32- I Need Three Hours

In 1987, in West Covina, California, after finishing the vespers prayers and the Bible study, a person came to me saying, “Don’t you know me? I am (...) from St. George church in Sporting, Alexandria.”

After I saluted him he said to me, “I will tell you about my first meeting with Father Pishoy Kamel. I met him at church and he affected me very much. I went to him and said to him, “Father, I need to confess.”

“Let it be now.”

“But I need three hours to tell you about my whole life. Then, I can confess and may be I can have communion. Whenever you are free for three hours, just tell me.”

“Let it be now.”

I sat by his side talking about my sins and weaknesses, and with his smiling face I felt that all my burdens were taken-off me. All his comments were very short but full of hope in my Christ. After 5 minutes I found nothing to say but I felt longing to have communion so I asked him, “Can I have communion now?”

He said, “Yes, why not?”

I left him full of joy. I thought that confession is a great burden and needs long hours but now I knew my Christ’s love to me and his rich blessings. Father Pishoy has given me hope in Christ and by that my whole life has changed.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: محتاج إلى ثلاث ساعات.

I saw You, So I loved You.

I saw You my Savior on the Cross.

I knew You O the sin Forgiver.

You, open the doors of hope in front of me.

* I no more fear the sin.

With You I enjoy victory.

I confess to You all my sins,

And with Your Holy Spirit,

I am filled with Your righteousness.

Father Mina Passed Away

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

I will listen to both sides