I humbly ask your prayers for my brother. Health complications from a life of drinking and smoking are taking their toll on his body, yet it is the health of his soul that concerns me the most. He long ago left the Church because of the "hypocrites" and is now far from God. I have visited him more times in the last year than in many previous ones and we've actually shared a couple of serious conversations. Tomorrow I'm mailing him a letter, encouraging him to return to Jesus and the sacraments. As I told him, I could care less if God uses me as a vehicle in his conversion. I do know that the prayers of our saintly mother, Christine, availeth much. But I do ask you to earnestly pray that his heart be soften and that he realize the unsurpassing love the Two Hearts have for him. May God be glorified in the short time that remains for Tim. Thank you! Safe in the Father's Arms!
I have an icon of Our lady here tonight that goes house to house .Tonight I have her and I asked her to save Tim's soul.I will continue to keep him in my prayers.
I too will pray for Tim. However, if leaving the Church was because of hypocrites we would all be gone. People leave the Church will use many excuses, but the bottom line is they have exchanged the Truth of God for a lie and have freely chosen to worship the creature rather than the Creator. I pray that he comes home to the Creator in spite of the hypocrites.
Mario my heart goes out to you! Mostly from personal experience I know exactly what you are going through. I can assure you if you will put this completely in Gods hands he will be okay. And I don't mean in this life just in the next. Of course your brother may have to spend an eternity in purgatory but that's better than the alternative! Just continue to pray and offer sacrifices for his salvation. We'll never know until we die how many family members were saved due to prayers from loved ones. God Bless!
You have my sympathy and prayers. I have two siblings in the exact same place, dying of the same diseases.
Praying for your brother tonight, Mario. That Mary find an opening in his heart where Jesus can re-enter.
Praying for your brother, Tim, Terry. I prayed so much down the years for my own six brothers..and for my three sisters too (I might add). There was a time I thought I was just knocking at a bunch of locked doors but as time has passed I realised that nothing, indeed, is impossible to God and that Faith , implanted in young hearts by good parents, never truly dies no matter how bad things may seem. There is a lovely altar at the monastery to St Jospeh, Patron of a happy death and above it in gold are the words, 'Ad te Jospeh' which I believe means , 'Go to Joseph'. So I will I will keep going to St Jospeh for Tim all this week. These are terrible times to keep the faith in, I hope and trust God will make allowances for all of us. AD te beate Ioseph, in tribulatione nostra confugimus, atque, implorato Sponsae tuae sanctissimae auxilio, patrocinium quoque tuum fidenter exposcimus. Per eam, quaesumus quae te cum immaculata Virgine Dei Genetrice coniunxit, caritatem, perque paternum, quo Puerum Iesum amplexus es, amorem, supplices deprecamur, ut ad hereditatem, quam Iesus Christus acquisivit Sanguine suo, benignus respicias, ac necessitatibus nostris tua virtute et ope succurras. TO thee, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. Through that charity which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which thou embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with thy power and strength to aid us in our necessities. Don't worry wait and see , things will be fine.
Hypocrites do the greatest damage to a Church. It was the biggest problem Christ had when He walked on earth (they killed him). And it is no less the greatest problem that He has today. We are blind if we think that they do no damage. I know many that have been chased away before they even had the chance to blossom in their faith. My faith today is one of the biggest miracles in my life. But I know this Mario, God wants your brother in Heaven even more than you do. God will find a way, and will never give up on your brother. We just all need to pray that your brother will have the courage to accept God's offer, and even if we don't see it in this life, to allow your brother to be able to respond to the Mercy that God offers him even as his soul is still in the process of leaving the body, when he can clearly see things in truth. Hang in there Mario. God won't allow him to be lost on account of you. Of that I am sure. My prayers as with you also. Mother Mary, please wrap your heavenly mantle around Tim covering him in all the graces that he needs for a true conversion. I shall offer up a rosary for him.
Mario I hope these prayers will be helpful For those who have lost the faith Loving Father, you sent St. Anthony to call back those who had fallen away from the faith.Continue to reach out to those of our loved ones who no longer believe. Guide me in living the Godpel so that I may not be a stumbling block to those who are searching for your light. Teach me patience and the way to show your love again to those who no longer recognise it Amen Prayer for the wanderer Lord Jesus, merciful Saviour of the world, we beg and beseech you through your most Sacred Heart that all wandering sheep may now return to you,the Shepherd of their souls. We ask this through you,the same Lord Jesus who lives with the father and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
I will pray too for your brother Mario. The Blessed Virgin will surely help. Mother of us all, she will answer quickly I am sure. Also of course, as Jayne says, St. Anthony never seems to fail. I know so many people in the same place as Tim. I often think that they want to return to God, but sometimes do not seem to know how to get back.
Your situation is very much like my own brother who is 44 years old. He too was in a bad place when his wife left him for someone else. He was drinking, smoking, barely eating. He hadn't money to pay the rent or electric until it was switched off, and was far from God. He lost all the feeling in his legs and he ended up in hospital. We eventually got him into rehab that is run by Sr. Consilio, where they are helped through prayer (esp The Rosary) and therapy. it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He is now happier than he has ever been in a long time. This year he completed the Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and has attended Holy Mass. I know what you are going through and I will certainly add your intentions to my daily prayers. Please God your brother will get well!
I have 2 hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament tonight. All we need is the smallest of cracks to open to the Light. You and your brother will be with me tonight.
Thank you all for your heartfelt prayers. There is truly power in numbers! Mary's Child said: But I know this Mario, God wants your brother in Heaven even more than you do. God will find a way, and will never give up on your brother. and,...God won't allow him to be lost on account of you. Of that I am sure. Mary's Child, I put no pressure on myself. In my effort to lovingly reach out to my brother, I sometimes get the feeling that he thinks I'm trying to rack up trophy points with God! I will stay the course to the end. With Mary, my mom, Joseph, and all the other saints and angels joining in, it will prove to be a marvelous and peaceful finale! In the end my brother will confess his faith and trust in Jesus: Psalm 73: Whom else have I in the heavens, and none beside You delights me upon the earth. Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, and my portion forever!
I am praying for Tim and I always tell Our Lord and Our Lady I want to include all forum requests also. Thank you God for this forum.
