Election Day

November 2, 2004

I have mentioned before that this sudden interior peace that I have learned to recognize and respond to began almost immediately after my first time at the Thursday Night Prayer Group at St. Joseph’s when The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Gianna Sullivan. It has never stopped since that time and seems the strongest around the 13th of each month, First Fridays and the days leading up to a new message from Our Lady of Emmitsburg. It also happens at times when urgent prayer is needed.

The presidential election today was no exception. I know this because when it happens I suddenly know exactly what to pray for without having to give it any thought. The thought is just suddenly there, out of seemingly nowhere and always in sync with a unexpected 13 or 33.

I left the house this morning to go to work in "hometown". I intentionally scheduled my work in "hometown" because that is where I am still registered to vote. I missed the Pennsylvania registration deadline. I stopped at St. Joseph’s on my way and at the instant I arrived the clock on the dash was 6:13.

While I was sitting in the car saying some prayers I thought about how critical this election is and how its outcome will determine pro-life or pro death issues for a very long time. The need for pro-life prayers seemed extremely urgent as I was sitting there. When I finished praying I left and drove to "hometown". I arrived at "Parish Church" for mass and walked in the door. I glanced at my watch and the time was 8:33.

After mass I went to work and called the "Parish Church" rectory because S.C.C. wanted me to get a copy of C.R.C.’s baptism certificate. We have the original but since the move we just have not been able to put our hands on it. We needed one now for C.R.C.’s upcoming confirmation.

My co-worker Carrol was late for work because he and his wife went to mass in Spotsylvania before going to vote. When Carrol arrived at work I left to go vote. I glanced at my watch as I was walking out and it said XX:XX:33. I drove to Salem Baptist Church and voted for George W. Bush. After casting my vote I was walking back to my car when suddenly the feeling of peace hit me again very suddenly. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.

I started driving back to work and was almost back to town when very suddenly I felt the urge to go to "Parish Church" to pray my daily rosary. It was at that very instant I just happened to notice the counter on the CD player said 3:33.

I arrived at "Parish Church" and prayed the Sorrowful mysteries of the rosary. During my rosary I continued to pray for the election and pro-life issues as well as other things. When I finished the rosary I glanced at my watch and the time was 11:11.

I walked over the rectory to pick up the copy of C.R.C.’s baptism certificate. It was at that instant the feeling of peace hit me very hard just as Fr. ___ invited me in his office to discuss the status of parish vocations. We talked about other things as well. As I walked into his office I glanced at my watch and the time was 11:13.

After a very nice visit with Fr. ___ I drove back to work and at the very instant I arrived and the car came to a complete stop I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. I finished what I needed to do in "hometown" and left to finish my work day in Manassas. When I started my car to leave the time on the dash was 12:13.

I arrived in Manassas and several times I felt a sudden urge to say a quick prayer, each time I glanced at my watch and it would say either XX:XX:13 or 33. When I got off for the day I stopped at All Saint’s to pray another rosary. The odometer when I arrived was 1.3 and I prayed the Glorious mysteries. I finished and drove back to Emmitsburg when I arrived at St. Joseph’s the time was 7:13. I sat in the car and finished the rosary and at the very instant I finished I looked at my watch and the time was 7:33:13. I drove home and at the very instant the car came to a complete stop the CD flashed 3:33.

R_____ C___

Nov. 9, 2004

9:33 Pm