Young African woman crawls 2.5 miles to attend Sunday Mass
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Olivia (Photo courtesy of AVAN)

Valencia, Fla., Aug 28, 2008 / 01:42 am (CNA).- The Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly in Chissano (Mozambique) took into their home this week a 25 year-old African young girl named Olivia, who despite not being baptized at the time and not having any legs, crawled 2.5 miles every Sunday to attend Mass.

According to the AVAN news agency, the nuns said that one day, they saw “something moving on the ground far away,” and when they drew near they saw, “to our surprise, that it was a young woman.”

“We were able to talk to her through a lady who was walking by and who translated into Portuguese what she was saying to us” in her dialect, they said.

The sisters said that although “the sand from the road burned the palms of her hands during the hottest times of the year,” the young woman crawled to Mass, “giving witness of perseverance and heroic faith.”

The young woman received baptismal preparation from a catechist, who periodically visited her at home.  After she was recently baptized, one of the benefactors of the sisters donated a wheel chair for Olivia.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Kathy
Chicago 09/28/2008 10:24 AM EST
What an inspiring story. And to think that I complain when I have to walk two blocks to church in the rain. Shame on me! I will always remember this courageous woman!!
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Published by: Maurice
Kenya 09/26/2008 12:53 PM EST
Tears are rolling from my eyes as I read this short article. Thanks Olivia, and may God bless you. I am a seminarian preparing for priesthood, but am not sure I have the faith that you have. Thanks for shaking me up!
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Published by: Ashley
USA 09/07/2008 09:59 AM EST
May God bless this woman, her faith is great as we all can see.
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Published by: Maria Dominguez
Ponce, Puerto Rico 08/31/2008 02:46 AM EST
Great report! Sometimes we need a reminder that there is no excuse what so ever for not going to church. GOD BLESS this young woman and also the person who donated the wheel chair for her.
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Published by: Glenn Igljupas
Iligan City Philippines 08/30/2008 11:30 PM EST
You are truly an inspiration to all mankind. God Bless You...
Make Love Not War
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Published by: Gary
New Oleans 08/30/2008 10:37 AM EST
None
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Published by: Bob O'Neil
Colorado Springs, CO. USA 08/29/2008 11:27 PM EST
What an inspiration. You think God isn't smiling on her?
It wasn't mentioned but I assume she had to crawl 2.5 miles back home. That is awesome.
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Published by: Doug M.
Moose Jaw, Sk Canada 08/29/2008 09:22 PM EST
This witness ends my complaining and laziness.
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Published by: Robin G Plummer
Charlotte,NC USA 08/29/2008 04:44 PM EST
God continue to bless Olivia. I am in tears. Jesus is truly alive and dwelling among us. Thank God Olivia gave her "fiat" (yes)and allowed the Lord to use her in such a powerful way. He truly uses the little and humble to speak so loudly..
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Published by: Steve
Manchester/NH/US 08/29/2008 12:55 PM EST
May God forgive me for complaining about anything. This women has made me feel ashamed of my selfish complaints.
Ave Maria full of Grace may you watch over this Holy women. Lets us pray.
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Published by: THERESA
BROOKLYN,NY 08/29/2008 09:37 AM EST
may God bless her all the days of her life!
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Published by: Redtown
Connecticut 08/29/2008 08:40 AM EST
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning, said to the crowd… “Not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” (Luke 7: 9)
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Published by: Imelda Boyd
Ireland 08/29/2008 06:53 AM EST
What a saint! I feel ashamed and humbled and also very thankful that this lady has taught me something.
God bless her
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Published by: Janet
Philadelphia,Pa 08/29/2008 06:31 AM EST
I just printed this out for the kids in my CCD class that will start to meet in October.

I will refer to it when they tell me that they can't get to Mass because they're too busy.
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Published by: Marianne Johnpillai
Sri Lanka 08/29/2008 05:38 AM EST
What a marvellous grace from God! I once heard a dear priest from New Zealand say to us, in the homily, it is when one is really sick, one needs to go for Holy Mass to receive Jesus. We are all sick- physically or spiritually, so we all so need the healing power of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist . May there be many such Olivias in the world that speak to an unbeliever's heart.
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Published by: Dr Dorothy
Holbrook, AZ 08/29/2008 01:48 AM EST
Thank you for this inspiring report. However, I would have appreciated more biographical information about Olivia.
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Published by: Mary Ann McAndrew
Hammond, La. U.S.A. 08/29/2008 12:29 AM EST
How powerful is this young ladies love for our Lord, truly, truly inspiring! May God Bless Your efforts and may learn from your loving sacrifice.
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Published by: Lester
Philippines 08/28/2008 10:51 PM EST
Praise God's goodness and for using Olivia to touch people's hearts.
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Published by: Sister Maxine McIntosh, F.M.S.
Jamaica 08/28/2008 09:02 PM EST
Amazing! What faith! Such determination! Truly an inspiration. May God bless Olivia. She is a true witness.
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Published by: dina624
massapequa, ny, usa 08/28/2008 07:36 PM EST
She is absolutely beautiful.
dina
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Published by: Philip Saenz
Houston/Tx/USA 08/28/2008 07:25 PM EST
She's the greatest Catholic in the world.
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Published by: Nancy
Louisville, KY, US 08/28/2008 05:49 PM EST
Now that's faith! We should all be as devout as this woman.She is a true light in a cynical world.
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Published by: John Hetman
Niles,Illinois, USA 08/28/2008 05:05 PM EST
I can no longer make excuses based on fatigue or inclement winter weather to miss Sunday mass after reading about Olivia. Angels come in many forms...some without legs.
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Published by: martha
houma louisiana u s 08/28/2008 04:41 PM EST
what a wonderful witness!
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Published by: Bab M.
Butte, Montana 08/28/2008 02:12 PM EST
Truly AWESOME!!!
Olivia knows her Savior will be waiting for her when she arrives. He will be
there in His Body,
Blood, Soul and Divinity truly present
in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Praise God for such faith!!!!!!
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Published by: Lee Anders
Oswego, IL 08/28/2008 12:28 PM EST
What a wonderful story. She makes me ashamed to complain about the few inconveniences I have getting to Mass. I hope her story is sent to every parish in the world.
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Published by: g
TN 08/28/2008 12:05 PM EST
Thank you for running this. It is so inspiring to those of us who are so spoiled by the Lord's Presence in Mass on a daily basis!
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Published by: Joe M.
Andover/MA/USA 08/28/2008 12:04 PM EST
Wow! What great faith she has! I wish I had the determination and faith that this woman has. God bless her!
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Published by: Brad L Farr
Littleton,Colorado,USA 08/28/2008 12:01 PM EST
And I thought I had a long ways to go to Mass.
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