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In life, we encounter people whom we don't see or feel in any way. We pass by each other, and that's it. But, often, the person who has passed in front of you once, twice, "n" times, one day, you see them differently. You feel them differently! The same thing happens with saints. We hear of a saint, but it doesn't touch our heart at all. Until one day, when... something happens: either a miracle, or a joy, or a sorrow – and he is there, present, around the corner.
Saint Blandina was also waiting for me around the corner. I admit, I didn't give much importance to the saint at first, especially when there was talk of canonization. But, as I said, a day comes that changes everything.
Last Sunday was the local canonization of the saint. And, I don't know why, but my heart ignited with a longing for her. I was eager to reach her. And since saints don't need many words, nor many gifts or thoughts, the Saint brought me to her.
Monday morning I was in Iași. To be fair, at the hospital. Lately, trips to Iași are frequent for such visits, but it's a perfect opportunity to also go to Saint Parascheva, and now, also to Saint Blandina. Getting back... After a few hours of waiting in the hallways (with feelings of sickness and more), but also with an impatience to go to the Metropolitan Cathedral, behold... I go to the Saint. I slowly climb the stairs in the courtyard, my heart leaps with emotion. But a very great emotion, and I don't know why. Because, I repeat, I hadn't attached my heart so strongly to the Saint, from the beginning. And I take my place in line. In my mind, the Saint was surely placed next to Saint Parascheva. And I take one step, then another step, and I think about what to tell her or how to thank her (while I was in the hospital hallway and my condition kept changing, I also received a phone call that didn't bring very good news. Temptations, in short. And it came to my mind: "Saint Blandina, please, help me to receive the reproach from people just as you received it from your own son!". And yes, help came immediately!).
And again I take a step, until... from around the corner, a small, simple wooden reliquary, placed at the feet of Saint Catherine, if I'm not mistaken... It's the Saint! My dear Saint! I have no words to express what I felt: a peace, a tranquility, but a tranquility born from the Saint's humility, from her gentleness, I don't know how to explain it. I bowed without saying anything more to her, I was speechless. After reaching Saint Parascheva as well, I turn back and again bow to Saint Blandina, more composed this time.
I then withdrew into a corner and watched people pass by her reliquary without noticing her. I thought that her life must have been like that too: simple, with peace and humility. She passed unnoticed by people! She served Christ with and without time and stayed close to Saint Parascheva. And the Saint, because true friends don't forget others, waited for the right time and received her next to herself... as a Saint!
Alexandrina