The CATHOLIC SANCTUARY

WHY THIS BOOK?

Six months ago I received an unusual call. I was in front of my computer and I took the pone. A very sweet grandmother asked me to write a book. "It is going to be called The Sanctuary," she said. "Jesus stays alone because people do not know that he is in there."

She insisted to me so much that I decided to write it.

I made her three promises.

1. I would write her book

2. I would go to her house to meet her.

3. I would give her the paperback of the book.

I accomplished the three promises. I went to the countryside to meet her, and wrote her book and today (which was the best of everything) I gave it to her. It was a very special occasion.

I have been writing for the last twelve years since that morning in which I decided to follow Jesus. I wanted to spend my life in something big and worth doing, and I chose this way.

I have noted that every book that I write has its own history with identity that makes it special and unique. This is not different.

I have learned that if you trust in God you'll do fine. He is the answer to our inquiries, and that is why my priorities are simple: God, my family and my job.

The thing is that my life begins and ends in the Sanctuary. I love visiting it, and when I cannot go I let my mind travel to a chapel where he is, so that I can be with him.

In the middle of the silence I usually ask him:

"Where are you God?" 

And he says: "Here by your side where I have always been."

We are called to illuminate the world with our example and the presence of God in us.

Everything is based in trusting, to know what God asks for us, and to have faith.

THE SANCTUARY

Do you know what the Sanctuary is?

It is small place where the priest keeps in a cup the most sacred thing that we have: The Sacred Eucharist that were not used during the mass. It is also called the Tabernacle.

It is the most important place of the Church, because Sacred Jesus is in there. That is why when you enter a Church the first thing you have to do is look for the Sanctuary.

How are you going to find it?

There is a small red candle that is called the lamp of the Sanctuary, which indicates the presence of Jesus.

When you pass in front of the Sanctuary make a bow always and an inner pray.

Sometimes you are going to find it in the altar and sometimes you are going to find it in a chapel or in a lateral prayer section. Paul VI said that the sanctuaries are:

"The heart that is alive in every church."

And it is true.

If you go to a church and you cannot see it ask someone: "Where do you have the sanctuary?" That someone will tell you where it is. Go, because Jesus awaits for you. Talk to him. Be by his side.

He watches you and he listens to you in the Sanctuary.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta used to take everyone that visited her to the Sanctuary, so that they could greet the "owner of the house."