So we started the day celebrating a beautiful mass with 10,000 other pilgrims from around the world – lead by a bishop from Vietnam and noticing groups near us from Nicaragua, Africa and the Philippines.
After mass we decided to jump at the opportunity to help break a World Record. Here at the conference, they are trying to break the world record for the most number of people contributing to a paint by number mural. The record is 2,262 painters. When we checked in to paint this morning we painters #2,054 and #2,055. We painted for a few minutes and then passed the brush onto the next eager painter. It is going to be an amazing mural of Pope Francis with a group of kids and it will be displayed on the side of one of the inner-city Catholic schools here in Philly. Pretty cool…
We decided to head back to the exhibit hall to check out the booths and their giveaways (and yes we ended up with a excessively high number of pens and keychains!) We spoke with some amazing religious and clergy from all different types of orders and congregations. But the definite highlight of the exhibit hall had to have been when we spotted and met Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla. Are you ready for a little history lesson? Remember, we’re both teachers- so here’s your lesson for the day: She is the daughter of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. St. Gianna Beretta Molla lived from 1922-1962. She was a doctor and she and her husband were the parents of 4 children. When St. Gianna was pregnant with their 4th child (Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla), they discovered that she had a uterine tumor. She insisted that her baby be saved, even if it meant compromising her own health. Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla was born on April 21, 1962 and her mother (St. Gianna Beretta Molla) passed away a week later. She is the patron saint of mothers and physicians and pre-born children. We met Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla and she was the sweetest, most sincere, most soft-spoken person that we have ever met. She extended a special blessing to our girls (via the video camera in my hand) and was appreciative of all parents for the love and support that they give to their kids. What an amazing encounter! She definitely had a special presence about her.
So we left the convention center to drop off bags of acquired goods that all of the nuns handed us when they found out that we were teachers (coloring books, rosaries, books, etc… still don’t know how we are going to fit it all on the bus on Monday). As we were heading back to the hotel we got turned around in the incredibly narrow streets of Philly, took a wrong turn and ended up on the same street as St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Earlier in the day the remains of Saint Maria Goretti (which are normally on display in Italy) had arrived in Philly. We decided to head in to check things our and they were allowing people to come and venerate her remains. She was only 11 years old at the time of her death in 1902, but is remembered for having forgiven her killer prior to her death. She was in a glass casket and we were invited to touch the casket, hold pictures and prayer cards up to it, and pray for her healing intercession. She is the patron saint of forgiveness, purity and back pain. Needless to say, as parents of young girls and a sufferer of back pain, we definitely had a special connection with St. Maria Goretti. What an incredibly powerful and moving experience! Going to hold onto those third class relics for a long time as well.
As we sat and ate our 3rd Philly Cheesesteak of our visit for lunch (along with a cannoli and black &white cookie), we realized that within an hour , we had had very personal and holy encounters with 2 modern day saints. Wow, the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways!!! I guess getting lost in a new city sometimes pays off.
We returned to the convention center to listen to Cardinal Luis Tagle who is from the Philippines. He was a dynamic speaker who spoke about the family serving as the home for a wounded heart. He highlighted that we are all wounded in some way (physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially), but the home (not a house) is a place to heal and comfort wounds. He stressed that a home is not measured by square footage or acres of land, but rather home is a gift of a loving presence. He then went on to discuss Jesus as the ultimate healer of wounded hearts. Not only is He the healer, but Jesus Himself was wounded (branded as crazy, ridiculed, betrayed, humiliated, etc.). Cardinal Tagle stated that Jesus heals by being wounded Himself (he knows our wounds). Our Church (The Body of Christ) is the home for a wounded heart. He finished by stating that the Church of wounded members , though the Jesus’ healing, becomes a Church of solidarity and compassion. What a great and inspirational speaker!!!!
We completed our day at the convention center with listening to talks entitled “Sacred Balancing Act: Busy Lives and Family Spiritually” and “Navigating the Net: The Benefits and Obstacles of Being an Online Family”. Both sessions offered great advice on how to add to the spirituality in our lives and being a proactive parent when it comes to online activity.
Some key points: Even if we’re extremely busy with activities and responsibilities, weaving faith into daily activities- like praying together as a family- normalizing faith will help everything fall into the correct place. Regarding online activity; help our kids make informed, moral decisions when using technology. Parents need to have regular and intentional conversations with their kids regarding screen usage.
After the events at the convention center, we headed to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul where we delivered more intentions from friends and family to Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Pope Francis will be saying Mass on Saturday at this Cathedral- if you’ll be watching Pope coverage on T.V., look for white ribbons in a grotto/shrine outside the church. Thank you to all who sent an intention, we are truly humbled to be trusted to deliver your prayers.
