Old interview with Frere/Oncle Michael

Fun. You can "hear" him. I googled him to see his latest paintings and this popped up.

Novena for Paul

One of Paul's feast days is in 9 days, on December 28, the feast of St. Francis de Sales. Would you join us in saying a novena between now and then?

The newest news is that Paul's apnea has worsened this weekend, after a week of improvement. Taken all together, a "realist" might well look at the evidence and say that Paul very likely has a systemic brain issue, causing problems with swallowing, breathing and perhaps speaking and seizures (he may have had one this weekend).

But I think I'm not alone in saying that as often as possible, I like to screw the "realists." Paul's a premie, who's been fighting one infection or another since birth. Even if an elephant does sleep in the crib next to Paul, we're not out of other potential culprits. And we're certainly not without God's grace.

I will be asking St. Francis for his intercessions, but leave it up to you to ask whomever you wish, and with whatever prayers you wish to say, to intercede on Paul's behalf. And to pray on all of our behalf that we accept God's will, whatever it is.

Incidentally, December 28 is also the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the day we found out Luca had spina bifida, and the day we found out Leo did not. May it be a day of grace this year as well. Love to you all.

Sickness is a great grace of God; it teaches us what we are; in it we recognize the patient, humble, and mortified man. When sickness weakens and mortifies the body, the soul is better disposed to raise herself up to God. - St. Paul of the Cross

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise,

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father who cares for

you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

-St. Francis de Sales

p.s. One of my favorite things about having kids is meeting new friends in their patron saints! xo

correction: St. Francis' Feast Day is January 24th - he died on Dec. 28th.

From Sunday's Readings

Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude, and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4: 6-7

Let's try it: All day long, as soon as you get anxious or worried or wonder "how will it be?", immediately ask God for what you want, what you think is best. Say thank you and thy will be done. Then, relish the peace, and the closer communion with God whom you've spoken to more than if you hadn't had anything to try you. (At least, that's how I've experienced it since Sunday.)

Prayers to St. Raphael and St. Luke

This is the prayer I said, and will be saying, for the blessing of Luca's tone normalizing post-surgery:


O St. Raphael, bearer of holy joy and messenger of peace, intercede for us before God's holy throne. You who are one of the seven before the throne of God. Be our model and inspiration in purity.
O God, you brought joy of spirit and health in ind and body into the lives of Tobit, Sarah and Tobiah by means of your holy angel, Raphael Grant we beg you, the grace we ask through St. Raphael's intercession. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be)


And that the doctor's hands might be guided by the intercession of lovely St. Luke, in this of all surgeries where so much is a game-time decision and there are so many ways to approach it:


Most charming and saintly physician, you were animated by the heavenly Spirit of Love. In faithfully detailing the humanity of Jesus, you also showed his divinity and his genuine compassion for all human beings. Inspire our physicians with your professionalism and with divine compassion for their patients. Enable them to cure the ills of both body and spirit that afflict so many in our day. Amen.

If you're feeling generous, you could also ask your guardian angel to intercede for Luca and be at his side during surgery and as he recovers.

Let's dare to hope!! xoxo