When I was young I recall visiting my cousins with my family. We would usually go over to visit them on special occasions.

One day when we where visiting, my fathers rosary fell out of his pocket on to the floor. My uncle saw this, laughed, and scoffed at it by saying, “You don’t actually still say that do you?”

My father didn’t say much at the time, but when he got home he was very upset. I recall him yelling, “You don’t mock the rosary and the Mother of God like that!” Every now and then he would reiterate this until my brother and I were in our late teens. Some times my father just didn’t understand how our uncle (my mothers brother) could get so many things in life and get away with mocking the rosary. My father is a man of conviction and at that time he worked very hard for everything we had. He said the rosary daily, but our family had very little sometimes, sometimes only our faith in God.

Well it wasn’t long after, when I was about 20, that I had a life-changing dream.

I can recall seeing an image of a gold and white alter with a cup on it. I remember a figure being questioned and utterly worried and confused. At this time in my dream, I wasn’t sure why I was seeing this or if I even should be. Regardless, I tried hard to listen and make out what the man was being questioned about. I could barely hear a voice ask, “What is the mystery of faith?” I noticed that the man was having trouble answering the question. It also appeared as if he was being given as much time as he needed. When I saw this I wanted to tell him the answer and I wanted to help him. But, the dream quickly changed to that of my grandmother crying on a couch. This image was so strong that it woke me up in the middle of the night.

When I woke up I had a very strong feeling that something was wrong. My gut reaction was so strong and intense I didn’t know what to do about it. I sat in bed, worried for a while. I quickly debated whether or not to wake my mother up and tell her that something is wrong and to call her mother. I thought something was wrong with my grandmother. Unsure of what to do, I made the choice to go back to sleep.

In the morning, while still in bed I heard the doorbell ring. I woke up again with a bitter taste in my mouth and I still felt that something was terribly wrong. It wasn’t long after and I could hear my mother come up the stars. I then woke up and met her in the hallway. She told me that something bad had happened. I hugged her and told her that I already knew that. Then she told me that her brother (my uncle) was dead. Shortly after that, I went down stairs to see who was at the door. I found my grandmother at the door. She had traveled 100 miles by car to visit us and tell my mother in person. It wasn’t long and we all found out that my uncle had committed suicide. Everyone was shocked at the news, but I wasn’t, everything made sense to me that morning.

Since then I have always paid attention to the hymn during mass, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again” In my dream, it only took me a few seconds to remember this because it was a hymn from mass, and thus easy to recall. I know it may sound strange, but just writing that hymn out is hard for me and I had to pause for a moment.

Anyway, my father, connected this situation to the rosary, but he was kind enough only to mention it and to be respectful of the situation.

I guess if my uncle would have had faith and a rosary in his pocket he would never of did what he did.

I haven't told this to anyone before, but I thought it was about time that I did. I can only hope that it helps someone with their faith.

kev

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), February 09, 2004

Answers

"I could barely hear a voice ask, “What is the mystery of faith?” I noticed that the man was having trouble answering the question ... “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again”"

Perhaps this will help: The Mystery of Faith, or Mysterium Fidei, doesn't refer to phrase "Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again" but it refers to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. For years going to the Novus Ordo Mass, I thought the same simply because the way the new Mass flows, it sounds like that phrase is what the Mystery of Faith is refering to. The Mystery of Faith is the Blessed Sacrament.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 09, 2004.

hmm.. well perhaps my interpretation was wrong. regardless, that was the question

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), February 09, 2004.

Actually, on second thought, are you sure about this? Doesn't the priest say,” let us profess the mystery of faith. Christ has died..."

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com)), February 09, 2004.

Sounds like something unique happened to you; what you describe about your father seems to make sense.

It's a bit easier to see what the Mystery of Faith is when you see it in context in the old Latin rite, which translates like this:

"Similarly, when the supper was ended, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to You, He blessed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: "Take and drink of this, all of you, this is the chalice of my blood of the new and eternal covenant: The Mystery of Faith: which is being shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins"

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 09, 2004.

"I can recall seeing an image of a gold and white alter with a cup on it. I remember a figure being questioned and utterly worried and confused."

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 10, 2004.

Kev, A good thing happened to you. Treasure it.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 10, 2004.

Sounds like it; sounds your dad is a good guy; follow his lead I guess.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 10, 2004.

Here, this may help:

"The Catholic Church has always devoutly guarded as a most precious treasure the mystery of faith, that is, the ineffable gift of the Eucharist which she received from Christ her Spouse as a pledge of His immense love..."

--Pope Paul VI

Just as a casual observer from this end, reading what you wrote above makes more sense with this recognition as opposed to less sense, for what it's worth.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), February 10, 2004.

Kev, you were very blessed to have such a strong, loving father with such tremendous faith. A strong faith can be very inspiring, especially in children. As a child I can remember going into my parents room before bedtime to kiss my parents goodnight and finding my father on his knees at his bedside in prayer. This left a lasting impression on me too.

