In a small town of Sicily, at 3,000 feet in the marvelous Madonie mountain range, the good and hospitable people willingly welcome me into their home. They speak to me of the many difficulties they encounter, ask my counsel and my prayer.
Enter a young woman: She is happy. She and her spouse love each other, the children are growing, lively, and serene. But, she too has her thorn. The aunt was always tremendously disappointed, sad, closed in herself, and was not able to find the way to some peace, a smile, nor forgiveness. "Maybe you could talk with her?" she asked me, with a faith the made me tremble.
She disappears for a moment and returned with the aunt. She was a little, thin woman, full of wrinkles. She didn't refuse to speak, but the only words she spoke were a torrent of tension and resentment. I watch as she recounts the serious wrongs suffered by her employer. She is so tense, almost rigid, that it seems she is petrified in her own bitterness.
My words are worthless as I try to understand and invite her to the one thing necessary (for her peace): forgiveness and reconciliation. "No, I can't forgive him, he doesn't deserve it... after all I did for him!" She said nothing more.
I search for the right words, but it was as if she doesn't even hear me. I know very well that I don't have the key to her heart, but I also know that I can turn to Someone who has the keys to every heart. Mary, yes, Mary will do something for this aunt.
I see the children are longer playing, intimidated by the sad atmosphere, and an idea comes to me: these innocent little ones know how to knock on the door to heaven. I call them near and together we begin to pray the Hail Mary. The aunt joins in! Then, almost as awakening from a dream, she takes me hand and asks: "Now, what must I do?" The wrinkles seemed to soften, her eyes luminous, and she smiles - no longer sad.
A "key" has opened her heart and she is inundated with peace.
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