Excerpted from “Leaflets” column

       May is the traditional month of     Mary. We know well what a powerful advocate Our Blessed Mother is for us. When we petition her, she gladly presents our concerns before her Son. He in turn answers the requests from His loving Mother’s heart.

Let us take some moments each day this month to honor dear Mary. If a Rosary is not possible, some extra Hail Marys scattered throughout the day would be a particularly sweet remembrance of Our Blessed Mother. A Hail Mary added to your Grace Before Meals or as you begin and end each day would be appropriate.

If you have a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin, place some flowers by it each day. Some people have beautiful outdoor shrines to Mary. They give public witness to our love and esteem of Our Blessed Mother. When you see one, offer up a quick Hail Mary.

On Mother’s Day let us offer prayers to the Blessed Mother for our mothers and grandmothers, and perhaps for those women we know who exemplify the vocation of motherhood in a holy way. At the same time pray on that day for those who yearn to become mothers and who cannot. Ask that the Lord will comfort them and fulfill their lives in other ways.

In honor of Mary consider learning a new prayer to her. There are so many exquisite prayers that have been penned throughout the ages. It is possible that one could pray a different prayer for each day of the month of May and still have countless left to learn. Check your prayer books and even the Internet. You just might find a new favorite.

The month of June is set apart for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart shows God’s love for us in a human and profound way. In 1899 Pope Leo XIII consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This year the actual feast day is on June 11, even though we dedicate the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart.

Just as we spend May remembering our dear Blessed Mother, let us take time in June honoring the Sacred Heart. Our prayers and devotions should be offered on a daily basis through the month. Let us pray as St. Margaret Mary Alacoque prayed: “O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness.”

This is still some time left in the Year of the Priest. During this year we Mariannhill priests are endeavoring to fulfill our priestly ministry with ever greater fervor. We beg of you, dear LEAVES family, to please pray for us – for those confreres who have gone before us, for those serving in dangerous mission fields and for all of us at Mariannhill as we strive to live out our vocation in the greatest possible service to Our Lord.

When you celebrate Holy Eucharist, perhaps you might add the Mariannhill priests to your Mass intentions. We would be eternally grateful for such a magnificent gift. Please also remember all the living and deceased priests who have been a part of your life: those who baptized you, absolved your sins, gave you First Holy Communion, celebrated the marriages in your family, anointed your sick and buried your loved ones. Be assured that we at Mariannhill hold you all in our prayers always. May God grant you abundant blessings - Father Thomas Heier, C.M.M.

Excerpted from “Our Family Album”

Mother Cabrini

Helps Grandson

Thanks to St. Francis Xavier Cabrini for her intercession and for the many miracles received during the past 13 years in the life of my 18-year-old grandson Mike who suffers with Asperger’s Syndrome. While visiting Mother Cabrini’s shrine near Golden, CO, in 1991, our family became acquainted with this Italian immigrant nun, who came to America to teach unschooled Indian and Spanish children. Her life story is depicted in the stained-glass windows of the chapel there.

At that time my 50-pound grandson had been suspended from public school because of threats to his teacher and for disruptive behavior. Mike was allowed to attend school for two hours in the middle of the day. At nine years of age, he was a throw-away child.

While his mother desperately sought help, our worried family decided to ask Mother Cabrini for her intercession.

That year Mike’s problem was diagnosed as Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism. He was taught at home until my daughter found the Forbush School in Towson, MD. Finally Mike was admitted and his mother drove the 150-mile round-trip daily so he could attend. There Mike was taught how to relate to people. The family was counseled as a group and separately. The correct medications were prescribed.

A Forbush teacher referred to her students as “children of grace,” which helped her through difficult moments.

After four years of exceptional effort, Mike entered his neighborhood high school. There, besides the regular curriculum, Mike studied music and writing courses. Now having graduated with a Certificate of Merit, Mike has entered an out-of-state university, where with Mother Cabrini’s help he continues to struggle with the practical side of life. With praise and gratitude - M.M.

St. Therese Heals

Friend from Cancer

A very close friend was diagnosed with brain cancer and her outlook was grim. She was not expected to live and the doctors told her that at the least she would probably have brain damage and would never be the same.

Urgently the focus of my life was to pray for my very young friend. I began praying to St. Jude, but then a friend sent me a novena to St. Therese. I prayed to St. Therese and my friend had a miracle.

Today my friend is 15 years old, cured of cancer and an honor student. She is still beautiful and an inspiration in every way. Thank you, St. Therese and God - Name Withheld.

A Note to Aria

In LEAVES (Sep-Oct 2005) I read a letter from JoAnn Kopck regarding her unborn niece, little Aria Paduano. Early in the pregnancy the baby was diagnosed with many problems, including Downs’ Syndrome, and doctors advised the possibility of abortion.

In spite of mental and financial agony and health issues of her own, her brave and dear mother refused doctors’ warnings and brought Aria to birth. Since I first read about this godly family, I have been remembering them in daily prayer.

In recent years health problems of my own have left me anxious and depleted. Twice, however, when I was at a couple of my lowest points, I opened my mail to find a visit from Aria! The LEAVES (Jul-Aug 2006) presented a photo of this bright-eyed, beautiful child in her baptismal dress and it warmed my heart to see her! Then in spring of 2009, after several hospitalizations, here comes LEAVES (May-Jun 2009) and there she was again, holding her Rosary! My own little angel of inspiration.

I’m sure I am not the only reader of LEAVES receiving hope and strength through updates on our little saint. God bless her dear parents for bringing her into this world and for the loving aunt for bringing her to our attention! Just know you have influenced many of us and will continue to be in our prayers all the days to come - J.E.

Excerpted from Father Engelmar Testimonies

There is now available a novena to Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce, currently 44 cents), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.

Venerable

Father Engelmar

In July of 2009 Pope Benedict promulgated a decree recognizing the heroic virtues of four Servants of God, and among them was our Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig. It means that now he has merited the title “Venerable” and deserves to be venerated with it.

The next title he may earn is Blessed, but to attain this, there must be an authentic miracle from God obtained through Fr. Engelmar’s intercession. Two apparent miracles have already been reported and submitted to the Holy See, and it will decide if one of them is truly authentic.

Once he is Blessed, he may earn the highest title of all: Saint. To attain this, there must be a second authentic miracle. Continue to pray to God that, if it is His will, Fr. Engelmar may eventually be declared a saint.

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Nine days before my surgery date I started for the first time the novena for the intercession of Fr. Engelmar for a safe and successful knee replacement surgery. I feel my prayers were answered and six weeks later the brace and walker are done with and I am walking with a cane - R.B.

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I am convinced that Fr. Engelmar has helped my son, but he doesn’t attend church on a regular basis yet. I will keep praying. God bless all of you — C.F.

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I’m sending you this donation in thanksgiving for prayers answered. I’ve prayed the novena to Fr. Engelmar and prayed to other saints that my parents’ house that has been on the market for 2½ years would sell. It finally sold to a nice young couple. Many thanks for all prayers answered - C.B.

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The enclosed donation is in thanksgiving to Fr. Engelmar for a safe car trip of over 3,000 miles to visit our son and a safe return. Please pray that he will return to the Church and the sacraments, for his steady employment and for our own health - Mrs. M.J.V.

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My donation is in honor of Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig for answers to my novena to him regarding a very special request. I have been friends with a young policeman who has mental problems and he turned against me after 17 years of friendship. I am 80 years old and his only friend. Pray that he will make up - Mrs. M.B.