Your uncle is in good hands. His judge is the best there is - Truth itself. He will get a fair shake. It's obvious your dad knew this by the Christian and compassionate way he handled this very difficult situation.

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), February 10, 2004.

May God bless you and continue to keep you in strong faith.

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004.

"First of all we wish to recall something which is well known to you but which is altogether necessary for repelling every virus of rationalism, something to which many illustrious martyrs have witnessed with their blood, while celebrating Fathers and Doctors of the Church constantly professed and taught it; that is, that the Eucharist is a very great mystery. In fact, properly speaking, and to use the words of the sacred liturgy, it is the Mystery of Faith.

Mysterium Fidei Encyclical on the Holy Eucharist His Holiness Pope Paul VI Promulgated on September 3, 1965

-- jake (j@k.e), February 10, 2004.

This reminds me of another great rosary story. Allow me to tell it.

At the end of the last century (make that two ago) a young man was on a train when an older gentleman got on and sat down beside him. He was dressed in well kept peasants clothes. The older man pulled out a rosary and started to pray it. The young man said, "you don't believe in such superstition, do you?"

The old man responded, "You don't?"

The young man said, "have you not heard of the new wonders in science that show that stuff to be nonsense?"

"Tell me about 'this' science." said the old man. The young man proceeded to tell the man about all the wonders and breakthroughs of science for the rest of the ride, and offered to go into more detail by mail. The old man agreed that he would like to hear more about this science. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his card which he handed to the young man. Eager to contact the man again he looked down and read the card. It read, "Louis Pastuer, Director, Insitute of Scientific Research, Paris France."

Your dad is in good company. God bless you.

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004.

dano.. my father is still alive, but thank you and what i wrote is not a 'story'. it is exactly what happened to me. sometimes i have very symbolic dreams that come true.

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), February 10, 2004.

I never meant that your father was dead. Sorry if I gave that impression. Also, mine is not just a story as well, it really happened. From this (true) story I conclude that Louis Patuer was a great man, from your (true) story I conclude that your father is also a great man. Your father is in good company, that is, in the group of people that are great men.

When was the last time you told him that, by the way? As a father, I would love to be told that from my children.

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004.

Dano,

I love your story about Pastuer. Is it true? If so where did you see it.

The story speaks to me as I have a brother and father that are brilliant scientist types and I have gently tried to bring them back to the Church. Both are baptized protestants and i have spoken to them about my enthusiasm for my newfound Catholic faith. I would be happy for them to attend any church at this point. My brother takes his family to a Unitarian "church" that had gay pride Sunday recently. I worry about his two children (who are not baptized) but have pushed my evangelization to the max he will tolerate.

-- David F (dqf@cox.net), February 10, 2004.

Yes, David it is true. I got it off of a pamphlet for the rosary, it had a reference for its source but I remember the story not the reference. I may still have it at home though, so I will look around tonight. If I find it, I will send you the information. May I send you an email at the address you put at the bottom of your posts?

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), February 10, 2004.

Sure Dano and thanks.

-- David F (dqf@cox.net), February 10, 2004.

David F said: I would be happy for them to attend any church at this point. My brother takes his family to a Unitarian "church" that had gay pride Sunday recently. I worry about his two children (who are not baptized) but have pushed my evangelization to the max he will tolerate.

David F, from what I've seen, it would be better for these kids to be going to no church at all than something like this Unitarian church you're describing. What they have now will likely lead to apathy toward all churches, since there is no standard of right and wrong or absolute truth, so the kids will think "why bother with this"? But if exposed to no church at all perhaps God will reach them in their "neutral" zone. As it is, they are being influenced by evil.

Does your brother and his family read the Bible, or would he permit you to buy a book of Bible stories for the kids? Perhaps this is the best way to go, and pray that the parents will read it to them, or when they are old enough, that the kids will read it on their own. The one advantage for you that I see in this situation is that your brother may be open to stuff about the Bible, at least for his kids. If he realizes that it will teach them respectable behavior patterns, he might be for it.

My mom babysits some kids, and she shows them videos called "Book of Virtues." They talk about things like patience, wisdom, obedience, etc. without any specific references to the Bible or Christianity. These might be helpful as well.

God bless and I will pray for your situation. I am considering Catholic conversion myself, and anticipate some heat from my Protestant relatives and friends. It is a tough road, but hey, Jesus never said this was going to be easy!

-- Emily (jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), February 11, 2004.

Kev,

what makes you think the person you dreamed being questioned was your uncle?

The Christian Yahwist

PS: to me Gold and silver signify purity. The cup signifies a covenant, also danger.

Last year, my daughter dreamed a cup. She was told everytime she saw it, her life would be in danger.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), February 11, 2004.

The reason I know it was related to the rosary is because I could sense the presence of the mother of God there at the alter. The connections are just too strong to actual events that it was without question my uncle.

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com)), February 12, 2004.

Dano, tonight I am going to help my father out with his rent. When I hand him the money I will tell him just what you said. Thanks

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), February 12, 2004.