Witnessing the habit...

from Patheos...

Catholic women and men sharing their experiences while dressed in the habit. In this sixth installment, a Canossian sister shares an encounter that helped calm a guilt-wracked young man bereft of hope, through the Good News of Christ’s mercy and salvation.

On a beautiful morning, after meeting a friend for coffee, I declined her offer of a ride home; it was such a nice day, I really wanted to walk and pray along the one-mile stretch of road.

Starting out down the street, I asked the Lord to help me see what he wanted me to see, that I might be a witness of His love. (I’ve gotten into the practice of starting this way whenever I go out, because it’s so easy for me to get caught up in my own thoughts and miss an opportunity along the way!) I prayed my rosary, each bead for those whose path I crossed: the service worker at the gas station; the teenage girls walking and chatting animatedly on the side of the road; the beggar ‘Tony’ sitting in his usual place with a cup of coffee and his portable stereo blaring; the drivers passing by in their cars . . . all these people accompanied me. Another block, another few beads prayed: for the travelers; for the mom with her child in tow; for the kids on their skateboards; another step, another prayer.

Approaching the next intersection, there next to the traffic light, stood two high-school aged boys. One of them called out to me from a distance, a greeting I couldn’t make out.As I came closer, his friend crossed the street, and went on his way. I silently prayed to the Lord, “If this is another prank, give me patience!” (As a side note, it does happen from time to time, that kids will try to ‘ruffle my feathers’ trying some harmless prank at my expense! Alas, this too is part of wearing the habit). But as I came closer, I could see in his face that something wasn’t right. His broad forehead was furrowed; his eyes raw, as though he’d been up all night. He spoke again.

“Hi ma’am,” he said, a tentativeness in his voice, “are you a woman of God?”

“Yes, I am,” I responded, “is there something I can do for you?”

read on...

h/t Sister Lisa M. Doty is a Canossian Sister who blogs at Nunspeak.