I am 69 yrs old and it is only in the last four years that I have been a practicing Catholic. I was baptised and educated a Catholic, but I was very skeptical about The Churches teachings. I believed in a creative energy as God.
The turning point came in 2003 when my wife died after suffering from ovarian cancer for Three and a half years, with such tremendous courage and graceful manners never complaining, always loving and kind. Her passing left me with so many questions about life, its reason and God.
This event brought me back to God and the Catholic Church. I was still skeptical but I began to read the Bile and prayed for guidance about my biggest question - Is there life after death.?
The answer came on Christmas day 2003 at about 6.00 am. I woke feeling something touching my face, I turned to switch on my bedroom light and as I did, a beautiful butterfly rested on the light shade and spread its wings. At first I was shocked but then a feeling of joy swept over me.I thanked God for this blessing.
I decided to become involved in Our Parish activities. At that time I reading more and more books about Christ. I received a book titled "Medjugorje - The Message" by Wayne Weible.
When I reached the bottom of page 56, something happened deep within my soul. It was reading that Our Lady had said to one of the Medjugorje visionaries that "most souls go to Heaven on Christmas day".
That same week I read in my Parish newsletter that there was a Pilgrimage going to Medjugorje. I went with my friend Alan who helped me pray.
I found in Medjugorje what I was looking for - not miracles but and oasis of Peace and Love.
One day, while in Medjugorje we climbed the Mountain, we meditated on Christ's passion by praying the Stations of the Cross. At the fourteenth station a butterfly alighted on a rock next to my feet, and remained until I had finished praying.
I was reminded of what St Paul said " In Baptism you were not only buried with Christ, but also raised to life with him, because you believed in the power of God who raised Christ from the dead"
"Thanks be to God"
Signed - Robert Beckett. 2007
