Excerpted from “Leaflets” column

 

 

 

    November is a time the Catholic Church specifically remembers our departed family and friends. This is not just a one-day affair on the feast of the Holy Souls on Nov. 2. Actually it is not even just a month-long devotion. We should regularly remember the dead throughout the entire year, but November is an excellent time to begin to make this a habit.

What a distinct blessing to know that we are able to assist with our prayers those who have gone before us. Death does not break the bonds of our love, nor does it take away our connection with our dearly departed, and it is an act of charity to remember the holy souls.

Some are tempted to place loved ones immediately within the safety of heaven upon their passing. It is true that there are those who have been saints on earth, those celebrated and known by the church and others who are unknown. There are also those who have endured great suffering on earth, their own particular kind of purgatory. We do not know fully the hearts of others, therefore we cannot judge them.

While we are still on our earthly pilgrimage, we should make known our wishes to have prayers and Masses said for our benefit upon our death. How much better to have prayers said and not need them than for the reverse to be the case.

If you have loved ones who are gone who have not been able to express their wishes, pray for them anyway. No harm has ever come from prayerful remembrances, and considerable graces can be gained for both the person remembered and the person who is praying.

As she lay dying, St. Monica told her son St. Augustine: “Lay this body anywhere, only this I beg of you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord.” This dear mother certainly knew the power of prayer. After many years of her praying for her wayward son, he came back to the Church and is now remembered as one of its greatest saints.

So don’t neglect to remember your departed family and friends. And during this Year of the Priest it would be a great kindness to remember in prayer those priests you have known throughout your lives who have gone to their rest. (Of course a spare prayer or two for those of us who still remain would also be most appreciated!)

 

  

    Christmas is not a day - it is a season! It doesn’t begin the day after Thanksgiving, or even some time in October in some places. The Christmas Season actually begins with evening prayer on Christmas and lasts through the Feast of Epiphany on Jan. 6. Some include the days up to the following Sunday, which is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

These days of the Christmas Season are rich days of celebration for the Church. Within this time we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and Epiphany. We also remember St. Stephen, the Holy Innocents and St. Thomas Becket (all martyrs for the Faith).

Instead of spending your time at the mall, spend some extra time in prayer. On the Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s, the Feast of the Holy Family, pray especially that Jesus, Mary and Joseph will be with your family and guide them and heal any relationships that might be strained. In fact, reach out to family members you haven’t seen for awhile. Pray for them. Invite them over for Christmas cookies. Go to Mass as a family on the Feast of the Holy Family.

On New Year’s Day we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God. Mary holds a unique place in the heart of the Church. As we pay tribute to her, let us ask that she petition her Son to bless us and our loved ones. It would be very appropriate to offer a family rosary in thanksgiving to her for all her love and assistance throughout the year.

In some cultures gifts are exchanged on Epiphany, not on Christmas. Perhaps some small religious article might be given to family and friends on this day in recognition of the Lord’s guidance in our lives. Let us pray then that the light of Christ will lead the way for us in this new year.

Stephen, the Holy Innocents, Thomas and countless others throughout the centuries have made the ultimate sacrifice for the faith. When some of us may complain that it’s too warm or too cold or too wet or too far to go to church or we’re too tired or too busy, maybe we should think of the martyrs. Our excuses seem rather flimsy in comparison. The Christmas Season would be a great time to recommit to the faithful attendance of Sunday Mass and even daily Mass whenever possible.

 

…. May God grant you abundant blessings on Christmas and throughout the new year - Father Thomas Heier, C.M.M.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpted from “Our Family Album”

 

 

The Prayers of the Little

Ones Are Heard

 

My daughter and I love to read LEAVES, and it always inspires us and reminds us that we are a part of a big family - God’s family.

When my daughter was eight years old, we went to an expensive amusement park and she was so excited to go finally. When we arrived in the parking lot, my husband thought I had brought the money and I thought he had brought it and neither of us had done so.

We were trying so hard to not use credit cards in order to get out of debt. Unbeknownst to us, our little daughter started to pray non-stop. We got in line and reluctantly decided to use our credit card when a person approached us with one ticket he was willing to sell for $10.00. We promptly did so.

We were a family of three in a long huge line of people and could not figure out why he chose to approach only us. Then about two minutes later a man approached us with two more free tickets which his company had provided to him for free and which he could not use.

The three of us got into the amusement park that would have cost us well over $200.00 for only $10.00. I said to my husband, “This is a miracle. This is most unusual.” He agreed, then I looked at our little daughter, who admitted upon questioning that she had been praying for a miracle.

