Novena to Padre Pio - Day 5
An Observant Child
Her entire life, people have told us that Amelia is very observant. Even when she was very little, she’d prefer to sit back and watch what others were doing before jumping in herself. We even saw it today at mass, at the gorgeous St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
Amelia sat quietly, listening to the readings and homily. It probably helps that we usually watch the Catholic Kids Media video a day or two before.1
It’s really hard for us, on the outside, to know how much she’s actually taking in and understanding. Most kids know more than they let on, and Amelia’s no different. We can’t tell how much of the communications difficulties I wrote about yesterday is due to her not having anything to say, and how much is due to not being able to say.
We shouldn’t imagine a movie-like situation, where her internal monologue is functioning totally normally, and she’s trapped inside her own body. But there is definitely more going on than she’s can let on.
She wants very much to talk, like she used to. (She talked so much.) Sometimes we can figure out what she means, sometimes we can’t, just like a little kid learning to talk, only in reverse. This is more difficult to watch than the physical difficulties.
Fr. Mike Schmitz in his homily today called attention to an apostolic letter written by Pope Saint John Paul II:
The witnesses of the New Covenant speak of the greatness of the Redemption, accomplished through the suffering of Christ. The Redeemer suffered in place of man and for man. Every man has his own share in the Redemption. Each one is also called to share in that suffering through which the Redemption was accomplished. He is called to share in that suffering through which all human suffering has also been redeemed. In bringing about the Redemption through suffering, Christ has also raised human suffering to the level of the Redemption. Thus each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ.
I think this can probably be a great comfort to people who are suffering themselves, that it’s not pointless, not for nothing. But it’s much harder to apply to your child’s (or any child’s) suffering.
If I tried to explain it to her, would she understand? If she did understand, would I know that she understood? Not long ago, the answer to both questions would be “yes.”
It’s probably selfish, but it would be a great comfort to me if she could tell me.
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!
If you have little kids, it’s a really good resource.