Today I took delivery on a new car. It’s Marian blue. Chrysler calls it Marine Blue. They have their description and I have mine. New cars are scary. I’m always afraid to get that first scratch or dent and I’ll be parking more carefully for awhile. I got a new PT Cruiser. I traded in my old Cruiser. It was getting tired from lots of driving. I was looking for more mileage with gasoline prices skyrocketing, but the dealer gave me a good trade and I decided to stay with a familiar ride. After filling out all the necessary paperwork I decided to drive down to St. Elizabeth’s Motherhouse. and say a prayer in the Motherhouse chapel. St. Elizabeth’s is the home of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. I need a new string for the Tau I wear around my neck. I was looking for Sister Karen from the Ritiro. I knew she could help me out. The receptionist was unable to locate her, but just as I was walking away I spied an old friend, Sr. Rita Michael Aguillard, OSF. Sr. Rita was one of my teachers at St. Pius X in Delevan, New York when I was in Elementary School. We renewed our friendship three years ago at a Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Mt. Irenaeus. In the last nearly three years I’ve visited with Sr. Rita Michael on a number of occasions. She is a unique lady who really destroyed any stereotypes I held of nuns. Her book, Fifty Years Fifty Flashbacks is a great read.
Sr. Rita Michael is leaving for Brazil tomorrow and will be gone for three months. She spent 37 years of her life working there and now she’s returning for an extended visit. I’m glad I got a chance to see her today. I have been praying a lot lately about the direction of my life and seeing her today and getting a chance to share some of that was a blessing. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that we met. I had some questions about the Rosary and prayer in general and she reassured me that I was on the right track. I hope you’ll join me in praying for her safe journey to Brazil.