Hello, World. It is Mother's Day, and I went out for a coffee. I have no prior plans for today, nothing overly productive; I just wanted to have some time for myself. So, as I sipped this Spanish latte from this stool facing the glass window of the new coffee shop in our area, let me write down my experience when I visited the relic of St. Charbel Maklouf last month.
One of my besties told us about her recent experience with the relic of St. Charbel. A few weeks later, our parish posted on its social media page the schedule of the visit of St. Charbel's relic in our area. I took down the calendar on the upper right corner of my workstation and jotted down the date. Though I do not have a particular prayer request and reason to visit, I promised myself that I would attend the event.
On April 24, Friday, after my volunteer work at the public library, I walked for less than a kilometer to reach the church. When I got there, the mass for St. Charbel had just concluded, and the place was overflowing. I bought a mini rosary from the vendor outside and waited for instructions from the organizers. I saw one of our neighbors and her kids moving to fall in line for the priest's anointing of the Holy oil and viewing of the relic.
A few minutes later, I was the next in line. Our parish priest blessed me with the holy oil and also touched the mini rosary I was holding.
I wasn't praying for anything at all, but the moment Father Joseph blessed me and placed the Holy Oil on my forehead, a sudden burst of energy went through me. It was as if a weight had been lifted. I started to feel emotional as I walked towards the relic.
In a profound moment, I began to cry in front of the relic. There was absolutely nothing on my mind at that time. I got confused why I started welling. "Bakit ako umiiyak??"
A few seconds later, I walked towards the pews and sat. I had to sit because I couldn't control my emotions. I sobbed. I cried like I haven't cried in a decade.
I wasn't crying because I felt hurt.
I wasn't crying because I was praying for something.
I was crying, but my analytical mind could not fathom why.
It was a release.
There had been a few videos where I had seen people who uncontrollably cried after a part of their body that was tense was released through a massage or protocol. The therapists on these videos said it was a release of tension, fear, anger, and grief. Their bodies were finally able to let go of these trapped emotions.
Looking back, I believe that's what happened to me. There was no physical movement, but the Holy Oil and the presence of the spirit of God released all of these emotions. I was crying uncontrollably while seated. Clueless at that moment, I allowed the tears to flow. Minutes passed. People came and went. And when the tears stopped, I stood up and left.
Despite the heat of the wind and sun at noontime, I walked out of the church feeling so good.
There really is something profound about the St. Charbel experience. God worked on this saint, the priest, and everyone who was present there. The Holy Spirit was undoubtedly the power behind the experience.
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