Pace (PAH-chay)

Yesterday I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral for Mass. As always I made my way over to the back, right side of the Cathedral and paused to light a candle in front of the St. Anthony of Padua shrine. Over the years, St. Anthony of Padua has become my appointed patron saint to intercede for me when it comes to my prayerful requests. Over the years he has always given me the feeling that he is with me and hears my prayers. Yesterday was no different.

I lit two candles and stood there quietly asking St. Anthony to watch over all children and to keep those in my life safe, healthy, and successful. I asked him also to help send me understanding about a particular situation in my life that has found my heart hurting. Whenever I pray to St. Anthony I never use those prayers found in the Catholic prayer books. I just use words that are in my heart and I silently speak as if he and I were sitting at Starbucks having a cup of tea (however, he being an Italian saint would probably have a cappuccino).

During the Mass there is a part that is called the Sign of Peace. I stood there, shook hands with my niece, Tara, who was the only other person in my pew. Suddenly I felt a pressence standing near my left side. I looked over to see a small boy standing next to me. He seemed as though he may have only been about 8-years-old. He had large brown eyes, brown hair that swept across his eyes, and an olive-skin complexion. He looked up at me, extended his hand, and with an Italian accent said, "Pace" (PAH-chay). He then walked across the aisle and back to his family that stood five pews behind me, but on the opposite side of the aisle. I wondered why this boy chose to extend the Handshake of Peace to me when he clearly did not go to anyone else's pew for the Sign of Peace.

After receiving communion, I knelt down praying again to St. Anthony, asking for the same prayerful requests as I did when I lit the two candles. I asked him if all would be fine, especially with the situation that has torn my heart. Then, a voice came up from the bottom of my heart and said, "Did you not notice the sign I sent to you? Children will always be a part of your life even though you have none of your own. I sent the boy with the Italian accent...to tell you Peace Be with You...Pace (PAH-chay)."

PAH-chay...Peace...and then there was a calmness that came over me as tears flowed down my cheek.