A glimpse of history of St Peter and Paul: The Power of the Rosary- Father Paul Pang CSSR
If you search through the Columbarium at Ss Peter and PaulChurch you will find among the niches the photo of a woman dressed in a Kimono. Her name is Maria Harada. She is my maternal grandmother. She is a convert to Catholicism, brought about by the power of the Rosary.
One fine day, I call it a fine day, for on this day I heard the story of Ah Por’s conversion, which I would like to share with you who read this little inspiring story hoping that it will also nourish your devotion to the Rosary. On this fine day, in the early ‘70s, I met Ursula who told me this story at the car park under the bell tower of Novena Church.
Ursula: Father do you know how your Grandmother became a Catholic?
I: I remember the occasion when Ah Por was baptised. But at that time I was only a young boy and I was not a Catholic. But I did not know the story behind her conversion.
Ursula: Your Grandmother and I were neighbours, living in Queen Street. One day I asked her: ‘Do you want to be a Catholic?’
Ah Por: No, I am a Shintoist. Leave me alone.
Ursula: I will say the Rosary for your conversion.
[After saying the Rosary every day for one year for myGrandmother, Ursula broached the question again of her accepting Jesus]
Ursula: Now do you want to become a Catholic?
Ah Por: I told you before, I am a Shintoist. Leave me alone.
Ursula (told me): I went back to our Lady and said to her: ‘Mother I said so many Rosaries for this lady’s conversion and you have not converted her. I am now going to say just one more Rosary for her and please do your work.’
The next day I went back to your Grandmother and asked her again: ‘Now do you want to become a Catholic?’
Ah Por: Yes I want to be a Catholic. Last night Mother Mary appeared to me in my dream and told me to become aCatholic!
At her baptism, a friend gave Ah Por a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. When she saw the statue Ah Por burst into tears crying out: “This is the Lady who appeared to me in my dream.”
Dear Parishioners of Ss Peter and Paul and anyone who reads this story, what lessons can you draw from this conversion story? As for me, I felt so lifted up by the simple, loving faith of this wonderful 70+ year smiling, podgy lady dressed in a cheongsam. Her simple Faith is an inspiration and encouragement for so many Catholics who do not have the opportunity to acquire a knowledge of our Catholic Faith by academic pursuits. But Jesus died for all, the highly learnedlike St Alphonsus Liguori and the unlearned, like St MariaGoretti. All are called to be saved: “God wants all to be saved and reach the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:4. StAlphonsus Liguori wrote: “By praying our salvation is madesecure and very easy. It is not necessary in order to save our souls to go among heathens and give up our life. It is not necessary to retire into the desert and eat nothing but herbs. What does it cost to say, ‘My God help me! Lord assist me! Have mercy on me!’? Is there anything more easy than this? And this little will suffice to save us if we will be diligent in doing it.” (Prayer: the Great Means of obtaining Salvation)
Dear reader, say the Rosary for those who are living a disorderly sinful life, perhaps members of your family. Say the Rosary for people who are overwhelmed by the sorrows and difficulties of life. Say the Rosary for those who are living in darkness and in the shadow of death, searching hopelesslyfor the real meaning in life.
Do not give up on them even if you see no signs of their conversion. In God’s way and in God’s time, your prayer made in trust and love will bear fruit.
Pope Francis wrote: “This fruitfulness is often invisible, elusive and unquantifiable. We know quite well that our lives will be fruitful without claiming to know how, where or when. We may be sure that none of our acts of love will be lost, nor any of our acts of sincere concern for others. No single act oflove for God will be lost, no generous effort is meaningless, no painful endurance is wasted.” Evangelium Gaudium 279.
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