Thursday, July 04, 2002 10:58 AM

You are dragging your feet

On the eleventh of March 2001 we (Virginia and myself) attended a

meeting in Perth Western Australia organised for Vassula Ryden to give
a presentation. We had never heard of Vassula Ryden. We certainly
thought it peculiar for someone to claim that they were in constant

communication with God. Indeed, it is fair to say that it is not the sort of meeting we would ordinarily attend. However, having seen the advertisement we somehow seemed compelled to attend.

While both of us were nominal Catholics – that is to say, we were raised as Catholics, we certainly did not attend mass any more frequently than once a year, at Christmas time. It is fair to say that we believed in God, but it was very impersonal and very remote. Furthermore, each of us are twice divorced (yes, four failed marriages between us).

During the meeting an extraordinary thing happened. I was absolutely convinced that I had seen, in Vassula’s face, the full face of Jesus (as depicted on the shroud). It was indeed reassuring to read later on that this apparition was not mere imaginings on my part for other people around the globe have experienced the same phenomena.

We took a book home with us after the meeting and began reading. Well we could not put it down. Every day I would take it to work and at every opportunity read more and then re-read, and so on. I really could not quench my thirst.

We immediately knew it was a message from God. I don’t know how we knew. We just knew. It could only have been the Grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through us to give us that understanding – not through any merit of our own.

Obviously, we began to return to the Sacraments, not only Mass but Confession, the Adoration, the Eucharist, the Stations of The Cross, and so on. We actually attend Mass 4 or 5 days each week, a Holy hour of Adoration each week, we try to say the Rosary every day as well as other prayers. The list is endless so to keep this brief we will mention just a couple more things.

Shortly after returning to the Church I was asked if I would like to do some readings. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. While reading on the Feast day of St Vincent de Paul I became exceedingly choked, very close to tears, and certain that all the congregation present would be embarrassed by my tearfulness (Australian men don’t cry). I informed my Parish Priest after Mass, that I would no longer read at Church for fear of being an embarrassment to his congregation. You see, for some weeks, whenever we had friends visiting our home, being so eager to spread the Good News about True Life in God. I could not contain myself from reading them a passage from TLIG, but embarrassingly, I would burst into uncontrollable tears, after reading only a few lines. All my guilt over past sins (and present sins) were welling inside me – like a dam about to overflow, bursting at the seams.

In any event, the very next day (I had also just been introduced to “The Little Way – St Therese of Lissieux”) a reading in my Missal hit me straight between the eyes, as it were. As St Therese had said to one of her friends, “you are dragging your feet – you must stop dragging your feet – Jesus forgave you years ago. ” Immediately I felt liberated and just knew that not only would I not succumb to tears again while reading in Church but that I would read with much joy. Of course I couldn’t wait to tell my Parish Priest (to his surprise – being less than 24 hours since I told him I could no longer read) that I would love to continue reading – and so I did, and continue to do so.

To this day, through the Grace of the Holy Spirit, I have engaged in numerous parish activities including being nominated and appointed as President of our Parish Council – and none of it has been my doing – it is extraordinary the way God works.

We could tell you about numerous things. A woman returning to confession for the first time in over 30 years. An atheist calling for a priest on his death bed, visions, and many, many more; including purification (I continue to be amazed at the depths of my wretchedness, wickedness, and immeasurable weakness), the odour of incense experiences, the innumerable blessings, the physical healing experiences, and general insights, etc, etc, etc.

We feel so unworthy because of our sinful natures but God knows we are trying to be better and our lives continue to change ever so dramatically since the Holy Spirit has brought TLIG into our lives. Praise the Lord, Blessed be The Lord, Glory be to God Almighty.

May God Bless you,

Love,
Kieran John Forde
Virginia Longo