Mary's Surprise

Part 4 of 4

Nothing encouraging was visible on the screen. Only a motionless figure, but the heartbeat did not seem to be there.

But then something happened, just a movement, a sort of jump, and almost as if by magic, the doctor said with a huge smile of relief.

"Look, there is the heart beating."

My wife cried, but this time out of joy, and I joined in her emotions.

That night we sat before the image of the Virgin and thanked Her; we called everyone in the family to tell them that my wife was pregnant. Everyone was pleased with the advent of a new life.

But human beings are forgetful, and with the passing of months, the daily chores made us accustomed to the extraordinary and we forgot the immense gift that the Lord, through the work of His Blessed Mother, had given us.

But the Virgin was not prepared to let us overlook her efforts and was going to remind us ever so gently.

Like I said, we celebrate on October 18 each year, the founding of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, this was the day that Father Joseph Kentenich made his Covenant of Love with the Virgin Mary in the original Chapel in Germany.

For me it was a day like any other working in my office when I received a call from my wife, who only managed to say: "it is time."

I ran away. We arrived at the hospital and the doctor greeted us. I accompanied my wife in that beautiful moment, and after a natural birth, we received in our arms a beautiful girl.

Oddly enough, we had forgotten the miracle of love that had been given to us. Until my wife, with her baby in her arms looked at me for a moment and asked:

"What date is today?"

I replied absently, "Today, I forget, let me see, ah yes, October 18."

Then we realized what had happened. Our daughter had been born, by natural delivery, the same day as the Foundation of our Mater of Schoenstatt's Movement, that Sweet Lady whom we had asked for a miracle.

And so, to keep always in mind Her wonderful work, we named our daughter Maria Bernadette of Schoenstatt.

Thanks Mater.