Yesterday, I went to the Baptism of my friend's newest daughter, Monica. Don Mauro, leader of GS in Crema, Italy came all the way across the pond for the baptism. Don Mauro is a great man and a fantastic priest, but the most striking thing was the friendship he has with the family. Since the family has moved to D.C. from Italy they have had five kids and five times has Don Mauro been to America, staying as long as he can but usually just enough time to drive from the airport, dip the baby in holy water and drive back. A little exaggerated, but he was on a 24 hour time slot here. I got to spend some of this time with him, and I think I learned a little bit of the reason why my friends love this beautiful man so much.
Speaking with him (through a translator, he knows no English and I barely any Italian) I told him of my desire to come and study in Italy at the school where he is the responsible for GS. After roughly estimating the cost with him, it came out to about $10,000 US dollars (give or take, however strong our dollar is against the friggin' Euro). Thats a lot of money, especially because I would have to pay for most of it and I'm 15. So, Steve suggests that we say 10,000 memorares for 10,000 dollars, which is a good idea. Don Mauro took it to a more concrete level, shall we say. Acting all of this out, he says to ask for donations from friends and family, the sick, the desperate, everyone and for every dollar, say a Memorare for them or whatever intention they ask for. He also suggested I charge extra for different things, such as two dollars for hands folded, five on my knees, ten on one foot, half off for saying it in bed, and so on. But I'm gonna try it and see what happens.
Its called Memorare ad Italia (we thank our friend Bill for the interesting combination of Italian and Latin) but for every dollar one gives me they get a Memorare in return. Actually two, because, as Steve tells me, all I have to do is ask and Don Guissani will say them with me. Because asking or desire is the main component of prayer, this sustains prayer. And the exchange of my fund raiser is that we sustain each other's desire. You in a very concrete way with money and me in a very concrete way with the praying of the Memorare.
So spread the word or donate yourself, and I'll pray for you! The email is memorare.ad.italia@gmail.com to get in touch. Thanks!
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