We finished our full day with dinner outside with friends from the Archdiocese and a delicious gelato dessert.
After mass we decided to jump at the opportunity to help break a World Record. Here at the conference, they are trying to break the world record for the most number of people contributing to a paint by number mural. The record is 2,262 painters. When we checked in to paint this morning we painters #2,054 and #2,055. We painted for a few minutes and then passed the brush onto the next eager painter. It is going to be an amazing mural of Pope Francis with a group of kids and it will be displayed on the side of one of the inner-city Catholic schools here in Philly. Pretty cool…
We decided to head back to the exhibit hall to check out the booths and their giveaways (and yes we ended up with a excessively high number of pens and keychains!) We spoke with some amazing religious and clergy from all different types of orders and congregations. But the definite highlight of the exhibit hall had to have been when we spotted and met Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla. Are you ready for a little history lesson? Remember, we’re both teachers- so here’s your lesson for the day: She is the daughter of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. St. Gianna Beretta Molla lived from 1922-1962. She was a doctor and she and her husband were the parents of 4 children. When St. Gianna was pregnant with their 4th child (Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla), they discovered that she had a uterine tumor. She insisted that her baby be saved, even if it meant compromising her own health. Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla was born on April 21, 1962 and her mother (St. Gianna Beretta Molla) passed away a week later. She is the patron saint of mothers and physicians and pre-born children. We met Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla and she was the sweetest, most sincere, most soft-spoken person that we have ever met. She extended a special blessing to our girls (via the video camera in my hand) and was appreciative of all parents for the love and support that they give to their kids. What an amazing encounter! She definitely had a special presence about her.
So we left the convention center to drop off bags of acquired goods that all of the nuns handed us when they found out that we were teachers (coloring books, rosaries, books, etc… still don’t know how we are going to fit it all on the bus on Monday). As we were heading back to the hotel we got turned around in the incredibly narrow streets of Philly, took a wrong turn and ended up on the same street as St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Earlier in the day the remains of Saint Maria Goretti (which are normally on display in Italy) had arrived in Philly. We decided to head in to check things our and they were allowing people to come and venerate her remains. She was only 11 years old at the time of her death in 1902, but is remembered for having forgiven her killer prior to her death. She was in a glass casket and we were invited to touch the casket, hold pictures and prayer cards up to it, and pray for her healing intercession. She is the patron saint of forgiveness, purity and back pain. Needless to say, as parents of young girls and a sufferer of back pain, we definitely had a special connection with St. Maria Goretti. What an incredibly powerful and moving experience! Going to hold onto those third class relics for a long time as well.
As we sat and ate our 3rd Philly Cheesesteak of our visit for lunch (along with a cannoli and black &white cookie), we realized that within an hour , we had had very personal and holy encounters with 2 modern day saints. Wow, the Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways!!! I guess getting lost in a new city sometimes pays off.
We returned to the convention center to listen to Cardinal Luis Tagle who is from the Philippines. He was a dynamic speaker who spoke about the family serving as the home for a wounded heart. He highlighted that we are all wounded in some way (physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially), but the home (not a house) is a place to heal and comfort wounds. He stressed that a home is not measured by square footage or acres of land, but rather home is a gift of a loving presence. He then went on to discuss Jesus as the ultimate healer of wounded hearts. Not only is He the healer, but Jesus Himself was wounded (branded as crazy, ridiculed, betrayed, humiliated, etc.). Cardinal Tagle stated that Jesus heals by being wounded Himself (he knows our wounds). Our Church (The Body of Christ) is the home for a wounded heart. He finished by stating that the Church of wounded members , though the Jesus’ healing, becomes a Church of solidarity and compassion. What a great and inspirational speaker!!!!
We completed our day at the convention center with listening to talks entitled “Sacred Balancing Act: Busy Lives and Family Spiritually” and “Navigating the Net: The Benefits and Obstacles of Being an Online Family”. Both sessions offered great advice on how to add to the spirituality in our lives and being a proactive parent when it comes to online activity.
Some key points: Even if we’re extremely busy with activities and responsibilities, weaving faith into daily activities- like praying together as a family- normalizing faith will help everything fall into the correct place. Regarding online activity; help our kids make informed, moral decisions when using technology. Parents need to have regular and intentional conversations with their kids regarding screen usage.
After the events at the convention center, we headed to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul where we delivered more intentions from friends and family to Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Pope Francis will be saying Mass on Saturday at this Cathedral- if you’ll be watching Pope coverage on T.V., look for white ribbons in a grotto/shrine outside the church. Thank you to all who sent an intention, we are truly humbled to be trusted to deliver your prayers.
We finished our full day with dinner outside with friends from the Archdiocese and a delicious gelato dessert.