Absolution

Tuesday October 25, 2022

     Despite having described the events that have taken place in my life since first attending the apparitions of Our Lady of Emmitsburg at St. Joseph’s in Emmitsburg and the tens of thousands of times I have experienced the 13, 33 and 333 upon the start or finish of ANYTHING related to Our Lady of Emmitsburg there are some events that will just take me down to my knees and leave me with a feeling of complete surrender and love. Today was one of those days.

     I had absolutely no intention of traveling to Emmitsburg today. The thought had never even crossed my mind. I got up this morning and my plan was to attend daily mass at <Home Parish> in <Hometown>. I arrived and the parking lot had a lot more cars than usual for daily mass. It was then I remember that the 8:30 mass would be a mass of Christian burial for a parishioner. I had completely forgotten about this despite the fact there was a note tacked to the door reminding people of this for the past couple of days.

     The note said “All are welcome” but for some reason I did not want to attend a funeral mass for someone I did not know so I said a few prayers for the deceased and decided I would drive to Emmitsburg and attend the 1:30 mass at the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

     I drove to Emmitsburg and I had plenty of time before mass started so I stopped at the Grotto of Lourdes first to pray the rosary. I was not in any way concerned for the time and I took a nice leisurely walk through the Grotto.  I arrived at my favorite spot in the Grotto which is the statue of Our Lady of Fatima which is the spot I took the picture with the Face of Christ shining next to His Mother. I sat on the bench and prayed the entire rosary Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. I also prayed an extra Sorrowful mysteries with the intention of the destruction of evil. I finished and glanced at my watch for the first time since I started and the time was 1:13.

     I left the Grotto and drove straight to the Basilica and when I arrived and parked I noticed another car next to me and it had the license plate of 13. I went in and there were not very many people there. I took a seat and mass began precisely at 1:30. Fr. Ted Trinko, IVE was the celebrant.

     Mass ended and I had a sudden thought that I should go to confession. Actually this thought had hit me several times throughout the day. The priest at the Basilica usually hear confessions after mass but today it looked like they were not. There was no mention. I waited and after about 10 minutes or so Fr. ___ went into the confessional with one of the altar boys. After about 5 minutes the altar boy came out and I went in.

     I confessed my sins. It came time to receive absolution and Fr. ___ extended his right hand over me and then crossed his heart with his left hand. As he did this his sleeve slipped down revealing his digital watch with big numbers that as he gave me absolution displayed the time of 14:33 (2:33).

     This left me numb.

R. C.

Oct. 29, 2022

4:33 PM