It was one of our busiest days with the visitation of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Dallas, Texas when something strange happened. We were scheduled to visit Imaculate Conception parish. Prior to my arrival, I was informed that a florist would meet up with me in front of the church, that is by the sanctuary. I decided to arrive earlier than usual at the church to check with this florist to discuss the table arrangements for Our Lady’s statue.
Upon entering the church, from the vestibule, I immediately saw the florist already standing and waiting at the sanctuary. He raised his left hand to wave in gesture at me while holding what appeared to me like a candlestick on his right hand and a big “flower vase”. So, I waved back at him and indicated my desire to visit the restroom nearby. He was wearing elaborate flowery clothing. I thought to myself, “Indeed, that must be the florist!” His appearance is now engraved in my mind. Average built, dark complexion, long curly hair and the clothes! They were beautiful! I composed myself to meet this great-looking guy.
Upon entering the main body of the church, I felt something strange. I cannot describe the feeling of awe. It was very quiet and so peaceful. I felt goosebumps I never had before in my entire life. The florist was gone from where I just saw him a couple of minutes ago. He must be in the sacristy on the side, I thought. But there was no sacristy there. This was my first visit to this church and inspected every corner of it looking for him. It was a small church in the suburbs of Dallas. Maybe it could seat about two hundred people. There was no other way out of this church. I said “hello” maybe two or three times in every direction with nobody in sight. I stood still facing the sanctuary again, then I walked towards the direction I came, still searching for him when, Lo and behold, he was standing just the way I saw him earlier, but in a framed-painting. I just saw this guy in the sanctuary between the altar and the table for the statue of Our Lady. (See picture below) Now he is in one of the portraits hung on a wall (see picture above). I could not believe what I saw with my own eyes. In this portrait he has a halo around his head and the wings of an angel. The thing he was holding was not a candlestick but a sword. The vase was not a vase but a shield! Clearly this was Saint Michael the Archangel! I am sure of what I saw. I am sure that this was the same “person” I saw. There is no doubt in my mind that this was St. Michael. But the question is, Why would he choose to appear to me? I began my quest to read more about this glorious “spirit”.
Of the many titles given to him, what is sensible at this point to me is “Servant in the House of the Divine King”. He appeared and waved at me as if affirming his honored title. I carry the image of the Woman in the House of Her Child. St. Michael makes sure no harm comes our way because we all know that the ancient dragon lies in wait for the Woman who shall crush its head.
As I was finishing writing about this story in the back of a church in New Jersey, a gentleman approached me because he said I looked familiar. He said his name is Geoffrey Albano, visiting friends in New Jersey, but he is from Grand Prairie, Texas, and he wondered if I was in his parish last February. I asked what parish and he replied, “St. Michael the Archangel”. I said, “No, but we visited Immaculate Conception”. Then he corrected me saying that is part of the parish of St. Michael the Archangel! I never knew that. Now I have my answers, and a great way to continue my journey with the Blessed Mother, knowing that “God will give his angels charge of me, to keep me in all my ways. On their hands they will bear me up, lest I dash my foot against a stone” (Ps 91:11-12). This is very important to me, literally and figuratively in this battle, as I travel all over the world carrying the precious statue of Our Lady under the watch of “He who is like Unto God”.
