These were not the illustrious words of an intellectual giant with a worldwide reputation. Neither were they the words of an accomplished businessperson who topped the best entrepreneurs’ list. On the contrary there were the words of a jubilant simple little girl, Shezyan Zammit, who, two weeks ago, feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, had the grace of seeing two of her greatest dreams being fulfilled. The first being that of receiving Holy Communion whereas the second grace was that of seeing her parents, Vince Carl and Marisa Zammit, tie the matrimonial knot.
San Gwann parish church experienced the joy of an ecstatic girl who fervently welcomed Jesus in her heart for the first time. Closely observing the beaming face of the five-year-old first time communicant, I could not help shedding a tear. My immediate reaction was the following prayer I addressed to Jesus, the main object of Shezyan’s joy on her special and unforgettable day.
“Lord Jesus may Shezyan always feel and get close to you as she does today. May she always count on you to gently guide her on her way. May she always trust in you to answer her every single prayer. May she always feel you blessing her with your tender loving care. Amen.”
As I continued reading about Shezyan’s magical day, I noted that the Church granted the little one special permission to have her Holy Communion earlier than usual. The reason given was that Shezyan had to undergo chemotherapy to remove a brain tumour a month later.
Upon learning this, my eyes teared up again. At that very moment I realised how the Church, whom we sometimes criticize harshly and condemn unjustly, in Shezyan’s case showed great mercy to this little girl and her family. On this occasion the Church bore witness to the merciful Lord who said: ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt 19:14).
Furthermore, the Church also displayed her maternal care towards this distressed family by making the necessary arrangements so that Shezyan’s parents, Vince Carl and Marisa, could be joined in the sacrament of marriage on the same day their little angel had her first communion.
The Church is really a mother. Pope Francis was totally right when in his general audience of 11 September said: “Our forming part of the Church is not an external or formal event, it isn’t to draw up a paper that we are given, but it is an interior and vital act; one does not belong to the Church as one does to a society, to a party or any other organisation. The bond is vital, as that which one has with one’s mother, because, as Saint Augustine affirms, ‘the Church is really Mother of Christians’ (De moribus Ecclesiae, I, 30, 62-63; PL 32, 1336). Let us ask ourselves: how do I see the Church? If I am grateful to my parents because they gave me life, am I grateful to the Church because she has generated faith in me through Baptism?”
Moreover Shezyan’s story demonstrated that the Church is not merely an institution that simply gives the go ahead or allow things to happen canonically after the necessary dispensations are granted. The Church is principally the unity of all those who believe in Jesus Christ.
How beautiful to cherish the mystery of the Church vividly present in Shezyan’s classmates who, after the conclusion of the Eucharist, assembled around their friend and, together with the Prime Minister’s daughters Soleil and Etoile, showered their little friend with hugs and kisses!
In the same catechesis the Pope said: “All of us are the Church: from the recently baptized baby to the Bishops, the Pope; we are all the Church and we are all equal in the eyes of God! We are all called to collaborate in the birth of faith of new Christians; we are all called to be educators in the faith, to proclaim the Gospel.”
Dear Shezyan while thanking and praying for you I also say to you:
“Thank you and pray for me!”
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
SAN GWANN