“No, I Am Not Catholic” Our Lady Visits a Protestant

BY DAMIEN MURPHY

At Fatima visits, we often say that Our Lady goes where she wants. This was brought home to me at an assisted-living apartment block in Taylor, Texas.

After waiting in the lobby for thirty minutes the lady who asked for the visit was in the hospital. Out of politeness, we told the manager of the apartment block the sad news, she asked who we were.

“Catholic missionaries;” was the reply. “We bring a statue of Our Lady— the Mother of God—to people’s homes, say prayers and watch a video on the Message of Fatima.” Then we asked her, “Are you Catholic?”

“No,” she replied with a look of disgust, “I am not Catholic.”

“I can show you the statue,” I said half joking, half serious.

For the first time, her suspicious attitude changed. “I would love to see the statue,” she replied.

I was taken aback by the answer; her request was evidently sincere. She continued, “I’ve seen Protestants do missionary work, but never Catholics. I would like to hear what you have to say.”

Still a little surprised, I brought the statue into her office where it was crowned by her. Then we carried the statue in a little procession to the common room, where we showed the video. This mini procession brought a sizable group into the common room. For a little bit, the manager—don’t forget, she was not Catholic—gazed into the eyes of the life-like statue.

By now, her suspicious, almost unfriendly attitude had completely changed. She had almost become like a child, exuding happiness and contentment. Following the video, I explained how we always finish with three Hail Marys. “Oh,” she said,

“I don’t know how to pray Hail Marys.” I lent her a prayer book to follow and with other Catholics in the room, we then prayed the three Hail Marys.

The manager was so happy that she even wanted to prolong the visit and delay the scheduled Bingo game, but others dissuaded her. All were touched however by the unexpected visit of Our Lady. To remind them of her visit, each received a small picture of the Blessed Mother.

Our Lady really does go where she wants. She knows where she is needed, whether that is to comfort, to encourage or in this particular case, to make a plea for conversion. ■