Monday, January 8, 2024

Celebration of the Three Kings




Yesterday, the NCW celebrated the Epiphany. The children with their families organized the celebration, and people were invited. Flyers were sent out to the communities regarding the celebration. It turned out to be a great success. Even the weather was sunny! 


Thursday, January 4, 2024

I Stand With Israel

Although I walk in the Neocatechumenal Way, this is my blog and does not express the views of other members walking in the Way. Neocatechumenal Way, Insider's View is the view of only one person walking in the Way. My political views may be different from the others walking in the Way. Nevertheless, they are my political views and mine alone. 

God has promised the land to the Jewish people. God is truth and will always keep His promises. In addition to promising land, He also called the Jews His chosen people. It was through them that Christ was to be born. And today, they are still His chosen people for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. 

Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. 

This truth is irrevocable. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 

CCC 839 ......To the Jews "belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ:, "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

The Land of Canaan was given to the Jews over 3000 years ago, but the Jewish people who inherited the land were not the Jews who were enslaved in Egypt. The Israelites who conquered the seven nations of Canaan were the descendants of those enslaved in Egypt. Even Moses never stepped on the Holy Land. He was only allowed to view it from afar.

Numbers: 14:22-23 not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated with contempt will ever see it. 

God was true to His word because He is the God of truth. None of the Israelite slaves in Egypt entered the land of milk and honey. It was their descendants who conquered the seven nations of Canaan and took the land. That land became Israel. 

Fast forward into the first century. Jesus was incarnated as a man. He was the Messiah whom God had promised to His chosen people, but many Jews did not recognize Him. Many rejected Christ as the Messiah. Many of the Jews believed in a political Messiah similar to Moses. Just as Moses rescued the Israelites from slavery and oppression in Egypt, the Jews believed that their Messiah would rescue them from Roman oppression. So, they waited for a political Messiah and did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. 

In 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the Jewish temple and scattered many of the Jews to Europe and other neighboring countries. The Romans renamed the land of Israel to "Palestine" because of their hatred of the Jewish people. The Romans wanted to wipe out the name of Israel out of hatred of the Jews. Yet, some believed that the Jews were driven from the Holy Land because they rejected Christ, the Messiah. In fact, some of the Traditional Jewish religious thought stated that the Jews had been exiled from their homeland as a punishment from God and could only return in Messianic times. Just as the original Israelites slaves did not inherit the land for their sins against God, so the Israelis were driven out of the land for their sins in rejecting Christ. 

During World War II, Nazi Germany persecuted many Jews. Approximately 6 millions Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany. And again, the Jews cried out to  God to save them just as they cried out to God to save them from Egyptian oppression. History repeats itself. Many of the Jews who returned to the Holy Land to escape death and persecution in Europe were the descendants of the Jews who were displaced after the Romans drove them out in 70 A.D. 

As more and more Jewish descendants returned to the Holy Land, they came into conflict with the Arabs who were also living there. The United Nations intervened and tried to resolve the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews by dividing the land of Israel (known as "Palestine"). In 1948, the Jewish people accepted the UN resolution, took their part of the land that was given to them by the UN, and declared their state "Israel." The Arabs could have also done the same thing. They could have taken the part that was given to them by the UN and declare their Palestine State, and a Palestine State would have existed in 1948. Instead, seven Arab nations attacked Israel in 1948. Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia (under the Egyptian command), and Yemen attacked Israel. Israel won the 1948 war. More than 3000 years ago, the descendants of the Israelites fought against the seven nations of Canaan to establish Israel, and in 1948 the descendants of the Jews fought against seven Arab nations to restore Israel. Again, history repeats itself. God has not abandoned His chosen people. 

