A Story from Rome

Did you notice that in my last post I mentioned that the American Monsignor at the Roman Rota told us a story about Monsignor Callaghan? Being that it was new to us, you probably havn't heard it either. Perhaps you would like to know. OK, you talked me into it.

It so happens that Msgr C knows a fellow from somewhere who is a collector. This fellow is a collector of buttons. Not just any buttons, but buttons from military uniforms from around the world. Of course, Msgr C was in Rome for a lengthy time and knew his way around the Vatican, etc..., etc... This fellow sought the good Monsignor for his assistence in snatching a gem for his collection--a button from a Swiss Guard uniform.

Anyone who knows Msgr C knows that he would likely have more success at such a request than the Holy Father himself, but I digress. ;) One day, he saw a Swiss Guard, perhaps passing through an entry at the Vatican (I think this other Msgr was with him too)and he simply asked this guard if he would return the next day at a certain time with an extra button from his uniform.



You guessed correctly, the Guard came through and the other fellow's button collection was expanded. Well, this isn't the end of the story. Msgr C decided to offer a bit of gratitude to the Guard and offered to buy him a beer. When Msgr C bought him that beer he suggested to him that he ought to consider becoming a priest. Not long afterwards, the Guard returned home and entered the seminary.