I'm fascinated by stories of pilgrims who visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, and, for various reasons, such as a greater sacrifice or in atonement for their sins, perhaps, walk to the Shrine on their knees, often while praying the rosary. Even though many wear knee pads for this kneeling pilgrimage, the pain must still be quite difficult to endure. Although I like the idea of such a drastic form of prayer, I'm not sure that I could muster up the resolve to make a pilgrimage of that nature. But now, I've found my own little form of making a kneeling pilgrimage which is not too difficult too endure, and which brings immediate rewards of satisfaction, and hopefully, many spiritual rewards as well.
As I help to clean Old St. Mary Parish each week, one of the tasks I have taken on is polishing the name plates at the end of each pew. Back in the 1980's, when the church was renovated, memorial donations were made, and to honor those people on whose behalf donations were made, brass name plates were made and attached to both sides of the pews in church. Over time, the name plates become tarnished and the names are hard to read. So, I get down on my knees, and walk from pew to pew with a bottle of brass polish and an old rag, to bring those brass plates back to the gleam and shine they once knew when they were first installed.
My pilgrimage is hardly difficult as I kneel on soft carpeting, inside a warm and beautiful church, beneath the soft glow of the antique lights, always under the watchful and loving eyes of Jesus in the tabernacle. As I make my way down the aisle, I offer a prayer for each of those parishioners who who have gone before me and who are forever memorialized in brass, as well as for their families. It's both a prayer of gratitude for their example of faith, and of petition of trust for the needs of their soul. I can't help but reflect deeply upon the fact that the very walls of the church are soaked with so many whispered prayers offered throughout the long history of the church until they are drenched with faith, hope and love. It is an honor to make that walk of faith upon my knees, in prayer for so many holy people whose perseverance built the very church that I have come to love, and to join my own prayers to those that have gone before me.
What a wonderful gift to have this opportunity! I have asked God for one thing as I grow older - that I would be able to kneel before him beyond the age when most people have to give that up. I saw a woman in church the other day who was definitely in her 80s, kneeling in thanksgiving for God having healed her (she previously was unable to walk). Yes, Lord!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Anne! I love the "walls of the church soaking up all the whispered prayers until they are drenched with faith ,hope, and love." Love how your simple task of polishing brass name plates is transformed into a kneeling way of prayer. Wow. May God continue to Bless you....Thank you for the gift of your wonderful words!
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