Every day on the calendar is some saint's feast day, so we should have known that it being Sunday wasn't the only reason to celebrate. :)
Blessed Francisco was probably trying to get our attention, given that we were with my dear friend Juliana who speaks fluent Portuguese, just like he did.
But instead, we were just excited to cross the street and gather at the house together after mass. It had been forever since we had spent time with one another! :)
Greg and Juliana are a wonderful, inspiring Catholic couple. He used to be the guitarist in my band, and she has been a dear friend to me from the moment we met (which was about a year or so ago).
Michael was the chef that day, and he served us salmon that was absolutely exquisite! I couldn't resist snapping a photograph of his creation before it went into the oven. (Don't you just love the little lemon wedges he stuck in each corner?!)After lunch, I begged Greg to play the green piano for us -- and he did! His playing style is always upbeat and happy music, and before long, both Greg and Michael were singing out loud to us!! Haha.
As evening approached, the four of us went into the Prayer Room to pray the Liturgy of the Hours Evening Prayer. I was thankful to have two copies of the Christian Prayer book for us to use. But first, I would offer the Cord of St. Philomena to them.
Juliana was particularly excited, for she has always wanted one! She credits St. Philomena as a powerful intercessor who helped bring her and Greg together. Of course, Michael and I feel the same way about our beloved St. Philomena, and we've been wearing her Cord every day since the first week we met!
The red and white Cord is an outward sign of a person's devotion to St. Philomena. She is a special patron of young couples and--because she was a virgin martyr--she helps defend our chastity and purity. The white on the Cord symbolizes her purity, and the red on the Cord symbolizes the blood she shed defending her purity.
There is a simple procedure for the blessing and investiture of the Cord, which I have on paper. Since we were not in the presence of a priest, Juliana spoke the words while tying on Greg's Cord. Then Greg spoke the words while tying on Juliana's Cord. Michael provided the necessary holy water by subsequently sprinkling us all with a considerable amount, reminiscent of a hard downpour of rain!
What fun that was!
I pray that more people visit soon to obtain her Cord from me, since presently I am well-stocked! It takes about a month for me to write and request Cords from her Sanctuary over in Mugnano de Cardinale, Italy.
St. Philomena, please protect and guard this beautiful Catholic couple!