There may be some brothers who will argue that we Christians are now God's chosen people. Both the Jews and the Christians are His chosen people. The Jews are known as Old Israel, and Christians are the New Israel. Christianity came from Judaism, and our Founder Jesus Christ was Jewish. Therefore, we are also God's chosen people. Israel is here to stay. For 75 years, seven 2-State proposals were given to the Palestinian authority so that a Palestine State would exist alongside Israel. All seven proposals were rejected by the Palestinians. You would think that a 2-State proposal would be the solution to the conflict. Indeed it is. The problem, however, is that the Palestinian Authority never wanted a 2-State solution. They want only a Palestine State WITHOUT Israel. In other words, they do not want Israel to exist. So, I stand with Israel because they are fighting for their existence against a terror organization that wants to annihilate both the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

And for those who believe that Israel is the occupier, see the video below: 


                      

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Happy New Year!

The year 2023 is finally gone! Goodbye 2023. Welcome 2024! We hope the new year will be better than the previous year in that we receive more blessings from God. We are also hoping and praying for an Archbishop. Hopefully, we will get one this year. The evangelization of the Pacific region still continues. We hope to add more brothers with us when it is time to participate in the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea. The NCW in South Korea must be excited to have the WYD in their country. 

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal

 The Guam youth left on July 27 and July 28 for World Youth Day. We joined with the islands of Saipan, Hawaii, Palau, and Kiribati. We met in Madrid Spain and came together as the NCW of the Pacific Islands. We went on pilgrimage together in Spain and then traveled to Portugal ahead of Pope Francis. 

World Youth Day began on August 6th. There were an estimated 1.5 million youth there. There were also 30 Cardinals, 700 Bishops, and 10,000 priests at the event. The message that Pope Francis gave to the youth is to not be afraid to change the world. Yes, it will be the youth whom we hope will change the world into a better place. 

When the calling came for the priesthood and the convent for girls, over 1500 young women stood up answering the call to be a nun and over 2000 young men stood up answering the call to the priesthood. Of that number, 46 youth from the Pacific Islands stood up. There were 31 girls and 15 boys from the Pacific Islands. Of those youth who stood up 4 came from Kiribati, 12 from Hawaii, 1 from Saipan and 29 from Guam! Kudos to these youth from the Pacific Islands and to all the youth who stood up for the calling. The Neocatechumenal Way continues to move forward into promoting vocations for the Catholic Church. Congratulations!

The next World Youth Day will be in Seoul, South Korea. This is good news because South Korea is closer to Guam. Hopefully, the next time around, we can book our tickets on Korean Airlines earlier. 😀

In further news, the NCW in Guam will continue to evangelize the Pacific region. We will be evangelizing the Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, and other islands in the Pacific. So, hopefully, we will  have more Pacific islands joining us in the next World Youth Day in South Korea.

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Jesus Christ v. Jesus Barrabas

 According to The Catholic Miscellany, which is a magazine from the Diocese of Charleston:

In the first volume of Pope Benedict XVI’s Jesus of Nazareth, the pope emeritus notes that Origen, an early Church Father, maintained that many manuscripts of the Gospels identified Barabbas as “Jesus Barabbas” until the third century. Bar-Abbas means “son of the father,” and “son of the father” was a title attributed to messianic – or those presumed to be the messiah – figures. Pope Benedict XVI also observes that the Gospel of Matthew describes Barabbas as “a notorious prisoner.” He cites this as evidence that Barabbas held a prominent place in the resistance and argues that Barabbas was likely the leader of the uprising that had landed him in prison.

These points taken together, the pope asserts, suggest Barabbas was also a messianic figure. That is, like Jesus, some people believed Barabbas to be the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. So, not only were Jesus and Barabbas charged with the same crime, they may have shared the same first name, and been assigned the same title. (Though Jesus of Nazareth is the only one to have claimed – accurately, we might add –  the title for himself.)

 After walking in the Way for many years, I realized that we are taught to be martyrs or to die for the other. Spouses are often taught to die for each other. We often hear to choose Christ rather than Barabbas. To turn the other cheek rather than to retaliate. 

At any rate, this is my opinion of Barabbas. I am entitled to express my opinions despite disagreements from my brothers in the community. I am surprised that Barabbas not only has the first name “Jesus,” but his surname is Aramaic, meaning “son of the Father.” Barabbas was a freedom fighter. He fought for the Israelites’ freedom from Roman oppression and stood against the injustices brought to his people. Fighting for freedom and justice is not a bad thing. On the other hand, Jesus is also a freedom fighter, but his way of fighting differs from Barabbas. Christ’s way freed us from death.

