Could This Have Been An Angel?

My Angel of Mercy
(This story happened in September of 2007. I wanted to bring it back for the anniversary of Father Baker's death this July 29th.)

I had the opportunity to experience God's good grace.

As my day unfolded, I knew I wanted to stop and pray at the crypt of Father Nelson Baker, a saintly priest who founded Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity. He also built the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory which was consecrated in 1926. Father Baker died on July 29, 1936. His cause is up for sainthood and he is confirmed with the title of Servant of God.

As I walked into to the Basilica, I noticed several people praying at different areas of the church. I slowly and reverently approached Father Baker's crypt, which was located in the grotto within the Basilica.

I knelt down to pray. I closed my eyes and began to ask God for a healing of my grandson Jude. Suddenly, a calmness and stillness came over me. I truly felt God's presence.

With a slight awareness I could feel someone nearby. I began to hear soft taps on the kneeler next to me and sensed this person needed my help.

So I opened my eyes and slowly glanced over my shoulder.

A man, seated in a wheelchair, was trying to read the intercessory prayer that was printed and taped to the top of the kneeler. As he strained his eyes, I noticed his wheelchair kept him from getting a clear view of the prayer.

I asked him, "Would you like a copy of that prayer? It's on a prayer card and I can get one for you?" He shook his head in approval.

I quickly got off my knees, picked up a prayer card off the table to the left of me and gave it to him. He looked straight into my eyes and said, "Please, place this prayer card on Father Baker's tomb."

I followed his orders.

As he closed his eyes in prayer for a moment, I too bowed my head and offered my prayers for his private intentions. Then he opened his eyes and nodded to me; he was giving me consent to lift the card and hand it over to him. I willingly reached for the card and delivered it into the hands of this pious man.

I then proceeded to tell him I was here praying for my grandson who was very ill.

He said to me, "What is his name?"

"Baby Jude", I replied. "Can you please pray for him?"

With a wink of an eye and a smile on his face he responded, "I will pray for him."

"What is your name so I can also pray for you?", I requested.

"My name is John", he acknowledged.

I prayed for John that day and asked God to grant him the desires of his heart. My act of mercy may have been to lend a helping hand to John, but John may not have realized what an act of mercy he presented back to me. His willingness to pray for Baby Jude, amongst his own trials and tribulations, made a lasting impression on me. I will never forget the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye.

Could this have been an angel sent from God?

I saw something very special in the eyes of this humble man. Reverent, believing, angelic, pure in heart are all words that I could use to describe him.

This man came to the Basilica to possibly pray for a healing for himself or maybe a loved one, but in return he also prayed for the intentions of someone whose heart was searching for a healing. He said a prayer for a complete stranger.

As I walked away from the crypt I turned to look back at him. His head was bowed in prayer and I knew he was asking God to heal Baby Jude.

Was God sending me an angel not only to intercede for me, but to teach me something?

When nighttime fast approached, I placed my head upon my pillow and reflected on what happened to me that day at the Basilica. I thought about how wonderful it is that we can offer intercessory prayers of healing for each other. Even total strangers can pray for each other if we can only reach out and manifest God's mercy.

What lesson did God want me to learn from this?

Could this man have been an angel sent from God to teach me to pray as I ought?

Was God trying to show me His Mercy? Was He teaching me how to be merciful?

I like to think He was.

As Jesus told St. Faustina, "I unite Myself with you, take away your misery and give you My mercy. I perform works of mercy in every soul." (723)


May our God of mercy be with you today and always,







(Kathleen M. Wabick is author of a book titled Open My Eyes ~ you may purchase this book at http://www.treasuresofgracellc.com )