Jesus is waiting for you!
"My Lord and My God"
Photo by Simone Savoldi on Unsplash
Dear Catholic 365 Community!
Happy Feast Day of Saint Thomas the Apostle! Today is my birthday, and I want you to know that I have offered up my daily mass intention and Holy Communion for you and your loved ones! I have also prayed for the Universal Church, in particular for the intentions of Pope Francis, the “Vicar of Christ.” There seems to be great challenges surrounding his pontificate, so I would like to share a prayer of Saint John XXIII. On a visit to Rome many years ago I was able to venerate this wonderful saint at St. Peter’s Basilica in his crystal coffin.
I am sharing this prayer of Saint John XXIII, even though it was composed while he was still a Blessed. “O, Blessed Pope John, you demonstrated by your humble and devout life, your love of God, His Divine Son, Jesus Christ and his Church. You were inspired by the Holy Spirit to “open wide the doors of the Church” and initiate dialogue among all people of good will.
Please pray that we too may learn from your simple yet profound faith and saintly example. Pray that we may have the courage, as you did, to carry out the works of mercy. Let us look to your smiling countenance to remind us to greet everyone with kindness and compassion. Help us to live un unity with all people, no matter their belief, race or culture.
In this way we will experience the truth of your motto, “Obedience to God and peace in the heart.” Intercede for us as our earthly “Holy Father” to our Father in Heaven. We ask you this in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, AMEN.”
On this great feast day of Saint Thomas, the Apostle, I imagine that this saint would love that the faithful pray to not only to him, but also to the entire communion of saints! We know that St. John XXIII was the successor of the apostles just as Pope Francis is currently the successor of the apostles. Should we experience any doubts about difficult comments made by or about the current Holy Father we can be just like Saint Thomas, and respond “My Lord and My God.”
Saint Thomas, the Apostle, pray for us!
Prayer source for prayer of Pope John XXIII: PIME Missionaries
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About the Author
Kathleen Delia Miller resides in Indiana with her family near the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Originally from Chicago, Kathy enjoys life as a Hoosier!
Kathy loves spending time at the beach with family and friends, reading, cooking, drawing, gardening, visiting art galleries and farmer's markets. Kathy and family have been blessed to travel the world! Her most favorite pilgrimages were to Rome where she experienced a Papal Mass with Pope Benedict XVI, followed in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare in Assisi, visited the Holy House of Loreto also in Italy, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland.
" A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in the despondent soul."- Saint Therese of Lisieux
