How Prayer Stopped a Kansas Storm

By Archbishop Joseph Naumann | Naumann is the Archbishop for the diocese of Kansas City, Kan.

Jan. 1, 2010, The Leaven, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City-Kansas

This past Sept. 8, the feast of the birth of Mary, I had the privilege to dedicate a new Marian grotto on the campus of Benedictine College. The college was founded a little over 150 years ago — approximately the same time that Mary appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes. In part because of this historical connection, but even moreso because of the beautiful Marian devotion of so many of the Benedictine students, the leadership of the college had decided to erect, at a very prominent location on the campus, a special outdoor space for prayer in honor of Mary.

The schedule for Sept. 8 began with a 5 p.m. Mass in St. Benedict’s Abbey church, followed by a procession to the grotto for the blessing and dedication. At 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Sept. 8, it was pouring rain at our chancery offices. All the weather reports predicted rain throughout northeast Kansas for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Benedictine president Steve Minnis has a beautiful devotion to our Blessed Mother. He was aware of Mother Teresa’s use of the “Memorare novena” for special needs. In recent years, President Minnis formed what he dubbed the “Memorare Army,” asking them to imitate Mother Teresa by invoking Mary’s intercession through the praying of the “Memorare” for special needs of the college.

I called President Minnis shortly after 3 p.m. on Sept. 8, encouraging him to get the “Memorare Army” praying for good weather for the grotto dedication. He promised to rally the troops!

On my drive to Benedictine College that afternoon, the rain persisted right to the city limits of Atchison. As I arrived at the abbey church around 4:30 p.m., there was no rain. Yet, the skies looked ominous. I feared that by 6 p.m., the time for the blessing of the grotto, Atchison would also be enveloped in rain.

When we processed out of the abbey church to go to the grotto, the sun was shining. The weather was perfect for the blessing of the grotto. Much to my amazement, it did not start raining in Atchison until 9 p.m., well after the outdoor festivities were concluded.

President Minnis, some weeks later, told me that one of the college staff happened to be in Kansas City the night of the grotto dedication. Fearing that the rain had dampened the dedication ceremony, he was talking to an air traffic controller about the day’s weather. The controller expressed his amazement about the storm system that had rolled across Kansas at a steady clip, only to stall inexplicably at 4 p.m. outside of Atchison for approximately 5 hours.

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Benedictine College

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Have a blessed Sunday! Read the Rosary Meditations for the Glorious Mysteries.

The opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the college.