Faith in Common

    The only words I understood were ‘Ave-Maria.’ It meant ‘Hail Mary.’ Portuguese-Americans proceeded behind a statue of the Blessed Mother. They recited The Rosary. It happened yesterday at a shrine near my home.
    A Portuguese woman approached my elderly mother. The woman said something in her native tongue. Mom, of Polish heritage, did not understand.
    The Portuguese woman lifted her rosary beads. Attached to them was a figurine of Jesus. The woman kissed it. She presented the figurine to Mom. Right away, Mom leaned down and kissed it. Afterwards, the two women smiled at each other.
    The language barrier didn’t matter. Those woman shared in common their Catholic faith.
    Fellowship is one reason why religious people score high in happiness surveys.