Pray for the Cardinals

“We must pray and pray much; for... no science, no human prudence can furnish a remedy to the evils that desolate the Church: the all-powerful arm of God is needed. 

We must pray to Jesus Christ that he may give us as the Head of his Church a man, less remarkable by his science and human prudence, than by his fervor and his zeal for the honor of God; a man, absolutely inaccessible to every intrigue, who is above all human respect. For, if we have the misfortune to have a Pope elected, who is not a man that seeks only the glory of God, the Lord will aid us but little, and in the present state of things all will go from bad to worse. 

Prayer, then, is the only remedy. 

I have, therefore, written to all the houses of our humble Congregation, and have enjoined upon them to pray with more than ordinary fervor for the election of a new Pope.... Such is the advice that can be given by a miserable man like myself.”

–St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Bishop of S. Agata dei Goti
Letter from Arienzo
24 October 1774

Prayers, If You Would

If you wouldn't mind, would you please say a prayer for my grandfather?  His name is John, he is 98 years old, and he fell and broke his hip. He was originally scheduled for hip replacement tomorrow morning, but now will be receiving a pace maker, and the hip will come Sunday.  They determined that he's having 'heart block', and that is what caused him to faint, collapse, and break the hip yesterday morning.

Mimi and Liza with Great-Grandpa, Christmas 2004

Given his age, the surgery will be pretty rough on him, and elderly patients are more prone to pneumonia while in the hospital because they're not as active as they are at home.  And yes, he lives at home.  We lost Grandma over ten years ago, and Grandpa has been managing at home on his own.  I am fearing that everything will now change for him.

So if you wouldn't mind remembering him in your prayers, I'd be very appreciative.

Updated 2/26 to add:  Well, it's going rather well, all things considered.  The pace maker surgery was scrapped (cardiologist determined it was an issue with meds), hip replacement was in progress late this afternoon, and then they needed to put in a temporary pace maker during the hip surgery.   Oooh boy!
Grandpa is doing well so far in Cardiac ICU.  We're taking things one day at a time for now, according to God's will.

Updated 2/28 to add:  I went to visit Grandpa yesterday.  He is in great spirits and is doing very well.  He will now have to undergo surgery today for the pace maker.  After a total of about 24 hours (why??!!   I'm not sure...) we were finally able to secure the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for Grandpa, due in great part to the persistence of deep conviction and a wonderful priest.

Updated 3/2 to add: This man amazes me!  He is out of ICU,  never did have the surgery for the pacemaker.  It was determined that one of the meds he was taking was causing this 'heart block'.  So far so good.  He will be looking ahead to inpatient rehab for that new hip of his soon!
Thank you for your prayers.  May Almighty God bless you.

What Would You Do?

Would you be willing to die if you were accused of, and acknowledged, being a Christian?  You will be hung in three days.  Unless you deny Christ.  Are you ready to die for your faith?  You've been beaten and sexually assaulted in prison, by guards and inmates alike, all because you will not denounce your faith in Jesus.  You're ready to die?

Would you think about your wife and six children, and decide not to leave them just yet?  They've now had to flee your home, your country, fearing for their safety.  Would you deny Jesus? 

Read this article.  (Edited to say:  Note the date at the top of the article.)

Please remember his soul (and his family) in your prayers.


Hat tip:  Oldest son, Ryan

On the Feast of St. Blaise

“Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Blessing of St. Blaise).

Happy Feast Day, Saint Andrew

Today is St. Andrew's Feast Day. 

He is commonly known as the first Disciple of Jesus. 

I really like this guy.  Our family is what it is because of his intercession.  

Our last three children are here because I asked, no! begged, for his help.  And he came through, in ways I never could have imagined.  (That's a long story, and I'll save it for another time.)

Naturally, we'll have fish for dinner tonight.  Not only because he was a fisherman with his father and brother (Simon Peter), but also because Jesus told Andrew and Simon Peter that He would make them "fishers of men."  So fish is just an obvious choice. 

Edited to add our dinner photo:

A bowl of Potato Soup, tossed salad, corn and a fillet of baked pollack

Notice our statue of St. Andrew and the Advent wreath on the table, too.  Delish.

I am posting the following prayer, it is known as the Christmas Prayer,  The St. Andrew Prayer or The Prayer to Obtain Favors.  Be forewarned, though.  Make certain you really want what you ask for....

St. Andrew's Prayer
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment 
in which the son of God was born of the 
most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, 
in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.  
In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! 
to hear my prayer and grant my desires, 
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
and of His blessed Mother.  Amen.

It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayers fifteen times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew until Christmas will obtain what is asked.

It is our family's Feast Day today, and we will thank St. Andrew, and thank God, for his unfailing intercession.