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2. prayer

Taking the time to communicate their inner feelings led the
spouses to overcome the modesty of being together in the presence of
God, in a dialogue that becomes intimate.
«Since our childhood..., – writes one of his sons –, we were
struck by the particular attitude [of great contemplation] of our father
when visiting the Blessed Sacrament, in Church.... It was still my
father who, after dinner, began and led the family recitation of the
rosary.... As far as I remember, my father and mother received the
Eucharist every day and passed this habit on to us.... I also remember
with excitement how much my father loved to serve Mass...especially CONCRETE INSTRUMENTS OF HOLINESS
that of the many priests who attended the house» .
34
Prayer is the joy of the daily encounter with God but, at the same
time, it is a commitment that Luigi and Maria made and maintained
at precise moments throughout their days.
After becoming a widow, Maria recalls: «The day began like
this: Mass and Communion together. [...] Upon leaving Church
he would say ‘good morning’ to me as if the day only then had a
reasonable beginning. [...] at dinner, the newspaper - read aloud and
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discussed - then the rosary together, and off to bed» .

ideas For reFlection

• Let’s reflect together on our prayer: personal, family, as a
couple.

34 Beati Luigi e Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, op.cit.
35 Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, L’ordito e la trama. op.cit., pp. 6-7.