The Healing Journey

April 27, 2026

As Frank sat in the pew, saying his prayers and waiting for Mass to begin, he looked around at the scattering of people who came through the door. He knew most of them. The faithful who come to daily Mass are a recognizable group. They usually arrive a half hour early to sit in silence before the tabernacle and then stay to pray the rosary.

As he looked at each of them, he said a silent prayer, hoping they’d all be reunited in the heavenly banquet someday. Then, he realized something else: They were seniors, who had been coming to Mass a long time. And they were all carrying crosses. Everyone will carry a cross in life, but as we age, the number of crosses and the weight of the crosses can become even more burdensome.

One woman cared for her husband with Alzheimer’s, and it had been a long hard road for her. Another suffered a stroke and was brought in her wheelchair, accompanied by a fellow using a walker. A few of them could no longer kneel because of arthritis and other infirmities that accompany old age.

One man had a son suffering from addiction. Several — probably more than several — had cancer and were undergoing treatment. Another man’s wife had been hospitalized and needed the care of a nurse around the clock.

Most of them had lost a husband or a wife and were living their so-called golden years alone, so morning Mass was one of the few opportunities they had to spend time with one another … and with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You’ll never have a greater friend than Jesus in your old age.

These were the faithful who were holding the world together with their rosaries and sacrifices. They were the ones sharing in the suffering of Christ to bring down unimaginable graces to the world. Even though they carried crosses, they were still joyful and hopeful, and that was because, Frank was sure, they were carrying them with Christ.
©J Pisani

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