Depending on the situation, some have chosen Christ and some chose Barabbas. If a wife lives in an abusive environment where her husband consistently beats up on her, would she be advised to turn the other cheek and die for her husband? What if the husband beats up on the kids? Would not this be the time to choose Barabbas? By this, I mean that the wife should turn to the civil authorities to have her husband locked up in jail. Sometimes, it is necessary for couples to separate if there is a clear and evident danger. 

History has also shown the outcome of both situations. Martin Luther King Jr. chose Christ, and racial segregation fell. Mahatma Ghandi was not Christian, but he chose a path similar to Christ. A British soldier slapped Ghandi, and Ghandi did not retaliate but gave the soldier his other cheek. Consequently, Ghandi managed to get the British out of India. However, would this way work in defeating Adolf Hiltler and Nazi Germany? I highly doubt it. The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-17). There is a time for peace and a time for war.

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. Independence Day is important to many Americans for it is the birthday of the United States of America. The American colonists in 1776 chose Barabbas’ way to bring about the birth of a nation. They fought against the injustices and tyranny of the British under the rule of King George III. Today, some would even argue that the American colonists were in the wrong for taking land from the Native Americans and claiming it their nation.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that although the Jewish people at that time chose Barabbas over Christ, God the Father freed them both. As a Christian walking in the Way, it is always best to choose Christ because choosing Him means choosing mercy for those who are guilty of sins because in the end, we are all Barabbas. According to Catholic Moral Theology:

Ultimately, the moral of this story is not that we would have been better off to let Barabbas suffer and die.  As noted at the start, this is not about correctly identifying who is deserving of mercy and who is deserving of punishment.  Because, in choosing the Son of the true Father, we are choosing the one who has mercy in mind for all, including even those involved in murderous rebellions.  The great beauty of this scene with Jesus and Barabbas is that, while the earthly authority offers to release only one prisoner, our God offers to release them all. 

Friday, June 23, 2023

Convicted For Cash: An American Grand Scam

 The following article can be found here.

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Frank X. Panico and Xs in the Sky Films present “Convicted for Cash: An American Grand Scam,” a film about a Catholic priest falsely accused and imprisoned for life.

June 21, 2023 by Frank X. Panico and X

in the Sky Films

Editor’s Note: This is our first “video post” at Beyond These Stone Walls. This 44-minute documentary film was created by Frank X. Panico, an award-winning short filmmaker whose work has been featured on EWTN, NewsMax, Salem Now and multiple other venues. Here is Frank X. Panico:

Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness, but expose them.”

— Ephesians 5:11

I created this short documentary film because I believe that railroading, convicting and imprisoning a Catholic priest through lies and deceitful tactics is an unfruitful work of darkness. The railroaded Catholic priest I refer to is Father Gordon MacRae. This documentary film is entitled “Convicted for Cash: An American Grand Scam.” It exposes the plight of a man of God wrongfully imprisoned.

When I learned of this true story, it drew me in. I have known Fr Gordon MacRae for less than a year, but after researching this story I feel that I have known him forever. I have studied every detail, and I have never personally vetted a subject of my films so extensively. There were many credible sources before me: The Wall Street Journal, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, The Media Report, The Catholic World Report, all bravely taking up the case of this wrongfully imprisoned priest against an avaricious tide of Catholic scandal and media coverage.

During production of this film, I often felt as though unseen spiritual warfare was in play. The evil one and his minions would have liked nothing more than for me to abandon this cause. I rejected such thoughts and came to know the truth. Father MacRae is an innocent man and the victim of a sham trial. I felt called to help someone who was absolutely falsely accused through a rogue communist-like legal system.

