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A15
LOCAL Tuesday 24 december 2019

PascoanAruban Christmas story of faith
EpisodeXLVIII - 49

the sick Antonio the great news. his first Mass “Misa di Aurora.” At
The neighbors told the priest, whose the end of the Aurora Mass, all
name was Maximilian about Anto- those present lightened the way
nio’s wish and accompanied him with torches and accompanied
to the Sacristy where the priest was the priest to Antonio’s house.
able to dress his religious habits. After giving the Holy Oils of the ex-
Father Maximiliano and several treme unction to the sick the priest
neighbors went to see the sick returned to the chapel to prepare
man ;the priest confessed to Anto- the afternoon procession after a
nio and promised to give him the few hours someone came running
extreme unction at dawn the next to notify him that Antonio is about
day to make it a more solemn act. to die. The priest and a group of
Meanwhile the Prosecutor raised neighbors returned to the house
two flags to announce to the in- of the dying man and kneeled be-
habitants of Alto Vista that some- side himand began to pray.
thing extraordinary was happen- Everyone was around the bed
ing and people began to arrive of the dying man and they were
from all sides for the occasion. surprised to see how the sick man
The priest greeted everyone with sat on the bed and with his arms
great cordiality, speaking to them outstretched he cried for mercy to
of the importance of confession in God asking him to help him get to
order to receive the Holy Eucharist his side ... after his request Antonio
(Communion). At twelve o’clock died in peace on Christmas Mass
at night, Father Maximiliano gave day.q
Continued from Page 14 Guillermo, an old neighbor of Alto
Vista who years earlier traveled to
After eighth days of prayer there Venezuela and returned to greet
was no news that any priest could his family. As soon as the inhabit-
get to meet the request of this ill ants of Alto Vista confirmed that a
stricken man. At dawn the next priest was arriving in the company
day a group of mounted men ar- of Guillermo they overjoyed with
rived in Alto Vista, one of them was happiness and quickly ran to give linda.reijnders@cspnv.com