Isn’t God ever so sweet in hearing the little ones? Praise His Holy Name forever! - Name Withheld.

 

 

 

 

Frightening Disorder

Is Helped

I am writing in thanksgiving for answered prayers. Last April I suddenly became ill with pancreatitis. Doctors were unable to find out why I had gotten pancreatitis. Two months later I had another bout of it, which now made the doctors suspicious.

After months of testing, the problem was found. I was born (I am now 60 years old) with pancreas divisum (the ducts of the pancreas did not fuse as they are supposed to). This was causing the attacks.

I was sent out of state to have a procedure done which opened the duct much wider. As all this was going on, I was praying to the Blessed Mother, Ss. Theresa the Little Flower, Padre Pio, and Joseph, to my grandparents, and to aunts and uncles who have passed away to help me, for healing and for the right doctors’ care.

I will always have pancreas divisum, but now the ducts are open so that the secretions can flow and not back up. It was a very scary time for me, having a disorder that not many people have and not being able to talk to anyone who has gone through it. I was feeling very alone and frightened.

Many people prayed for me as well as many saints. I thank them all with an offering. Mariannhill’s good works are greatly appreciated and have given hope to many people - Mrs. P.DeV.

 

 

 

Many Favors Received

 

The enclosed check is sent in thanksgiving for very special favors granted by the Divine Mercy. Several months ago my oldest son was hit with a double whammy — he lost his job and was diagnosed with prostate cancer that needed surgery. I began a novena to the Divine Mercy and promised to donate to Mariannhill if my son came through the surgery without any difficulties. He came through with flying colors and has been declared cancer-free. He also is back to work.

All of our family will be forever grateful to Our Lord for hearing and answering our prayers. My thanks must also go to the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Mother, Ss. Joseph, Jude, Anthony, Mary Claret, Rita, Therese and Anthony of Padua, Fr. Engelmar and the Holy Souls.

A second special favor was granted through the intercession of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Ss. Anne and Gerard. Our daughter gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl after some difficulty in getting pregnant. Such joy is beyond description.

Five years ago I was involved in an auto accident in which my right leg was crushed. Doctors were optimistic my leg could be saved. However, complications in abundance gave them pause. After three months in the hospital and nine surgeries, a medal plate and seven screws were put in my leg. I have survived, my leg is intact and I am doing just fine, thanks to the many prayers of family, friends and total strangers. God heard them all and gave His blessing.

There is a need for more prayers. Two other sons have been out of work for over a year. Their financial situation is looking bleak; ours isn’t great either. However, I am confident, if we continue to pray with trust, God will aswer our needs - B.L.

 

 

 

Many Blessings

 

My aunt, Sister Agnes Petrill, Sisters of Christian Charity, age 91, has been telling me for years that I need to write a book about all the many blessings my family and I have received from heaven. I told her I would. The best I can do now is to write this for LEAVES before her 92nd birthday in November.

My dad was in the hospital and wouldn’t talk to my mother or brother for putting him there. I went to visit along with my son and uncle. My dad looked at me and smiled, recognized me and called me by name. Then he said three separate times: “Cathy, what’s wrong? Cathy, what’s the matter?” I just smiled and said, “Oh, nothing. It’ll be okay.” First, my Uncle Jim had just passed away and been buried, and second, I found out my wonderful husband had lung cancer, and third, my dad was going to be moved into a nursing home on Friday. My dad lost his hearing at a young age and had only partial hearing in the other ear. He would never survive leaving my mother and going into a place where he would not know anyone or hear what they would be saying.

I prayed a novena to St. Theresa, my dad’s and my favorite female saint. At 3:33 a.m. the night before my dad was to be moved to a nursing home, I woke up to a very strong fragrant rose smell. I thought I was dreaming. I got up and walked into two separate rooms. For 30 minutes the wonderful smell surrounded our bedroom. I know St. Theresa heard my prayer and was telling me to be ready for God’s answer that was coming. The next day at 6:03 p.m. my father passed away. My brother had been there with him 30 minutes earlier. On Christmas morning a hibiscus plant I gave to my dad months earlier in April had one beautiful bloom on it. It was a sign from my dad that he was in heaven.

The following Christmas I looked to the plant for another bloom. I knew it was important because this plant needs “Florida,” and we live in northern Kentucky and the plant comes inside in October. It didn’t bloom Dec. 25th, but it did bloom on Dec. 28, St. Peregrine’s feast day. At this time my husband had three lung tumors. He had been given 9-12 months to live the month my dad passed away. This is so important because St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer patients.

