Novena to Padre Pio - Day 4
Discouragement
Although the weather report threatened rain,1 we went to the Nationals game yesterday. We had lots of fun cheering on the home team, even though they lost.
We really want to keep enjoying these times together, but Amelia’s challenges are becoming more and more difficult. It might be hard to tell from a distance, because we always share photos of Amelia smiling. She struggles with expressing herself, and sometimes it feels as if we’re cut off from her. It’s hard to know what she’s thinking beyond big, strong emotions like happy or sad.
Padre Pio said—
Be careful never to become discouraged when you are surrounded by difficulty or infirmity. If you are experiencing some weakness, God is not abandoning you, but offering you the opportunity to grow in humility and gratitude.
We are eternally grateful for Amelia, and this place we find ourselves is humbling. We hope you’ll continue to pray for us as well as Amelia.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O St. Pio, we come to you today knowing that you are truly a miracle worker. As one who is close to Jesus, we ask that you would pray for these our intentions:
Please heal Amelia of her metachromatic leukodystrophy.
We pray with the words of Pope John Paul II as we beg for your prayers on her behalf:
Glorious, humble and beloved Padre Pio. Teach us, we pray, humility of heart, so that we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel to whom the Father promised to reveal the mysteries of His Kingdom. Help us to pray without ceasing, certain that God knows what we need even before we ask Him.
Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize in the poor and suffering, the very face of Jesus.
Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial and, if we fall, let us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness. Grant us your tender devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus and our Mother.
Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage toward the blessed Homeland, where we too, hope to arrive to contemplate forever the Glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
In closing, St. Pio, we pray the prayer you composed for Confidence and Trust in God’s Mercy:
O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your divine mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church.
Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.
May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater glory.
O Jesus, most adorable Heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.
Amen.
All glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
St. Padre Pio, Pray for us!
What is that?
We are eternally grateful for Amelia. <3 <3 <3
"Padre Pio said—
Be careful never to become discouraged when you are surrounded by difficulty or infirmity. If you are experiencing some weakness, God is not abandoning you, but offering you the opportunity to grow in humility and gratitude."
I needed this today. Thank you.