Divine Mercy for Flight 1549

This email was sent to Vinny Flynn, author of Seven Secrets Of The Eucharist. The story can be found on his website, MercySong. It's amazing, but not surprising if you know about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 2:08 pm
Subject: Passenger of flight 1549

Vinny,

I sincerely hope this email finds its way to you. I was a passenger on
flight 1549 and my name is Fred Berretta. You might have caught a
glimpse of me or heard me on CNN or Fox the night of the crash. I
interviewed with Lou Dobbs, Wolf Blitzer and Bill O'Reilly and
discussed the crash that night.

I had been on a one day business trip to NY and sat in seat 16A just
behind the left engine. My trip was a last minute decision the day
before. I finished my meetings early on Thursday and realized I had
time to attend the 12 noon mass at St. Patrick Cathedral. It was
unusual for me to have the extra time, but that day I did. After Mass,
I stopped by the gift shop just across from the cathedral and purchased
your book, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. As I waited to board flight 1549
bound for Charlotte, where I live, I began reading your book. I
continued reading while we taxied until just after take off.

I think I got through about half of it and then decided to close my
eyes and reflect on the incredible insights your book gave me regarding
the Eucharist. We were climbing out and just a minute or so into the
flight I heard the impact of the bird strikes and then the explosion in
the left engine. I could see it on fire and the cabin began to smell
like jet fuel. As a private pilot, once I realized the second engine
was also not functioning, things became quite tense.

While I had known about and prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet years
before, I had not really focused on it in quite a long time.
Ironically, I had prayed the chaplet the day before at 3 pm. I had
forgotten that in my briefcase I had long kept a copy of a booklet of
the Divine Mercy chaplet which had exerpts from St. Faustina's diary.
When I arrived in NY, I had some time at my hotel and decided to clean
out my briefcase, something long overdue. I found the Divine Mercy
booklet, prayed the chaplet, and read some of the words of Jesus to
Faustina.

Before we hit the water, I thought about the words Jesus said, that
nothing would be refused if asked for during the hour of mercy. I
really thought there was a good chance myself and others would die that
day, but I asked God to be merciful to us, I prayed the Lord' prayer
and a Hail Mary. I then prayed to St. Michael, and we impacted the
water. The odds were not with us that day, but God clearly was. I
believe it is the only jet airliner to successfully ditch in the water
without fatalities in the history of aviation.

I just want you to know that your book gave me comfort as we were going
down, and for that I am grateful. I know a lot of people prayed on that
plane, and I believe the Miracle on the Hudson was a testament to the
mercy of God, and a sign of hope.

Take care and may God continue to bless your ministry and all you do to
spread the message of Divine Mercy and the wonders of Holy Communion.

Best regards,

Fred Berretta