I am currently at the San Diego Airport waiting to end my quick day trip in San Diego. I had no intention to go see anything in particular but to see where the Spirit would lead. I was drawn to San Diego primarily because I have family within 2 hours of the city and wanted to surprise them. This leisure trip ended up becoming some sort of a short pilgrimage or retreat away from my routine at home into a city by myself.

 

I did the usual tourist thing, by hitting up the places that popped up on the google suggestions for the city. I was wrapping up my quick tour of the waterfront and headed for my Aunt’s house about 2 hours away to surprise them. Something felt off, and I wanted to make a turn thinking I missed my initial turn. I then ordered Siri to find the nearest Catholic Church, and found out that I was within meters of a church. I parked my car and walked around the block and found myself into the church.

 

This church was called “Our Lady of the Rosary.” The church had a simple layout on its exterior and was a complete opposite from the inside of the church. The church was painted white and when you looked at the church, the sun made it stand out even more. Upon walking inside, you would be surprised at the sudden change of lighting from bright to very dark. Not sure if it was because the lights were off, or if my eyes have yet to adjust to the brightness of the outdoors. I walked in and knelt in awe of the artwork. My prayer included a brief history of the church given by a local tour guide accompanying a group of about 20 people.

The church had a very unique beginning. Locals in the neighbourhood came from Italy, and contacted the local Bishop to set up a church. The Bishop, who knew that the locals were Italian, urged for an Italian priest to come. Within a few months of discernment, called one priest. The priest arrived by boat and train and ended up in a very unfamiliar area in San Diego. All he knew was that the locals wanted to set up a church, and being a priest could help with that need. He knocked on the door of a small house and greeted the family. The family was shocked because of the accent of the priest, which originated from their local town in Turin. The family welcomed the priest and offered their home to the priest. The family moved out of the house and moved into their grocery shop a block away so that the priest can fulfill his mission in the area. The Priest set up 45 chairs in the home, and prepared 5 masses that was full every Sunday.

After a few years of having mass in the home, the community grew even bigger and many supported the idea of having a bigger church. Within a month of this thought, the community came together and provided financial support for the church. Construction of the church began and in the transition period between the first and second World War, the church began to experience great financial trouble. Not only was the church running out of money, the locals had to be removed from the shores of San Diego. According to the tour guide, the Allies were fighting against many in Europe and that Italy was on the enemy’s side. At the cost of being near big US Naval Bases, the Italians had to be relocated to avoid rumours of possible spies and smaller wars amongst citizens on American soil.

Despite the removal of his people, and the lack of money to continue decorating the interior of the church, the priest continued. The priest took up a paintbrush and painted all of the artwork and assembled the stained glass windows by hand. After 2 years of decorating the church, the priest finished and many of the locals were welcomed back home.

I recall the history of this church through the sharing of the tour guide with a very promising heart. In my discernment in my career and vocation as a man of God, my heart is at peace with the path the Lord has paved for me. I pray, that like the Priest who was called by the people, I may be ready and give my all in the work and the fulfillment of the Lord’s plan.

“His calling is a declaration of Love”-St.John Paul II