So far as I can remember, this was the first weekend I’ve ever spent at an event mentioned on page one of a Major National Periodical. Do give the article a gander: it’s called “Faith put into Practice.”
If anyone is entertaining ideas that I’m involved in a conspiracy to take over the medical world in the name of the Vatican, I’d like to confirm your worries by telling you that I stayed for the weekend in a residence operated by Opus Dei.
After a rejuvenating weekend of the laughter and good red wine to be expected at such an unapologetically Catholic gathering, I said goodbye to a couple of good friends and went back to the residence to sit down for a talk with the superior of the house. (Chosen for the priesthood by St. Josemaria himself. Conspiracy theorists take note.) We said vespers in Latin, and he heard my confession. I was on my way out when I realized I’d forgotten my penance.
“Could you remind me what my penance was Father?”
[Deadpan] “It was the Memorare.”