Jenna Miller
You’re never alone. Those were the words that Jenna Miller, a 2019 ENL Hernandez Fellow in the Alliance for Catholic Education, needed to hear and believe as she sat at her father’s bedside near the end of his life. She called on friends to light a candle at the Grotto, a place that represented God’s love even in the hardest moment:
“Peace came to me as I realized how God had surrounded me with people who cared. Hours later, after dozing off at my father’s bedside that Sunday evening, a text from Mary woke me: ‘Storming heaven with prayers for your dad and your whole family.’ Attached were photos of my dad’s name spelled out in candles at the Grotto. Tears filled my eyes as I showed him the picture. He whispered softly, ‘Tell them thank you.’”
In Advent, we remember another Mary awaiting Christ’s birth—not alone, but upheld by her cousin Elizabeth, who shared in her experience of challenge and wonder. Who has appeared in your life as loving support when you needed it the most?
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Thank you Jenna for this beautiful reminder that we are not alone and our communities are so special to have and to cherish. May we all find peace during this Advent season☘️
Thank you for the nice comment Pat. I agree. Our communities are so important in our lives. Being a part of the Notre Dame family is such a blessing. I hope you have a blessed Advent! 💜☘️🙏
My sister and I were with my younger brother at the hospital when he died. We were consoling each other when I look up and saw Fr. Nick coming down the hall. His presence was so assuring. What made his appearance in that moment miraculous is that I told no one where I was, not Fr Nick or anyone who knew him. He had a gift of always being there at such the right time, certainly a gift from God. Thank you Lord especially for meeting the needs I hadn’t asked for and for Fr. Nick.
Justina, thank you for sharing this story. It is so amazing how people show up in our lives at just the right time when we need them the most. 💜☘️ prayers for your family and a blessed Advent!
What an absolutely beautiful and touching story of kindness and friendship. Thank you for sharing it.
Sandy, thank you for your comment. I feel so fortunate to have been able to share my dad‘s story and the Grotto candles. Have a blessed Advent! 🙏☘️💜
Thank you for sharing your story. As a papa I guess, I can also imagine the feeling of love your father felt from you being present and loving him in perhaps his moment of need. In this way, we also might reflect for a moment on the question, “To whom have I appeared in their moment of need?” We are saints to those God has put in to our lives.
David, thank you for sharing the perspective of a “Papa”. That is actually the name that my daughter called my dad as well.❤️ I love the way you flipped the story around, and I’m glad I got to be there for my dad and his time of need. I hope you have an amazing Advent.💜☘️
God Bless you and your father. Thank you for sharing your story.
Richard, Thank you so much for your comment, and the blessings. I know my dad is proud of this story and the opportunity to share it. I am humbled that I was able to do so. Have a blessed Advent! 💜☘️
Thank you Jenna. Your story touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I’d like to share a brief reflection about lighting a candle, whether at the grotto or any place where the faithful gather. I was told to consider the collection of lighted candles as a sure sign of so many others joining you in communion with our loving God. You may not see those who lit them, but the candle’s flame is burning because all of us have that common bond. Thank you for sharing your story, and for your friends who lit the candle for your dear father, and for you.
Jack, I love that story about candles! 🕯️ I agree 100%. Whether you are in the Grotto or at Mass and you see all those candles lit up around you, it feels like you’re not alone. The grotto is always my first and last stop when I come to campus. I like to be in the middle of all those prayers. Thanks for your kind words. ☘️💜 Have a blessed Advent!
I love this story and how it demonstrates the beautiful value of loving support and creativity! Thank you for sharing
Joe, I completely agree with you. The loving support of my friends was so amazing, but their creativity was on point. I never expected to see that many candles spelling out my dad’s name. I think the surprise of that was one of the best I could have asked for. 😊💜☘️
For any of us who have helped our parents pass on to heaven, your message is very real. Your efforts to gather prayer warriors and someone on campus to light the candle is inspiring and comforting. But the picture took my breath away. What a gift you both received. Just beautiful.
Sue, Thank you for your kind comments. You are right, losing a parent is surreal. We need our loving friends and family to hold us up during that time. And I am so grateful for the gift that I received that day. Sending prayers your way during this Advent season. 💜☘️🙏
Thank you for sharing this precious story. The support of our friends is such a blessing during our most difficult struggles. You have wonderful friends.
Maribeth,
Thank you for your kind words and that great reminder- I agree, God has blessed me with some pretty amazing friends. And honestly, I would have to say that my Notre Dame friends are some of the best. We are all one big family, always there for each other. And no matter how many years or miles between us, we always pick up right where we left off. Have a blessed Advent season! 💜☘️🙏
Thank you for sharing your story Jenna, this brought tears to my eyes. Yes, we remember those who were there for us, especially in times of loss. And prayer is what brings so much consolation.
Stacy,
Thank you for your comment. I agree 100%. We do remember those who were there for us, especially in the darkest moments. That said, thank you for being there for me, my friend, in some bright and dark moments of life. And I agree prayer is such a consolation. Have a blessed Advent, 🐿️☘️💜🙏 (I had to include one of your campus squirrel friends)
Every day I look forward to reading these and every day, I cry they’re so beautiful and such great reminders as the preparation for this advent season. Has the parent of a Notre Dame freshman? I am incredibly blessed to be a part of this faith community.
Pam, I agree that this faith community of the University of Notre Dame is amazing. It’s like they say at the Olive Garden, when you’re here your family!
I hope you will continue enjoying these sacred stories every year! Have a blessed Advent! 💜☘️🙏
That is beautiful. When my father years ago was at home during his final days (passed on Christmas Day) an angel home health worker Mary helped us. She was wonderful. Came to Dad’s memorial. Closing song the Irish Fight Song. ND’72
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. I am in tears watching your story. May you continue to feel prayers for you and your family. God bless. Michelle
Jenna, thank you for sharing this beautiful story and reminding me/us of the importance of the people around us. Much love and peace this Christmas season!
Jenna your Advent Sacred Story is especially meaningful and supportive as I listened and reflected on your message. Your closing question (“Who has appeared in your life as loving support when you needed it the most?”) brought the “passing” of my wife of 40 years into my tearful heart and soul. Sadly yet joyful I am grateful to have lived with a saint.
What a touching story. I love to be able to literally a candle. Our prayers go up and many times answered.I have a granddaughter at St Mary’s. I hope she lights a candle for our family to be united. God gave us families for a reason
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
I watched your story in tears, remembering my time at my father’s bedside not long ago, playing Notre Dame Our Mother for him. I’m sure they have found each other in the Notre Dame section of heaven and beam with pride for their faithful daughters.