Tonight was a unique Easter for me. Having been invited to my daugher, Cynthia's, Easter Dinner, I was glad to go and enjoy all of my grandkids (15 in all) on this sunny Easter Sunday. With my 6 month old on my lap and other loving grandkids hanging on me, I thorougly enjoyed every thing. Of my six children, three were present with their spouses and children. It was totally enjoyable. But each person was enjoying their moments and having a great time until Cythia announced we were going to say the noven of Mercy and the Chaplet of Mercy -- as a family. Brian the husband of Cynthia gave good example as he started the novena and Chaplet of Mercy on his knees!
Even 4 year old Celina said the responses perfectly from memory. Brian says: "Eternal Father, we offer you the Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in attonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world." Then he says 10 times: "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and the whole world." Celina chimed in the responses. Enfant baptism is surely seen here as a true wonderful thing. Cynthia's kids have a deep faith. Even ............- less than two - kisses a crucifix and carries it around like a doll. But he loves these images of Jesus. When he sees a medal on me, he takes it into his hands and puts it to my lips to kiss. I have never seen such devotion in a two year old.
What was the most marvelous thing in this Easter Family Prayer was this: there was a joyful unity of mind and heart and spirit in this family uniting in prayer. The Holy Spirit was binding all of us together. Fr. Peyton was so right: "The family that prays together stays together!"
Never until this momen were we all one! We before all enjoyed ourselves individually in being social; but this was different. This was holy; a unity of our beings...and a total cresendo of love for the Lord!
It all reminded me of my mom, 65 years ago. No matter who was over, friends or relatives, after dinner, she made us all kneel down and say the rosary. Dishes had to wait. No matter if our friendss were protestant; they had to say the rosary too. There were no conscientious objectors. Mom was the loving law! Boom! That was it. And there was that unity then. My sweet mom died saying the rosary. Her very last words were: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.." She took two small breaths and never exhaled. She died in the arms of Mary, her heavenly Mother! Our Lady never forgot that my mom said the rosary every day of her life! I have never seen a more peaceful and holy death as my mom's. When here vault was lowered into her grave, snow began to fall and fell into the grave and on the top of her vault. The snow complete coverd her name: "Carmen Zammit"! God was blessing His beloved daugher with the blessing of snow into the very grave. Now that is love!
Let us pray together as a family. No more unity can be experienced as a family.
Happy Easter, love, pio
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