Road to Corato – October 5 our “wedding day”…

Leaving Rome, we journeyed north through the peaceful Italian countryside to the picturesque city of Perugia, where we stayed three nights.

Later in the day we were planning to venerate the Santo Anello, the holy wedding ring given to Mary by St. Joseph. Our prayer meditation for the day was:

Let’s give thanks for the institution of Holy Matrimony.

Let us make reparation for all sins against the unity and sanctity of matrimony.

Let us ask for more holy matrimonial vocations fused in the Divine Will to contribute to the extension of the Kingdom on earth.

As Providence would have it, this day was especially meaningful for two of our pilgrims, Claudia and Pepe who were celebrating their wedding anniversary.

So, the stage was set for a bouquet of love surprises the Divine Crafting had prepared for us on the theme of marriage, including a few precious thorns, his tests of our Fiat.

Our coach wound up the narrow streets to the church where we had planned to celebrate Mass. As the church came into view, we were surprised to see wedding guests also arriving! Our tour guide, Paola, went inside to sort things out.

As the groom’s family gathered outside, Fr. Dave went out to wish them well on their wedding day. They were somewhat apologetic at the confusion, but Fr. Dave set them at ease, telling them that their vocation was for a lifetime, and we were not going to interfere with their sacrament. He gave them his priestly blessing, knowing that God had provided the opportunity to do so, trusting that the Divine Fiat would also provide a chapel for us, or at least a room!

When Paola returned, she confirmed that there was no opportunity for Mass at this church. But one of our pilgrims, Alejandra Acuna, whose brother, Fr. Bernardo Acuna, is a priest serving in Italy recommended a shrine nearby that was considered the “Lourdes of Perugia” because of a healing spring there. A call was made and confirmed that a chapel was available, and it was just a few minutes away. Fiat!

As Providence would have it, it was the shrine of the Family of Merciful Love, an order founded by Blessed Mother Esperanza of Jesus. The name of the order certainly underlined our day’s theme of marriage and family.

At the appointed time Fr. Dave and Fr. Mario celebrated Mass for us in the chapel, after which Claudia and Pepe, and all married couples present, renewed their vows. A theme was certainly unfolding. Fiat!

Afterwards, many of our pilgrims hiked to the pool of healing waters, some filling their “jars” from the blessed spring.

As Providence would further have it, the shrine’s restaurant was able to—on the shortest of notice—host our group of 50+ pilgrims for lunch, which as it turned out, was a full 4 course Italian meal, which included the best wine. Perugia is known for its wine, especially its reds.

So, on the morning of our “wedding day”, we had a bride and groom, we had a banquet, we had jars of healing water, and we had surprise wine. Our Lord had provided the elements of the wedding feast of Cana foreshadowing the Kingdom of the Divine Will. It seemed to be a nod from the Lord that we would be on the right path, no matter where the Fiat led us!

To quote Luisa: Your Will is always holy, and in whatever way I will be in It, I will always be fine. (Volume 8, June 25, 1907)

But the day was only half over. There was still Our Lady’s ring to venerate. However, we were disappointed to learn that the Santo Anello was only displayed twice a year, and we had missed it. However when a group of hopeful pilgrims arrived at the site, the priest agreed to show them the ring! What a beautiful surprise from Our Lady! (See EWTN article for more information).

However, there was a group of us who had become separated from that group and were not there to see the ring. We had remained in front of the Cathedral Church of San Lorenzo (the meeting place), where we were consoled to witness a second Italian wedding and were present when the newlyweds exited the main doors.

We had other glorious stops that day, including a much-anticipated gelato break.

In retrospect it was hard not to marvel at the love surprises the Divine Crafting had prepared for us on our “wedding day”, and also for his tests of our Fiat.

“I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

Fiat!