"It's a Beautiful Life"- Genevieve Galvan Frenes

Day 7 – Yesterday on social media, The Pope requested all Catholics to pray the rosary on this specific day, March 19th, the feast of St. Joseph.

So, today at 1 pm (9 pm Italian time), my husband, daughter, son, and I sat in our living room and said the rosary together. Years ago, I had brought pamphlets explaining the rosary and how to recite it. Although we said the prayers of the rosary at funerals, it had been some time since we had recited a rosary together on our own. We followed along together and at the end of the rosary, prayed especially for those close to us.

There was silence in our house. No television, radio, or phone in the background. Just the sound of all four of us praying together.

I don’t know how long it has been since my family has prayed together in this fashion. We have always attended mass and prayed on our own, or I used to pray with the children when they were little at their bedside. However, today was special.

Since the Pope called on everyone to pray (and yes, this could be Non-Catholics as well), it made me feel content that others all over the world were praying at the same exact time. The Pope asked us to pray, especially to rid our nation of this virus, which has taken so many lives in other countries.

After we said the closing prayer, we started to leave the room. Rumbling could be heard above as the thunder began. Then, we noticed the rain falling, slowly at first , then it was pouring. As I sat facing the window, I noticed the hail popping off of the wet earth.

After ten or so minutes, the sun came out as the rain continued to pour.

In that moment, I wondered, “Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe God is relieved that we are doing what He’s wanted us to do all along. Praying together, loving one another, and listening to Him.

On this day, when the Pope unified all of us in our own homes and connected us to the world outside ourselves, it was a day I will never forget.

Stay blessed everyone.