Close encounters
of the P.O.D. kind....

Last night was the bi-weekly meeting of the Secular Oratory in Pittsburgh. After the prayers and talks were over, but before recreation, Fr. Bryan, who is the Father Prefect, showed us one of the more precious things in the Pittsburgh Oratory- a first-class relic of the Venerable ! Now to most people, perhaps even many Catholics nowadays, it wouldn't be much- a small clump of white hair. But to actually see- and touch- hair from that wise and holy head... wow.

Then today, out of the blue, I was given a rosary bracelet that had been blessed by the Holy Father, by a priest who is studying in Rome and is heading back there next week. (Prayers for his safe travel would be most welcome.)

I just hope this doesn't mean that I'm going to be hit with a lot of temptations and difficulties and I'm being strengthened ahead of time!