One of the perks about being a Legionary Brother is to live 24/7 with priests. It is such a blessing. More than anyone else, we are always in touch with their human side and with the mysterious presence of Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim, in their souls. We have Mass with them every day; and minutes later we are cooking pancakes and eating breakfast together; we receive spiritual direction and are mentored by them; and we disassemble our Christmas tree as a family; we can ask them for confession whenever we need; and sometimes we play flag football at the beach with them.
Last week I experienced this mystery in a very special way. Two brothers and I went with my superior, Fr Brian, to do some exercise in the local park. As we arrived at the park, each one went running in a different direction. I decided to go to a trail I had not explored before.
As I was running through the woods, in a very narrow part of the trail I saw a group of people ahead, maybe 10 or 15. I thought they were having some kind of outdoor class, since they were all quiet and in a serious mood while a woman talked. As I approached them, I realized that there was a man lying on the ground and a person was doing CPR on him.
“Is this some kind of outdoor paramedic class?” I asked myself (I live in California, and this would not surprise me). I realized that the woman was actually talking on the phone and asking for help, and that the man lying was unconscious. It was a very awkward moment. Everyone was quietly observing the CPR procedure, no commotion at all, and I was wondering what to do. I felt really impotent; I wanted to help that man but did not know how. I started praying a Hail Mary for him. “If I were a priest… I could really help him…” I said to myself. Then, I suddenly remembered that Fr Brian was running somewhere in the park.
I ran as fast as I could and prayed to my guardian angel to bring me to Fr Brian, but to no avail. I did not find him on the other trails. Little did I know, Fr Brian was already with that man (way to go guardian angel!!!). He arrived minutes after I left the scene, together with the paramedics and the ambulance. He was able to give a conditional absolution to the man, who passed away minutes later.
Experiences like this make me contemplate in awe the mystery of the priesthood, which is a real sign of the Divine Mercy in our lives. Jesus works through the lives of his priests and it is almost hidden in their ordinary lives, like a treasure hidden in a jar of clay.
I am so grateful for the example and the service of all my brother legionary priests! Thank you, padres!
By the way, it happened to be the first Friday of the month!
Que história comovente meu filho. Foi um milagre de DEUS o sacerdote ter chegado a tempo de dar a absolvição condicional. Saudades do Pai.