It's NEVER (EVER) too late.

Kiki Arguello - Public Domain

 My grandfather was an honest, hard-working person, wise and full of life-experience. He was raised in a socialist family, baptized only "just in case," and in turn never embraced the Church. Of course, he didn't baptize his children. I could talk to him about anything in the world, except God, the Church, priests, sisters, and least of all the fact that I wanted to become a missionary. This greatly saddened me, but humanly speaking there was nothing I could do: only give him to the Virgin Mother who could obtain all that was needed. 

One day, when I was in college away from home, I asked, "Nonno, on the day of my exams will you go for me to greet the 'Virgin of the Way?'" I was shocked, because not only did he accept, but he brought my grandmother with him. These visits became more and more frequent, because they found more and more things to offer to the Madonna: his children, grandchildren, problems, etc.  I figured that the Virgin of the Way was awakening the sleeping heart of my grandfather, and pulling from his face the mask of an atheist.

When he was 90 years old, he went to the hospital for an operation. At that age, even a minor operation is serious, perhaps that's why he willingly took the miraculous medal. I was certain that in this solitude Our Lord would be knocking at his heart.

Two days after the surgery, Father Lamberto entered the room. He had on a stole, carried the Bible, a crucifix, and the Blessed Sacrament (Viaticum). I expected him to send him away immediately. After all, this wasn't the first time that Father had tried! Instead, he commanded ME out of the room in order to be "alone with the priest..."

This was the last great surprise: Our Lady of the Way had guided my grandfather to Jesus who is THE Way, Truth, and Life. Nonno confessed his sins for the first time in 90 years, received the Holy Eucharist, and after two hours he died in peace.