1998: What I Dreamed After Papi's Death

In which Teófilo tells of a dream he had after his grandfather's passing.

Main Altar view of Santa María Reina Parish Church, Ponce, PR. (Source).

Papi's passing had a deep effect on me, as I've said. Though neither Mom and Dad had yet passed, Papi's death felt I'd become a partial orphan. It's something I didn't feel when Mamá Ana died back in 1971. That's because I'd had Papi longer and had become an adult under his watch.

One month after his passing, in November 1998, I had a dream. I dreamed I was in Papi's bedroom, standing by his deathbed. He then told me: "Go to the altar of the Virgin and bring me a flower - or rose." I said "yes" and obeyed right away. I entered into a church that resembled our parish church, Santa María Reina. I couldn't tell for sure because the dream vision was hazy. I went up the altar steps looking for it but couldn't find it.

Then I saw a walking staff. A beautiful rose-colored lily sprouted from the top of the staff. I took the walking staff, and the dream ended.

Representation of a rose lily sprouting from a walking staff. (Generated by Substack’s AI)

My Interpretation

I thought about St. Joseph. Ancient Christian art depicts Joseph with a rod sprouting white lilies. The white lily symbolizes Joseph's purity and righteousness. The one I took from the altar was rose. The rose color is understandable, as I'm not as pure and righteous as St. Joseph is.

I thought that my walking staff and its lily were a symbol of the rebirth of my Catholic faith. In my unconscious mind, Papi had become a supernatural being. Because of this, he'd become a suitable messenger from God.

Then again, Papi had said the flower was for him. He's said bring me the rose, but he wasn't here anymore. It means I had to safeguard the lily until I see Papi again. It means I must remain a Catholic Christian before I enter the Kingdom. And the walking staff? It's mine; it’s a symbol of my earthly pilgrimage.

Bonus Video

Lots of Catholic lore here. These are pious beliefs, not the binding, public revelation found in Tradition consisting of the Written Word (the Bible) and the Oral Word (the Liturgy, the Creeds, and other very important, normative teachings).