This story is true and was written by one of our priests serving abroad, to nourish our minds and hearts with the beauty of faith. I got to know this lady closely at one of the churches where I served abroad. She is a young woman who is pleasant to deal with, beautiful in appearance, and has an inner beauty that is even more striking.
When you speak with her, her sweet, gentle words captivate you. Her voice is soft, barely audible, yet its tone touches the core of your heart. In short, she is unique! When I met her family, it became clear just how unique she was. She didn’t resemble anyone in her family, as if she were from another family entirely.
This prompted my naive question: “Who does Mary take after? She doesn’t look like anyone in your family at all!” Her mother smiled and told me Mary’s story… “My husband, Father, did not believe in the saints or their intercession. He was raised in a church that taught him to deny their existence, even to mock the idea of their reality. This was a constant source of conflict and arguments at home. I would get angry at his mocking debates.
He wouldn’t allow any icon of a saint to be hung in the house, as it would irritate and anger him greatly. I failed to convince him, and so did the visiting priests.” Her husband then took over the narrative: “Father, let me tell you myself so that the testimony is accurate,” he said, continuing the story as I sat on the edge of my seat, fully engaged. “The vision was mesmerizing. The Virgin Mary appeared as a crowned queen among a host of pure angels surrounding her and holding her snow-white robe. Her smile was enchanting, compelling you to bow in reverence and filling your soul with devotion.
As she approached me, she gently rebuked me: ‘Why do you mock me? Why don’t you believe in the saints and trust that my Son, the Savior of the world, listens to me and to them? We intercede for you because we love you.’ I replied, ‘Forgive me, my Lady. It’s not my fault. This is how I was raised; this is what the shepherds taught us.’ ‘They are shepherds who care for themselves; they do not follow the flock. My Son and Savior loves you and wants you to be with Him and with us.
Out of His love for us and you, He listens to us. You and we are one; we are all one body.’ I said, ‘My Lady, I am ashamed of myself. It seems I have gone too far in my wrong beliefs. Forgive me.’ ‘You are a good man. Please, do not upset your wife over this matter again. Promise me you will change your behavior.’ ‘I promise you, my Lady.
Forgive me and help me rid myself of my wrong beliefs and bad habits.’ ‘And to prove to you that my Son has forgiven you through my intercession and that I also forgive you, I will give you a gift for a lifetime. I will give you a beautiful daughter who will resemble no one but me. Look closely at my face because you will see me in your daughter’s face.
You will remember me always, and you will know that you were not dreaming—that I am real and not a figment of your imagination…!’ A few months later, Mary was born, unlike anyone else, beautiful like the finest daughters of Nazareth.”
