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A stranger in his fifties suddenly approached me, when I left my seat to line up for Communion at the back of the Dominican Church of Saint Pius V, in Providence, RI — across the Providence College Campus — on August 8, 2012.
“It is so cold here! Are you leaving the Church?” he asked me. “No, I’m lining up for Communion,” I replied.
The temperature was comfortable, but he was freezing, and I felt the cold wave which I perceived as a spiritual sign.
“What am I supposed to do now?” he asked. “Are you receiving Communion? Line up,” I suggested. “Are you Catholic?”
“I am, but I have not practiced for long,” the stranger replied. “Perhaps you should take Communion after consulting a priest,” I recommended. The man became sad because he was attracted to the Eucharist like a compass needle to the North Pole.
“What are you doing in the line?” he asked me. “I’m receiving Jesus,” I responded.
“Are you very thirsty for Jesus?”
“Yes, I am …” he promptly asserted.
“Line up, receive Jesus, and consult a priest, as early as possible,” I advised him.
We were the last two communicants. The celebrant gave me Communion, then stepped down with a host to meet the stranger.
“What am I supposed to do?” he asked the celebrant. “Are you Catholic, sir?” asked the Dominican. “I am, but I have not practiced for a long time.”
“Are you thirsty for God?”
“Yes, I am very thirsty!” the stranger responded.
They dialogued briefly, and I observed the Dominican making the sign of the cross on the communicant’s forehead and place a host in his mouth.
The communicant asked the celebrant “What should I do?” “Swallow the host,” he replied.
Stunned, I returned to my seat surrounded by a shield of Grace.
“Thank you. I’m very happy!” the stranger jubilantly told me after the mass. “How can I continue to enjoy this peace and happiness?” he inquired. Ask the celebrant for spiritual guidance during the social hour, I suggested.
Who was that mysterious man?
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I left Saint Pius V Church in awe, jubilation and inspiration after Saint Dominic’s feast on August 8, 2012.
“Manuel, many faithful were in the church, but the Man Thirsty for God elected you for Eucharistic guidance. I want you to draw people to Me. The Holy Trinity is grooming you through Suffering for a noble mission in the Roman Catholic Church.
Pursue Sciences of God, because the Sciences of Man strengthen your intellect in this transitory world, but the Sciences of God give you eternal wisdom. When you study Sciences of God, I give you continual feedback and Grace. Continue to listen to the Dominicans, because they are sharp of tongue and intellect, and participate in the Eucharist.
Manuel, I am the Holy Spirit and I had told you ‘Your suffering is your treasure.’ God wants to forge an alliance with you that Satan won’t dare to challenge. Surrender to Me and I will guide you in your mission.”
I surrender to Thy Holy Spirit!
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Manuel Silveira 