I went into the Paulist Center chapel

a half-hour-plus before their midday Mass.

I found a fortysomething woman, barefoot,

pacing calmly, absorbed in gladsome light.

Her knee-high boots, her bags, and other things

were clustered by a sideways-facing pew.

Without self-consciousness, she gently moved,

blessing the hallowed space with tender tread.

Opposite where she moved, I found a place

to sit and contemplate Sustaining Grace

made visible in her, my even-Christian.

After several minutes, I got up and walked

across the chapel to Our Lady's corner.

The woman smiled at me. And I smiled back.