Father Michael Walsh had seen many couples come and go through the doors of St. Catherine’s Church over his 25 years as a priest. Some were clearly in love, while others seemed to be going through the motions. But when he first met Robert and Anna, he felt something special about them.
Robert Miller was a local businessman who owned three hardware stores in town. He had been a regular at Sunday services for years, always sitting in the third row, always putting a $20 bill in the collection basket. Anna Chen was new to the congregation.
She had moved to town just six months ago to work as a nurse at Memorial Hospital. They make such a beautiful couple. Mrs. Peterson, the church secretary, often remarked whenever Robert and Anna came for their pre-wedding meetings.
Father Michael agreed. Robert, with his tall frame and kind blue eyes, seemed to compliment Anna’s petite figure and warm smile perfectly. They had come to him three months ago, hand in hand, asking if he would officiate their wedding.
We want a traditional ceremony, Robert had said, squeezing Anna’s hand. Something meaningful and sacred. Anna had nodded enthusiastically.
Yes, something we’ll remember forever. Father Michael noticed that Anna spoke with a slight accent. She had mentioned growing up in a small town outside of Shanghai before moving to America for nursing school 10 years ago.
Her English was excellent, though sometimes she struggled with certain religious terms during their meetings. I’m still learning about Catholicism, she admitted during one of their pre-marital counseling sessions. My family was not religious, but I want to embrace Robert’s faith.
Her eagerness to learn touched Father Michael. He gave her books about Catholic traditions and was impressed when she came back with thoughtful questions. Robert beamed with pride whenever Anna demonstrated her growing knowledge.
As the wedding day approached, St. Catherine’s Church buzzed with activity. The Women’s Guild decorated the altar with white roses and lilies. The chore practiced wedding hymns.
Mrs. Peterson printed the programs that listed the wedding party. Robert’s brother as best man, Anna’s cousin as maid of honor, and four friends as bridesmaids and groomsmen. Everything is coming together beautifully, Father Michael told the couple at their final meeting, one week before the wedding.
But that same evening, something unusual happened. Father Michael was locking up the church when he noticed a woman standing in the shadows near the Statue of Mary. At first, he thought it might be Anna, coming back for forgotten papers.
But as he approached, he realized this woman was older, perhaps in her fifties. «‘Can I help you?’ Father Michael asked. The woman jumped slightly.
«‘I’m sorry, Father. I was just praying.’ She had the same accent as Anna. «‘The church is always open for prayer, but it’s getting late,’ he said gently.
