Just Do It


By Zura and Victor Capelli

It started with a simple thought. During this past Holy Week, Genevieve Pringle felt drawn to visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Mass. The thought grew until she finally requested time off from work to make the trip. She had no idea the adventure she was about to embark upon.

She stayed awake all night in anticipation of her departure from New Jersey on Holy Saturday. However, when she arrived at New York City's Port Authority bus terminal by 7 a.m., the clerk told Genevieve there was no pre-paid bus ticket to Stockbridge, as she had been told.

She felt discouraged. It seemed as though her plans had gone awry. She called her sister Margaret in Ghana, Africa. Immediately, Margaret told her, "Trust in Jesus and just do it." And that's just what Genevieve did. She became a simple and trusting vessel for the Lord.

It soon became clear how much her trust would become crucial. This would be no simple trip to the Shrine.

First of all, the clerk sold Genevieve a 9 a.m. bus ticket to Worcester, Mass., and told her Worcester was only a mere 20 miles from the Shrine. By 1 p.m., Genevieve arrived in Worcester and, seeking directions to the Shrine, a cabbie assured her, he would take her there. After sitting in the cab for 20 minutes, Genevieve realized the Shrine was not 20 miles away, but closer to 200 miles!

Completely trusting in Jesus, Genevieve eventually arrived in Stockbridge and paid the cabbie the fare - which amounted to her week's salary. Having little money left, Genevieve met pilgrims from Toronto, Canada, who arrive every year for the Easter Vigil. The pilgrims prayed and shared supper with Genevieve and gave her extra food for another meal. Yes, Genevieve had made it to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy! In addition, she arrived in time for the Easter Vigil!

After the Easter Vigil, Genevieve stood on the steps of the Shrine speaking with Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, the shrine rector. It was 1 a.m. Genevieve was seeking a place to stay. We, too, attended the Easter Vigil and immediately invited Genevieve to retrieve her luggage and join us for our ride back to Stephentown, N.Y., approximately 20 miles from the Shrine.

Genevieve became the second of two special guests to stay with us. We also had a very special charismatic faithful joining us to welcome in Easter Sunday. Back at our home, by 3 a.m., my husband had served green tea to all and Genevieve showed us photographs. At that time, I realized why Genevieve became our guest this night. She showed us a beautiful photograph of her brother living in Africa. He is the Archbishop of Acra, Ghana, Father Charles Palmer Buckle.

Wow! What a wonderful week we had! Genevieve was able to attend Easter Sunday at the Shrine. After Mass, Genevieve telephoned her brother, and we were able to extend Easter greetings to Archbishop Palmer Buckle. Christ is risen, truly He is risen!

During the whole Easter Octave, Genevieve was able to attend the Eucharistic Holy Hour, the Rosary for Life, Holy Mass, and the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction at the Shrine, every day.

She immediately became a member of the Marians' Thirteenth of the Month Club, as we are, and she was invited to pray the Rosary at the new Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine on Eden Hill on the Feast Day of Divine Mercy Sunday. Genevieve, Victor, and I were showered with our Lord's Divine Mercy as we prayed the Holy Rosary in the sanctuary of our Mother of Mercy Outdoor Shrine.

Thank you, Blessed Mother, for allowing us to honor you and our Lord on the Feast Day of His Divine Mercy. Genevieve also visited the Marian Helpers Center and picked up more than 1,000 prayer devotionals on The Divine Mercy and the Chaplet, which she arranged to have sent to Ghana.

In spreading the message of Divine Mercy, Genevieve stated, "I am going to run, as fast as I can." Her goal now is to help Ghana become a distributor for the Divine Mercy message and devotion. Genevieve was blessed with strength to volunteer for all three days for the Divine Mercy Weekend, returning to the Lord all that she was given.

If anyone should begin with a simple thought - to visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy - don't hesitate. Just do it!

Jesus, I trust in You.
dom

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