Don’t get me wrong. This is not the only reason I produced this film. I also found its subject matter to be intriguing and marketable. Not long after Tucker Carlson aired footage from the January 6th affair, an innocent prisoner caught in its net was released from prison just days later. I pray for the same result that this innocent man might be freed.

I am immensely pleased with the documentary, Convicted for Cash.” Salem Now has picked it up so obviously they were pleased with it as well. As a daily communicant, I continue to pray at Mass for the well being and release of Fr. Gordon MacRae, a brother in Christ. Please view and then share Convicted for Cash by clicking on the link or the image below.

Who Is Frank X. Panico?

A native of Queens, New York, Frank X. Panico moved to Hollywood at age 24 to pursue a film industry career where he studied under the tutelage of Michael C. Conley, of the California Scholastic Press. Skilled in the art of Feature Film Screenplay Writing, Frank earned a position as Assistant to Gary Roberts, Executive Vice President of 20th Century Fox Films Legal Group. In 2005, Frank relocated to Florida where he founded his own production company, Xs is the Sky Films. Frank Panico’s films have been featured or distributed by EWTN, Pureflix, Right Side Broadcasting Network, Christian Cinema, Amazon Plus, Amazon Prime, Salem Now, Epoch TV, and the One America News Network.

Frank’s first film, Lambs Among Wolves, received a nomination at the Treasure Coast International Film Festival. His second, A Different Kind of Church, earned distribution on Amazon Prime and Christian Cinema. In 2017, Frank Panico’s powerful biopic, My Friend Raymond, was nominated for two awards including “Most inspirational Documentary” for which it won the category at the International Christian Film Festival. It also won awards for “Best Local Film” and “Most Inspirational Film” at the Fort Myers Film Festival and “Outstanding Faith-based Film” at the FAM Film Festival and the Cherub Film Festival.

In 2020, Frank completed work on Leaders for Life featuring interviews with movie legends Kevin and Sam Sorbo, Executive Producers of the film. In 2021, Kevin and Sam produced Frank’s groundbreaking film, Systematic Deception, aired by NewsMax and One America News. Currently, Frank Panico is promoting his Feature Film Screenplays, Stoneflower and Jaws of Justice, and three more recent documentaries, Unabashed, Crushed by the Woman, and Trans Wreck. We thank Frank Panico for his work on Convicted for Cash.

NOTE — NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE: In 2022, after Father MacRae had served 29 years in prison, compelling exculpatory evidenced surfaced. It turns out that former Keene, NH sex-crimes Detective James F. McLaughlin was censured for “falsification of records” in another case four years before MacRae went to trial. Previous Supreme Court rulings required that this be revealed to defendant MacRae and his legal counsel before trial. Instead, it was kept hidden. Since then, a Court has secretly sealed McLaughlin’s police file from further discovery. Nonetheless, news reports in New Hampshire reveal that the detective had a long history of police misconduct including allegations of falsifying evidence, threatening witnesses, tampering with tape recordings, selective investigation, and lying under oath. He briefly appeared on a list of dishonest police that is now also under judicial seal in New Hampshire.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Another Jungle Falsehood

 Tim Rohr has never been to any of our Easter Vigils even when Bishop Apuron was Archbishop of Agana. This is why one should never listen to Rohr. According to Rohr:

As noted in my initial post, while the NCW has "been saying all along that we are allowed to celebrate the Easter Vigil in small groups," the fact is that it - the NCW in Guam - doesn't. And it didn't even before Fr. Romy's recent directive. Instead, the NCW in Guam has historically gathered all the communities together for a single "large-group" celebration of the Paschal Vigil, albeit in their own unconsecrated space. 

During Apuron’s time, we did celebrate the Easter Vigil in small groups. The Barrigada communities celebrated the Easter Vigil together on their own. Chalan Pago Communities celebrated the Easter Vigil on its own. The Agana communities and Tamuning communities also held their own celebrations. We were not together as one single large group. At that time, there were enough RMS priests to celebrate the Easter Vigil in small groups.

