The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
PONTIFF WRITES TO TIFFANY
POPE FRANCIS PENS LETTER TO KILLARNEY GIRL FOR HER POSTPONED HOLY COMMUNION DAY
NINE-YEAR-OLD Tiffany O’Brien was to make her Holy Communion on May 23. It was, of course, to be a very special day for the little girl, who says she loves to pray and read the bible every night.
However, COVID-19 ended the big celebration for Tiffany for now, but her would-be special day ended up being special in its own right after she received a letter from Pope Francis to mark the occasion.
Tiffany, who is a pupil at St Oliver’s School in Ballycasheen, had written a letter to Pope Francis back in January to ask for a blessing for her Holy Communion.
She never expected she would receive a reply, and she most certainly never thought it would come during the current pandemic.
However, the day before her wouldbe Holy Communion last week, a letter arrived to her home in Ballyspillane from Pope Francis acknowledging her letter and stating that he hoped she would “always grow in her friendship with Jesus.”
The letter was signed by Monsignor Luigi Roberto Cona, who said he was asked to write to Tiffany on behalf of Pope Francis.
Tiffany said she was thrilled with the letter.
“I am really, really happy. My faith is very important to me,” she said.
“The letter is something I will treasure forever. I will get it framed,” she told The Kerryman.
Her father, Richard, who helped pen the letter for Tiffany said he could not believe Pope Francis replied.
“A lot of thought went into this letter as it arrived just one day before Tiffany’s
Holy Communion so that I would be able the present it to her,” he said.
“The letter has brought Tiffany great joy, and it shows that Pope Francis is a true servant of God, never forgetting any of his flock even in these most strange and difficult times,” he added.
He said that Tiffany has and always has had great faith, and he added that the ‘kind gesture’ by Pope Francis means a lot to both Tiffany and her family.