The Road To Heaven

 

  I had dreamed of going to Montana for years. In fact, it was on my bucket list. Halfway through the vacation, my family and I drove from the southern border of Montana to the northern border to hike in Glacier National Park. It was one of the most beautiful drives I have taken. I was drinking Diet Coke and belting out song after song on my "Jesus Jams" playlist as I wound through the mountains and open meadows. Every turn in the road was more beautiful than the last.

 This road was definitely less traveled.  I only occasionally passed other vehicles. The road was a series of ups and downs that kept my heart racing to the beat of the songs.  At times, the road seemed to climb straight up, and all I could see were the blue skies above me and puffy white clouds.  I couldn't even see where the road was taking us.  I smiled widely, turned to my daughter in the front seat, and said, "I don't know where this road is taking us, but it feels like we are going straight to heaven!"  We just kept laughing and singing as these ups and downs continued for an hour.  It was an exhilarating ride.  I felt like God was with us the whole time as we admired the beautiful world He created.

  Even now, I smile when I think about that drive. Glacier Park was stunning.  Glacier was the destination, but I feel the journey there is an important part of the story and has taught me a lot as well. The twists and turns, the highs and lows, and the inability to see what lay ahead seemed to capture my life metaphorically.  I am doing my best to steer toward heaven, but I feel the journey is incredibly important.  God's beauty is all around me through every high and low, every valley, and every green meadow.  God is right beside me. The path I am on often looks like the road less traveled, but with God beside me, I know it is the path He has chosen for me.

-Susan

Cathedral of the Holy Cross

 

   While vacationing with my family in Boston, we had the chance to attend Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was a stunning cathedral, a masterpiece of architecture and art. The impressive stained glass windows, each depicting a different biblical story, bathed the cathedral in a kaleidoscope of colors. What caught my eye before Mass began was the gold angels in front of the ornate white altar. A crucifix in the center of the altar reflected the radiance of God's love. Statues of the saints, each a work of art in its own right, were scattered throughout the cathedral. This cathedral was magnificent, but that wasn't what took my breath away. 

 The art was beautiful, but more importantly, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging and reminding me that the angels, saints, and Mary celebrate the Mass with us.  Even though I know this is true, I can sometimes take it for granted. Looking at the gold angels above me, I was filled with awe, wondering how many angels were present during the Mass. This reality was nothing short of a miracle. I could experience heaven's glories by opening a church door and entering Mass. God's generosity and love are more than I ever deserve.

 Celebrating Mass with my children by my side always fills me with joy. Feeling the presence of my heavenly family beside me lifts my happiness to new heights. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude and thank God for this moment. This is the family vacation of my dreams!

-Susan

The Fragrance of Love

 

 

  I visited this beautiful lavender farm while on vacation.  I love the smell of lavender, and its promises to bring a night of relaxation and restful sleep. Unfortunately, this technique isn't always successful. The day's stress cannot always be rubbed away with a fragrant lotion. True peace has only one source--God's love.

  God's love can heal my heart when broken and calm my racing thoughts.  The balm of God's love releases my angry thoughts.  It encourages me to breathe hope into my future.  God's love softly touches my face and tells me, "Don't worry, dear child, we will face this together,"

  The peace of Christ can be found in a pew, a field, on a mountaintop, in your own home, in a smile, or in an outstretched hand. Christ's peaceful love is yours for the asking. Just open the door to your heart and say, "Lord, you are welcome here.  Please come in.  I want you in my life,"

-Susan

  

  

Vacationing With God #15-Bascilica di Santo Antonio, Padova Italy

 

  I have always been drawn to St. Anthony. He has always felt like a dear friend to me. Do I ask for his intercession when I lose things? Definitely more times than I would like to admit, but that's not why he is one of my favorite saints., but rather his commitment to preaching the gospel. He was a fantastic preacher! So, with the feast day of St. Anthony being June 13th, I thought I would share my experience of visiting the Basilica di Santo Antonio in Italy.

 The basilica is beautiful, with large frescoes depicting the life of St. Anthony. However, it was not the artwork that made my heart race. The moment I walked into the basilica, I felt like I had entered a good friend's home. There is no mistaking Saint Anthony's presence. I wish I could explain it more clearly, but my heart felt warm as if I had just been embraced by a close friend. I prayed by his tomb and then by the relics displayed behind the glass enclosure. His holy tongue and vocal cords still remain intact hundreds of years later. I imagined how amazing it would have been to listen to St Anthony teach and preach with the power of the Holy Spirit! He touched the lives of so many during his lifetime and still continues to do so.

