being answered or a sign of God’s beauty reminding me of His majesty I cannot say, though I had the strong feeling it was more the former.

Regardless, this was a beautiful sign to me and an encouragement to persist in my prayers.

I hope you all find roses in your daily lives as well!