Encounter with a holy spirit

I met an extraordinary woman the other day. I received a phone call asking me about a blessing with the Padre Pio Glove. “Would you be able to come to my home, I am unable to come to you?” I said that would be fine, and since she lived in Dublin it was very convenient.

I called to her house the other evening in an area I know fairly well, and I parked the car around the corner from the house. She came to the door, and I was met with a cheerful smile and a real ceád míle fáilte. We went into the back room, the kitchen and she sat, and we chatted. I was struck by her welcome and by the fact that she was really delighted and grateful I called. It was very evident that here was someone who had a hope and a real joy deep down. As we chatted, she mentioned that while she wasn’t native to Dublin, she had lived and worked here for a few years.

She told me that she had been battling cancer and was now receiving palliative care at home. She said “They tell me that the tumors have metastasized, and they are unable to do anymore. They tell me I have about two to three weeks left.” She said this without the least bit of fear or sadness. At the same time, she added that she hopes that she might get longer and is not for throwing in the towel. She told me she has a great faith in God, in prayer, and in St. Pio.

As we talked, she asked me when my birthday was, and I said October 17^th and she mentioned that I was a Libra. It turns out that we were around the same age, but she was a few months younger than me and that we would have similar knowledge of the times, the music, and the culture of our generation.  I was moved to hear her story and how positive she is despite the grim outcome. She is not one bit afraid and indeed accepts the fact that these may be her last months on this earth.

I told her of a conversation I had with a friar some years ago about the signs of the grace of a happy death. He said we do not get the grace of a happy death until we are dying. I believe she is experiencing this grace in abundance, and it certainly showed to me the other evening. And this grace is to be shared and it spills over to all who encounter her, it is for her but it also benefits others. The grace of a happy death for someone can strengthen our faith and the faith of all who know them and love them. I bet she strengthens all who are assisting her in the hospice home care team. I told her how much I appreciated the time I spent in her company and that this encounter would fortify me and my own faith. I told her that I would ask people to pray for her and with a smile and with the light from her bright eyes, she said thank you.

On this feast of the Most Blessed Trinity, I give thanks for this meeting with a sister who may soon stand before God, yet I pray she will get some more time and I pray that her hope and joy will invite many more people to faith. God is family, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are all invited to enter into this love. We pray for this sister and for her lively faith and thank God that she shares it with all of us, even through the pain and struggle.