This is an amazing story of love. True love can break through barriers, even terminal illnesses. https://t.co/8eKbow2ll0
— Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC (@FrMatthewLC) May 13, 2018
Father Goyo Hidalgo, associate pastor of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Simi Valley, CA, shared a beautiful story of a recent wedding he performed in a hospital. (We’ll warn you up front, have the Kleenex handy.)
Sometimes we encounter stories that change us & give us hope. I had the gift to be part of one?? & YOU have that gift too. You might be the HOPE someone needs today even on twitter.
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY #HopeOnTwitter#MothersDay #HappyMothersDay https://t.co/SjQfMagdkK— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 13, 2018
Twitchy readers, meet Estela and Nicolas:
(THREAD) 1. MEET Estela and Nicolas. Today they got married. For anyone else this would be just a picture of a normal wedding day, but for these two, there is much more than meets the eye. For them, this is a story of the triumph of love and hope. pic.twitter.com/OKa8yPwPBC
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
2. 3 weeks ago I was approached by someone at my parish.
-“Father, there is a couple who wants to get married.”
-“I am glad to hear that. Tell them to call me & we will set up a meeting.”
-“Well” she said, “this is the thing. They are in the hospital. Could you come please?”— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
3. I went to visit them, only to find out that Estela, a beautiful 26 year old woman, had cancer that spread all over her body. Doctors give her a limited time of life. I saw her husband to be, by her side, with a sad smile in his eyes, asking me for hope and a miracle.
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
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4. I didn’t know what to say. I can’t perform miracles, but I listened and I did what I do best: I put a smile on Estela’s face. Her smile brightened the room like I have never seen before: “Yes,” I told her when she asked me about her wedding, “I will do the wedding.”
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
5. I went back home very sad. I never take with me the hard cases I see in hospitals, but this was different. I couldn’t shake it off. Plus I have never done an emergency wedding, so the nerves were pretty bad. Now I had to prepare for something I myself wasn’t ready for.
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
6. We agreed that we would do a private wedding since she couldn’t move much and had tons of needles. I would come to the room along with the witnesses and some family members.
I am not going to lie. I felt really nervous. This is something they don’t teach in seminary.— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
7. The day came. I took my alb, stole and ritual book, my holy water (of course) and I decided to stop at the store to buy her some flowers since I didn’t expect her to have many. I already told her friends to make her feel like a bride, and to her groom “put in a suit,” I said.
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
8. I drove to the hospital with alb, stole and flowers. When I got there, I couldn’t believe what I saw: 60 people were waiting +doctors and her nurses. Estela felt so much better, that the wedding would take place in the chapel and SHE LOOKED SOO BEAUTIFUL and full of life. pic.twitter.com/L2XyGa78bQ
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
9. I gave her the bouquet of white roses, and smiling timidly she said, “Thank you father. This is the dream of my life. I never thought I could do it before my life was over.”
I am telling you, I had to summon all my strength not to cry, so I just smiled back and helped her up.— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
10. I accompanied both groom and bride to the chapel which WAS PACKED and we started. I’ve never paid so much attention to those vows “I take you for better and worse, in sickness and health, till DEATH do us part.” At this point, sniffles were louder than music.
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
11. The staff of the hospital were AMAZING.They prepared a surprised reception in less than 24 hours. Then the groom said to me, “Thank you father for the miracle I asked. All I wanted was for God to bless my love for her, and it happened. Thanks.”
Ok, the heck with it ??? pic.twitter.com/h40PaMWLSd— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
12. I don’t know what the future has for Estela and Nicolas. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but today, they enjoyed the miracle of love that gives strength to the sick. Today hope, faith and love won, and one more day we all gave thanks to God. #hope #faith #love
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
13. So, MEET Estela and Nicolas. Today they experienced the love that conquers the hopeless heart, sadness & suffering. The love that brings tears of joy, in health and illness, till death breaks the earthly bond. My dear friends, I love being part of your witness. God LOVES you. pic.twitter.com/7ASkXRak6v
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) May 12, 2018
Wow. And thank you for sharing.
Love >>> Death.https://t.co/PCUslaJyOg
— Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) May 12, 2018
I'M FINE JUST FINE [sob] https://t.co/sdU18ocX5U
— shauna (@goldengateblond) May 13, 2018
If you can read this thread without tearing up, you're a bigger tough guy than me. https://t.co/4XVxNnxxvf
— Ken Webster Jr (@KenWebsterJrSho) May 13, 2018
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