It was during Archbishop Byrnes’ time that the NCW celebrated the Easter Vigil as one single large group. Why? Because at that time, we no longer had enough RMS priests to hold small group celebrations. Why? Because Archbishop Michael claimed that Guam does not need RMS priests, so many of them were rejected, and they found new Bishops who took them in. According to the Pacific Daily News:

"The main reason for closing the seminary is that it is just not a sustainable model for the Archdiocese of Agana," he said, adding that the RMS model envisions a type and formation of priesthood that works in a place like Denver or Miami, for example, where there are millions of Catholics.

 The reason this blog is called, “Neocatechumenal Way, Insider’s View” is because this blog belongs to a member of the NCW who has been walking since 2007. I am that member. As a member, I can blog about my own experiences in the Way. Rohr, on the other hand, cannot. Therefore, when Rohr said that the NCW in Guam has historically celebrated the Easter Vigil as one large group with all the communities present, this is false. It is a false and incorrect statement from Rohr. I was walking since 2007. I was there when we celebrated in small groups. 

Furthermore, Rohr stated:

So The Diana says that because the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not found explicitly in Scripture then neither do the practices of the NCW have to be found explicitly in its Statutes. (Note: See how The Diana equates the NCW Statute with Dogma, the Dogma of the Assumption!)

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary officially became a dogma in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Before 1950, the Assumption of our Blessed Mother was a TRADITION…. Yes, that is correct….a TRADITION practiced and passed down by Catholics throughout the generations. The Catholic Church has always followed the Apostolic Traditions (which were practices passed on), Sacred Scripture, and the teaching Magisterium of the Church. 

Likewise, the NCW continued to practice its TRADITION before the approval of the Statutes. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were fully aware of these practices because they also participated in those traditional practices. See the story here

There were only a few minor changes made to the NCW traditional practices AFTER the Statutes were approved. For example, one of those changes made was the way we were to receive Holy Communion. Previously, the members would receive the Body of Christ sitting down. After the approval of the Statutes, we started receiving the Body of Christ standing. Everything else that were NOT mentioned in the Statutes remained the same and continued to be traditionally practiced. 

Scott Hahn once said that if you want to find the truth, go straight to the horse’s mouth to find it. Scott Hahn became a Catholic because he found out the truth by going through the written works of the Church Fathers and Early Christians, who were all Catholics. He did not turn to any anti-Catholic website. In the same way, if one wants to learn the truth of the NCW, then speak to the members who are currently walking in the Way. That is plain simple common sense.

 

Sunday, June 11, 2023

A Matter of Interpretation

It was brought to my attention that Tim Rohr was using my posts to mislead people. According to  Rohr (the bold is mine):

Diana goes on to copy a portion of an article from Crux and emphasizes the following:

An exception exists for “national churches,” like the U.S. Catholic community at St. Patrick Church in Rome, and for members of the Neocatechumenal Way, whose Vatican-approved statutes allow for small-group celebrations of the Easter vigil.

Sounds pretty authoritative, coming from Rome and all. However, the excerpt is from a document distributed by the "episcopal council of the Rome diocese" to the Rome diocese, which is why "the U.S. Catholic Community...in Rome" is mentioned.

Rohr misleads people by focusing that the letter was to the Rome Diocese. However, what I placed in bold clearly showed that the Statutes of the Neocatecumenal Way allowed for small-group celebrations of the Easter Vigil. Does Tim Rohr think that the NCW in Rome have a DIFFERENT approved Statutes? Rome was referring to the Statutes that all NCW worldwide have.  Rohr goes on to say: 

Meanwhile, the episcopal council of Rome appears not to have read the NCW Statutes which say nothing about "small-group celebrations of the Easter vigil." 

 So what? Nowhere in Scripture does it mention the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, where did we get this teaching? Well, certainly not from Tim Rohr. We got this from the Holy See...the Vatican. Tim Rohr is simply taking a stance that all Protestants use against the Catholic Church. Who is Tim Rohr to dictate what should be and should not be in the approved Statutes?

