On Dec. 15 (Sat.), I attended the 75th Anniversary celebration of St. Theresa’s Church. Fifty-four years ago I was baptized in this very church, appropriately on the Birthday of Mary (Sept. 8). What impressed me deeply was when the priest who baptized us (Fr. Carmelo Orlando PIME) invited us to say the Hail Mary in front of Mary’s altar after baptism. At that time, my mind only had one question: I was already baptized and belonged to Christ, did I also have to belong to Mary? Even though I felt that way, I obediently knelt and said the Hail Mary.

From that time on, Mary and I could not be separated. It can be said that Mary chose me and I did not choose Mother Mary. In 1969, I prayed before the cave in which Our Lady of Lourdes appeared in France. I asked: “Please give me the best gift that you think most suitable for me”. Before leaving Lourdes, I thanked her at her altar. Six months afterwards, I obtained what I thought was the best gift ever.

At present, I still feel the joy of this gift. The joyful part is that I became the core member of “Work of Mary”.

The fact that I have the opportunity to receive Mary’s message from Medugorje is an additional bonus.