Happy Pentecost! A story of the Holy Spirit

This letter was submitted by a recent visitor to Sylvan Springs relating her own account of her experiences. It seems to be very fitting on this Pentecost Sunday.

The Holy Spirit is alive and working. Come Holy Spirit and dwell within us.


During a recent visit to Sylvan Springs in Rome City, I had an experience that completely overwhelmed me, and I feel like it’s meant to be shared. I had been to Sylvan Springs twice before, and have felt that there’s something there, but can’t quite describe it. This trip, I decided, was exactly what I needed to get some “alone” time for prayer. Whatever I was given on this trip, I was hoping to take back home for the good of my family. Larry gave a great talk on the history of Sylvan Springs and his part in making it what it is today. Some of the things that have happened to him are incredibly moving. Just hearing about the true power of God as He works through ordinary people, and the gifts He gives if we are willing to accept them was inspiring.

Later, as we prayed the Rosary in the chapel I told myself that this was my chance to really pray. As I had come with no kids or husband this time, I had no distractions. I wanted to take full advantage of my opportunity. As we started to pray the third decade, The Birth of Jesus, I suddenly got a chill through my entire body, followed by a feverish warmth. My first thought was “swine flu”, but that thought quickly passed. As my heart started beating harder, I had the sensation that it would pound out of my chest if it could. I envisioned it as you would see it in a cartoon, literally pushing itself out of my chest. Despite this pounding heartbeat, my breathing remained normal. I could still hear the Rosary being prayed, and could move my lips to the prayers, but no sound would come out of my mouth. I felt as if my eyes would not open, but maybe I just wasn’t trying. After the fleeting “swine flu” moment, I never had a feeling that something was medically wrong with me. I just settled into the comforting, peaceful feeling that the rhythm of the Rosary brought. At the end of the decade, it was gone; the extreme peace, the pounding heart, the inability to speak, all of it. I finished the Rosary in wonder of the experience I had just had. It was truly like nothing I had ever experienced before.

After the Rosary was finished, Irv Kloska and his wife offered to pray over anyone who wanted them to. I had seen Irv pray over people before, and knew that he had the gift of healing. I had nothing medically wrong, and had decided not to get in the way of those who really needed healing. However, something he said before praying over anyone made me change my mind. I honestly can’t remember what it even was, but it made me think that even though I had no urgent medical concerns, I definitely could use a few prayers. So I joined the large group who lined the front of the chapel. As they moved down the line, praying over everyone individually, I suddenly got the chills/fever and fierce heartbeat again. As soon as Irv’s thumbs touched my forehead, I started to sob. I told myself, “This is ridiculous. I’m not going to cry in front of all these people.” But there was nothing I could do about it. Trying to stop the crying, the heartbeat and the feverish feeling was in vain. I couldn’t (or maybe wouldn’t) open my eyes and I heard someone say either “let go” or “let it go”. In that same moment, I was totally at peace, just like during the Rosary, but apparently on the floor.

I’ve been told that I was probably “resting in the Spirit”, but I really can’t say whether that’s true or not. I had no visions or voices come to me. What I do know is that it was the most powerful, prayerful experience that I have ever had, and that I wonder what the purpose of it was. If it was to inspire others to come to Rome City and experience Sylvan Springs for themselves, then so be it. If it was for me to go home as a stronger, more faith-filled parent, then that’s okay too. Just as it’s not good to hide your light under a basket, I’ve decided on this Pentecost Day that it’s not good to hide an amazing experience with the Holy Spirit either.

Gospel
Jn 7:37-39

On the last and greatest day of the feast,
Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
"Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
As Scripture says:
Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me."

He said this in reference to the Spirit
that those who came to believe in him were to receive.
There was, of course, no Spirit yet,
because Jesus had not yet been glorified.