In the same way, just because one does not see "small-group celebrations of the Easter Vigil" in the Statutes does not mean that we should not celebrate it in small groups. The NCW have been saying all along that we are allowed to celebrate the Easter Vigil in small groups, and it was that document from the Episcopal Council of the Rome Diocese who interpreted the approved Statutes in that way. So, why should one listen to Tim Rohr? The NCW received its instruction and interpretation from the Holy See since the approval of its Statutes. And the NCW recognize only Pope Francis...not pope Tim.

Friday, June 9, 2023

To Anonymous Poster Who Posted on June 5th

 I will not publish your comment under one of my previous post posted a few years ago because it is a hateful comment. Do not condemned someone to Hell, especially when it is a known fact that the two brothers have repented. They also served their time in prison and have not committed any crimes after that. Please be civil when posting under this blog.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Congratulations Matteo Mattarazo

 The following article can be found here.

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On their way to priesthood, meet the new transitional deacons

Two new transitional deacons will be ordained on Sunday, May 21, in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will ordain Andrew M. Rubinich of Fairfield, N.J. and Matteo Matarazzo of Italy at a noon Mass. 

In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry — deacons, priests, and bishops. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons. To learn more about the call to the priesthood, visit the Office of Priestly Vocations of the Archdiocese of Newark. 

Jersey Catholic sat down with the men to discuss what inspired them to answer their calling to priesthood. 

Andrew M. Rubinich, 24 

St. Thomas More Parish in Fairfield, N.J. 

Immaculate Conception Seminary Seton Hall University 

What inspired you to discern the priesthood?  

I was inspired to discern the priesthood by the witness of several good and holy priests, the example of faith-filled parish ministry leaders, and the joy that comes with knowing Jesus in the family of faith. In growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, coming to know his tender love and care, falling in love with his Church and the Sacraments, and committing to live as a member of his Body, I heard the still, small voice of Jesus calling me to be a man who lives for others in service of the Church of Newark. 

What saints have influenced your discernment the most and why?  

Saint Therese of Lisieux has been a dear patroness who has carried me throughout my journey. She brings the Gospel to us in noble simplicity…a “little way of love.” She modeled this little way so faithfully by the way she lived, appreciated God’s grace in souls, and knew herself and her call before God and others, giving herself entirely over to it. I hope and pray I can do the same. Also, her special love and intercession for priests (and seminarians) has been a great source of encouragement for me in my journey. 

Matteo Matarazzo, 30  

Holy Family of Nazareth, San Sisto, Perugia, Italy 

Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary 

What inspired you to discern the priesthood?   

I was inspired to the priesthood after two events, the first was a confession that I made after three years of having left the Church where, the priest instead of telling me that I was living a very disordinate life, he told me that God loved me and that He was not scandalized by me. On the contrary, God was loving me even more and was waiting for me at the door like the prodigal son’s father. The second event was a meeting in Naples in 2012 organized by the initiator of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Arguello, with many youths of the Way from all over Italy. In this meeting, the Word of God was proclaimed followed by some preaching. One of the things that stuck with me was: “God is asking you today the same thing that he asked the Virgin. Are you willing to receive in you the Holy Spirit and to do my will? You can say yes and follow where that FIAT [Latin word for “Let it be done”] leads or say no and go back to your old life.” In that meeting, I felt to give my FIAT and begin a journey led by God that after a time of discernment, it became clear that God was calling me to become a priest.  

What saints have influenced your discernment the most and why?  

The saint that I kept the most in my heart during the discernment period and to whom I am still very devout and grateful to, is Saint Rita of Cascia. She felt a vocation from a young age like me. When I was 4 or 5, I used to play celebrating mass and cooking. She went after a different vocation and became a wife and mother. I decided to enter the world of restaurants and to have my own business eventually (it never happened; the Lord had different plans). After she remained a widow and her children died the call came back to her and after some rejections, she finally entered the monastery. I arrived at a moment of desperation where my life lost all joy and I felt stuck in a horrible routine. At that time, I was fired. After a few days of prayers with my Neocatechumenal Community I was invited to the meeting in Naples where I heard the call again but this time, I accepted it.