Don't be daft, Sanctus. You don't need to apologise for your suffering being for so long! God Bless and keep you. May He give you some relief tonight and may some Veronica step forward to wipe your brow.
Never a need to apologize for reaching out for prayer and support… actually it’s courageous since your willing to acknowledge your weakness and need. Jesus is always near those who are in need and humble. We will continue to pray for you.
I came across the most wonderful saying from Father Hardon in a lecture, which he repeated for emphasise three times. 'The more sufferings the soul has the greater it's holiness'. I have found two great consolations at present. One to switch off sources that comment on the Church when they are too negative. When they kind of go on and on too much . I have switched of Michael Voris and the Vortex for instance. I get the picture, I don't need to be buried up to my neck in it. A second great consolation is to seek the positive in everything and believe me there always a positive. I told the priest in confession a few weeks ago I was fast turning into a sour old crank. He advised me to seek the good in everyone and everything. I have been trying to do so. It has nearly killed me, but I have been trying. I suppose I will always be a crank. But I hope I will always be a crank who can stand back and have a good laugh at myself.
Thank you Sam for posting this prayer, that Logos spoke of. I have since prayed it; it has powerful content, I will continue to pray this prayer, praise God
Sanctus, I continue to pray for you, May God relieve your sufferings through the prayers of all the faithful here. May your sufferings and prayers united with the prayers of the MoG prayer warriors, touch the Heart of Our Dearest Mother, Mary most Holy, to give you a time of reprieve, for you to rest and recoup. Oh Mary conceived without sin and who suffered for Sanctus, Pray for Sanctus at this time. Amen
Is this the one, Sanctus? Suffering is the greatest treasure on earth; it purifies the soul. In suffering, we learn who our true friend is. Bless you for sharing this, Padraig. Gives me great light and comfort for the journey ahead of me in 2023.
Thank you Padraig, The Lord in His Mercy has allowed me to see the good in all people, over many years. This has actually put me in a disadvantaged position in some areas of my life. Especially in regards to my youngest daughter who is the one who has caused the overwhelming grief I spoke of above. As Padre Pio says Love is blind but has legs and can run; however prudence has eyes and can see the pitfalls, so therefore the two virtues (Love and Prudence) must walk together hand in hand as sisters. My third son (when he was 12 years old) befriended a 13 year old boy who was a ward of the state (a foster child) he had been through many foster homes and I was aware that his current foster family were about to ditch this child once again because he had an argument with the foster parents eldest boy (who was 18 years old). Apparently he had behavioural problems, however he was always polite and well behaved in my presence. I felt sorry for this boy. I mistakenly believed he was misunderstood and needed a loving family. I had my own seven living children but was seriously thinking of giving this boy a stable home in my family and fostering him. I even spoke to my holy Parish priest about this idea, but thankfully my Parish priest advised me not to do this and so I did not foster him. I say thankfully because years later I was informed by 2 of my daughters that this 13 year old boy had sexually molested them when he stayed over and he only ever came to our home 3 times. One daughter was aged 10 and the other 6. That is just part of the pain my youngest daughter feels. She is a very intelligent and determined person and professionally adept as is her lawyer fiancé, they are raising their two children, my grandchildren, in a way that is devoid of family and God, and the last interaction I had with her a few days ago, she stated that she is insulted because I sent her, her fiancé and my 2 grandchildren, Christmas gifts, (books) and (colouring books for the children) about the faith. She said this was passive aggressive. There was of course other things she stated that she is upset with. It is a saga that I really thought had ended about 12 months ago but since then she has disowned 2 of her brothers and a sister and my pleas for sense, love and forgiveness, have produced a seeming hatred for me and her father. The Lord is in control and I know this suffering is to be lived and carried in Love, in union with Our Most Blessed Sorrowful and Immaculate Mother Mary, knowing God is using the suffering for greater things. I find great comfort in the following prayer of St Faustina.... Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen
I really love the story of St Ambrose (Bishop of Milan) meeting St Monica (mother of St Augustine) crying her eyes out after Mass in Church. St Ambrose asked St Monica why she was crying and when she told him St Augustine was breaking her heart, St Ambrose replied, 'The child of Such tears could never be lost'. I could say the same of your own tears.
I can identify with much of this with my youngest son. He is not indifferent to the faith he is outright hostile. I know he thinks I am a gullible fool for believing as I do. A serpent's tooth as Shakespeare describes the wound inflicted by a child is very very apt. I unite my prayers with yours.
“If you follow the will of God, you know that in spite of all the terrible things that happen to you, you will never lose a final refuge. You know that the foundation of the world is love, so that even when no human being can or will help you, you may go on, trusting in the One that loves you.” — “Jesus of Nazareth” Pope Benedict.
“Blessed are you when men revile you and say all manner of things against you for My sake,” I may have misquoted slightly.
Lately whenever I open the daily missal the page that opens up is December the eighth. Perhaps it is a sign that Mary is with me.