 I would like to share a portion of one of St. Anthony's prayers. "You who made the darkness and the light put forth your hand and touch my mouth. Make it like a sharp sword to utter eloquently your words, make my tongue, O Lord, like a chosen arrow to declare faithfully your wonders. Put your Spirit, O Lord, in my heart that I may perceive. Put it in my soul that I may retain. Put it in my conscience that I may meditate. Lovingly, holily, mercifully, clemently, and gently inspire me with Your grace."  There is no doubt that God answered "yes" to his prayer.  

-Susan

Hands Up

 I had the opportunity to escape to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains this past week.  While visiting I attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Hands up this was a wonderful experience. 

  As my family and I approached the church, an usher greeted us with a warm hello and asked us if we would like to receive holy water. “Yes!” I replied and held my hands up as he placed a small amount of water in them so I could bless myself with The Sign of the Cross.  As I sat in the pew before Mass began, I was intrigued with a banner of St. Joseph near the altar.  St. Joseph held the child Jesus in one hand and the other hand was stretched out.  

  The deacon gave a very moving homily centered on the need for our hands to be held up in life, so that we may receive the graces God desires to bestow upon us.  Filled with God’s graces we would be equipped to lend a hand to those who needed our help.  If we walked through life with our hands in fists or our arms crossed tightly across our bodies, we would be unprepared to receive God’s graces and the gifts of the Holy Spirit  

  After receiving Communion my eyes were again drawn to the banner of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph held Jesus close to his heart with one hand, and the other hand was open to God’s plan. As I continued to pray I realized that I had just received Jesus in one hand, and I too, must keep my other hand open and available to God.  I felt overwhelmed with God’s Presence. He had inspired me to come and receive Him high up on these mountains.   I was in awe of the beautiful mountains He had created, but I felt more than experiencing the beauty around me; He needed me to hear this important message of love.  

  My stay on this mountain will not be long, but it will be remembered.  Refreshed and strengthened,  I will come down the mountain holding my hands up. In fact, my hands look so much different to me now.  I realize that God will touch my hands with graces.  God allows me the privilege of holding the Body of Christ in them.  Now as I look at my hands, they appear to be stronger and more beautiful than I have ever remembered.  

-Susan

  

Vacationing With God #13- The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

   As I walked up the steps to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., I could feel my  excitement growing.  I was so thrilled to be back again!  Thirteen years ago I had walked up these same steps with my parents and husband and had consecrated my heart and life to Jesus, through Mary.  At the time, I thought I was making a pilgrimage to this beautiful shrine as a sign of my love for Mary.  What I have since realized, is that this act was just the beginning of my pilgrimage with Mary.  A pilgrimage that has encountered challenges, pain, and suffering, as well as moments of joy, growth and love.  I asked Mary to dwell in my heart; day by day, little lesson by little lesson, she has been teaching me how to draw closer to the heart of Jesus.
  If you have a chance to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, you will not be disappointed.  It is the largest shrine in the United States. There is a beautiful cathedral on the main floor and the basilica has over 80 little chapels as well.  You could spend hours visiting the many different chapels filled with artwork dedicated to Mary and her loving influences upon the world throughout history.  It would be difficult to leave this shrine without being touched by Mary's heart.  I think a visit to the basilica could best be summed up by two little prayers from St. Teresa of Calcutta, "Lend me your heart, dear Mother" and "Keep me in your most pure heart."

