Debbie Moldenauer was eagerly anticipating the pilgrimage to Rome with other Catholic Financial Life members. She and her husband, Curt, had worked through all the details with their employers and were anxiously counting down the days until their departure.
But two weeks before the trip, Debbie suffered an injury that made walking unbearable. “I resigned that I wouldn’t be able to go because of the difficulty I would have on the trip,” Debbie explained.
But that’s when Curt lovingly jumped into action. “I knew how much this trip meant to her and I wanted her to go and see all the amazing sights,” Curt said.
With help from trip guides, Curt arranged for a wheelchair, and devised ways to work around Debbie’s limitation. Rome is filled with cobblestone streets, endless stairs, and steep hills, yet Curt lovingly pushed Debbie in a wheelchair, even in the rain, with a steady determination to make this a trip she would never forget.
On the last day of the pilgrimage, Debbie and Curt were seated in the front row of the Papal Audience. At the end of the audience the Holy Father left the platform and to their great surprise, he stopped and extended his hand to Debbie. “I actually shook the Pope’s hand,” said Debbie. “I don’t remember if I even managed to speak, it was so unexpected. And then he shook Curt’s hand too.”
The Lord took the couple’s adversity and provided a beautiful blessing—the opportunity to meet the Pope with a handshake!
“I’m so thankful to the guides, the other members, everyone was so kind to me and offered help throughout the pilgrimage,“ Debbie said. “And I’m thankful to Curt for making it possible.”
“I was happy to do it,” Curt said.