Quite a while ago, my son was able to purchase tickets for the Olympics. He and his fiancee left for their big trip a couple days ago. They decided to spend some time in Rome before heading over to Paris for their ticketed events. I knew they were planning on going to Mass at the Vatican. Shortly after I woke up this morning, I received photos from them. I was shocked to see a picture of my son at the lectern in an incredibly beautiful church. Here is his story.

“It was Santo Spirito in Sassia. They do English Mass every Sunday at 9:30 am. They were the only one with English Mass close to the Vatican. About 3 blocks away. A nun (sister of mercy…of course) just came over and asked if we were readers because she needed readers and I said I have been before so she asked if I’d be willing to. I did today’s second reading!”

I did a little research and found that the church had been appointed by St. Pope John Paul II to be the Divine Mercy Spirituality Center and was served by the sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy. This is the scripture verse my son read:

Eph 4:1-6
“Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

I cried as I thanked God for the incredible blessing He gave to my son and his fiancee.

I Found God today in His gift of allowing my son to be part of a beautiful Mass in an extraordinary place.