-Susan

Vacationing With God #12 - St. Anthony's Chapel, Pittsburg Pennsylvania

  From the outside, St. Anthony's Chapel appears to be a typical yet beautiful brick church  with a statue of St. Anthony standing between two towering steeples.  However, once you step inside this chapel you will discover there is nothing typical about this church.  St. Anthony's Chapel has more than 4200 relics contained in 800 different cases.  Outside the Vatican, no other church contains this many relics. There were relics from the twelve apostles, a piece of wood form the true cross, a piece of wood from the table of the last supper. There were bones, skulls, remnants of clothing from hundreds of saints including St. John the Baptist, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Anthony, St. Lawrence, St. Stephen, St. Catherine, St. Nicholas, St. Sebastian, St. Frances, St. Phillip Neri, and the list goes on and on.
  My children were taken back.  Their previous exposure to relics was very limited.  My son asked, "Why would someone take a saint's bone? "
  I explained that the Church has a long history of venerating sacred objects from the saints.  The relics remind us to pray for the intercession of that saint.  We remember their example of living out the Gospel and they inspire us to do the same.
 Then my son said very quietly, "I'm not sure if I can believe these relics are real."
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because if these are all real, how come this church isn't filled with people?  Why wouldn't everyone want to see this?"
  "That's a good question," I said.  "The streets sure were crowded back by our hotel with everyone going to the Pirates baseball game."   
  This church shouldn't be packed just to see the relics, though, the church should be packed in order to spend time with Christ in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  Our actions always speak volumes of what we hold dear.  As I looked around at the hundreds and hundreds of relics from so many different saints, I wondered if this wasn't a small taste of heaven.  In heaven we will be together amidst all the saints worshipping God. As I knelt down to pray I couldn't help but smile when I imagined how incredible that day will be.

-Susan

Vacationing With God #11- San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas

  I wanted to share with you my experience at the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, Texas.  I had traveled there in early December.  The Cathedral was beautiful inside and out, and I'm sure I will be sharing many of the interior pictures in the future.  Today, though, I wanted to share what occurred outside the cathedral.  Projected on the facade of the cathedral was an approximate 24 minute projection mapping show demonstrating the rich history of San Antonio.  It was a stunning visual delight as the cathedral changed from one scene to the next perfectly accompanied by music.  The show itself was not "spiritual", but it demonstrated the struggles and victories that this cathedral and it's parishioners had witnessed since 1750.  Through the joys and sorrows of life, God is always in our midst.                                                             

This is the San Fernando Cathedral before the show begins.

Let the show begin...

-Susan

Vacationing With God #10- St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal, Canada

  It was Spring Break, the car was loaded, and we were ready for our spiritual pilgrimage.  We were headed for Mount Royal, St. Joseph's Oratory.  With hope and confidence we came to honor  and pray with St. Joseph and St. Andre.  We could see the large dome from miles away.  The Basilica was massive, and impressively sat on top of Mount Royal, but once inside, the humble love of St. Andre continues to touch all who visit.
  Brother Andre (as he was known during life) was not well educated and had poor health, so he was given the job of greeting those who came to the door.  He had a very special devotion to St. Joseph and encouraged others to ask for St. Joseph's intercession.  Over the years, many healings were attributed to those who visited Brother Andre.  Inside the Basilica there was an entire wall of crutches/canes that were left behind from those who were healed.  Brother Andre always insisted the healings came from God or through the intercession of St. Joseph's prayers.
  One of my favorite quotes from St. Andre is "It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures."  St. Andre please pray that we may all remain small brushes in God's hand.

-Susan

Vacationing with God #9- San Giovanni Rotondo, The Friary of St. Pio

  We drove down the beautiful  Adriatic coastline alongside rolling mountains adorned with grapevines and olive trees.  The Shrine of St. Pio sat on top of the highest mountain.  The narrow road up the mountain was probably better suited for cows or donkeys, but St. Pio is near and dear to my heart, and I would have gladly walked up the mountain to see where he had lived.
  Excitedly, we walked into St. Pio's friary.  His friary was completely preserved.  His bed, chair, desk, the tiles he walked on were all completely protected with glass.  We saw the many altar cloths used while he said mass.  Chills ran through me as I saw the how the blood from the stigmata on his hands was present on all the cloths.  We also saw the many pairs of brown gloves he used, his different vestments-everything tinged with blood.  There was an entire wall of thousands of letters, rosaries, and holy cards that people had sent imploring his prayers and blessings.  We also saw the cell where he lived and died and the window he used to lean out in order to bless the crowds.
  Slowly, we descended the stairs leading to St. Pio's tomb.  Flowers were everywhere.  As I knelt beside him to pray,  I could almost feel his presence in the room.  I prayed for my family members in need of healing and I asked St. Pio for guidance.  I asked him what I could do to be a better follower of Jesus.  My prayer was answered almost immediately.  In my mind I heard four words- "Prayer, sacrifice, suffering and confession." As I repeated these words over and over so I would not forget his precious advice, I received one more piece of advice, "Learn from the wounds."  As I continued to pray, I could feel my tears running down my face.
  Before leaving St. Pio's Shrine, I stopped to write a personal letter to St. Pio again asking for his intercession with family members.

 I placed my letter into the offering alongside so many others.  Amazingly, St. Pio still receives thousands of letters.


-Susan