I Kissed His Feet

by Mr. Michael Seagriff, OP

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​catagories

All
Evangelization Stories
Personal Testimony
Preaching Reason
Preaching Salvation
Preaching The Eucharist
Preaching The Last Things
Preaching The Passion
Preaching The Saints

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God calls all of us to walk the Via Dolorosa with Him, to spend time at the foot
of His cross, to be there as He is nailed to it, to be there throughout the entire
three hours of His agonizing death, to be there as He is taken down from the
cross, to be there as He is placed in His mother’s arms and to be there at the
tomb. 

I have tried from time to time to obey Him. But I have found it hard to do.
Painful would be more accurate. I don’t want to be reminded of the price He
paid for my sins. I don’t want to acknowledge how ungrateful I have been for
such an undeserved sacrificial gift. I am afraid of what other things He might
ask of this obstinate sinner and of the additional disappointment, pain and
anguish my refusing to change may cause such a loving and merciful Lord.
Yet, if I am ever to succeed in abandoning my will for His, of allowing Him to
make of me the new creation He intended, and of spending eternity in His
glorious and magnificent Presence, I must obey.  I must daily walk that road
and spend time at the foot of His cross.

I am hopeful that as a result of my visit to St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal –
the work of Saint Andre Bessett, more commonly known as Brother Andre – I
will be successful in this most difficult but necessary exercise. Let me tell you
why.

Shortly after arriving at the Oratory and during a casual conversation at lunch
with other pilgrims, I heard for the first time of a Crucifix in the Grotto Church
at the Oratory to which a great devotion had developed. Over the years, many
answered prayers and miracles have been reported by those who spent time
at the foot of that Cross and who left their written prayers and petitions there.
I wanted to find that special place.

I had never been to the Oratory but went to look for that Crucifix. I had not
walked very far at all when I saw the Grotto’s entrance just feet from where I
stood. 

I entered with joyful expectation. Mass was about to begin but there was still a
line down the side aisle in front of a Crucifix that was in the sanctuary next to
the altar rail. 

My wife and I got on the line. At first I was unsure whether I was disrespecting
our Lord and the priest who had just begun Mass but felt compelled to remain
in the line, joining in the hymns and Mass responses. I was moved by the
depth of emotion others displayed as they approached the Crucifix and held
on to our Lord’s nailed feet while praying silently.
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When it was my turn, I snapped a quick picture of the crucifix and then
reached up and put my two hands on Jesus’ crucified feet. I rested my head
there as well, pleading for the salvation of my soul and the souls of my loved
ones. I shed a few tears. I did not want to leave or remove my hands but knew
I had to do so. Others were waiting.

Link for St. Joseph’s Oratory:
https://www.saint-joseph.org/en/

Link for St. Andre Bessett:
https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-ones/st-andre-bessette/