My husband had colon cancer six years earlier - again a miracle, no bag to wear. All cancer was gone, surgically removed. Now I believed the flower from my dad’s plant on St. Peregrine’s feast was a sign my husband’s cancer would go away. It did! All three tumors are gone. Of course, he had to go through chemo and radiation sessions twice.

Teachers at school couldn’t understand why I was excited that the tumors were gone, but the cancer had metastasized to his sternum and possibly his knee. Cancer three times, and twice it goes away! My husband now has bone cancer and again he is going through chemo and radiation. After the last visit the doctor said apparently his knee pain was from arthritis and they would redo the radiation and chemo on his sternum and on another tumor they found on his hip.

I was happy with the news because my son, the youngest of three boys, came home from work sad because he thought he had sat on a rose, boutonniere size, lying on the driver’s seat. My husband had gotten the rose for me and accidentally left it in the car. Keefe sat on it after leaving work that night. It was dark and he didn’t see the flower. The truck was locked and all windows rolled up. Ed and I both cried tears of joy. St. Theresa was telling us this third cancer would also go away in God’s time. Keefe took a picture on my husband’s cell phone of me in my robe and Ed in his and his soft head beaming with joy as we held the rose. This picture remains on his cell phone. That’s what you see when you open the phone.

Many, many thanks for prayers answered - Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Light, Ss. Theresa, Jude, Anthony, Peregrine, Joseph, Nicholas and Philomena - Catherine O’Brien.

 

 

Excerpted from Father Engelmar Testimonies

 

There is now available a booklet of the life of 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.

 

 

 

 

I received a favor this week from Fr. Engelmar. I somehow got involved in a real estate program that was on television, against my husband’s approval. The program cost nearly $7,000 and I was unable to do it because of ill health and also unable to pay for it. I prayed to Fr. Engelmar and after several months it was resolved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - R.S.

+ + +

Through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar I have received financial help for holding on to my home. I make a small donation in gratitude - Mrs. V.S.

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My donation is in thanksgiving to Fr. Engelmar for getting prayers answered. Thank you - Mrs. U.K.

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Please accept my check as a thanksgiving for prayers answered. Not long ago my primary physician referred me to a urologist because of high recorded PSA numbers. As one might expect, my imagination took off with fear of cancer.

I decided to place my fate in God’s hands and began daily prayers from the leaflet of Fr. Engelmar’s life. My anxiety was running high. I had never before turned to his intercession. After several days of prayer, I literally felt a calm and peace cover my shoulders like a mantle. Never have I experienced this kind of peace in my prayer life.

My biopsy test results came back today and I am free of cancer! So this donation is in thanksgiving to God Almighty’s answer to my prayers in the affirmative and in honor of Fr. Engelmar’s intercession. My daily prayers are with Mariannhill and the LEAVES family - W.J.

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My car went into the car dealership on Monday at 8. I was reading the LEAVES magazine and I saw all the favors received from Fr. Engelmar. I thought it was 1:30 and I said a little prayer that I would hear something by 2, in one-half hour. At 2:00 my prayer was answered! He really works fast - Mrs. M.O’C.

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Many thanks to Fr. Engelmar for answering prayers for selling our condo in Wisconsin during a very “snowy” time there, for improvement in our eyes and in my husband’s depressed personality and for cure of cancer on my left hand - Name Withheld.

 

 

 

 

Blessed Bethlehem

 

Oh, what a price the Infant will give

To ransom us from sin.

He will reach manhood doing good

And be our Rock that we might live.

 

 

The price He will pay

Will be death on a tree,

And the manger made of wood

Foretells the tortuous death it will be.

 

 

And now He quietly lies

As Mary and Joseph look on.

Do they know the future of their child

So mighty, gentle, meek and mild?

 

 

They begin to sing with the angels:

Peace, good will to men.

And the Infant smiles so lovingly,

Wanting only joy, peace and love. Amen.

     By Sr. Marcella LaKoske, OP

 

 

 

 

 

If We Were Shepherds

 

If we were shepherds of Bethlehem’s flock, / Would we not stand at the angels’ glad chant? / Would we not shout, filled with wonder: / Why do we tarry, why do we wander? / Surely that’s God’s little Son just over yonder?”

 

 

So we might think of so many a one, / Looking and praying, waiting and saying: / Can I be there when You come? / Can I hold Your little hand? / May I kneel before You, little King? / May I sing and dance just for You, / My God made little? / Why, oh why, so little, hidden and poor? / Are You not God’s own, His princely son?

 

 

“Because, my littlest dearest one, / I mustn’t ever frighten you. / Wouldn’t you up away and run? / I AM / The tiniest mustard seed of faith, / The littlest true Son of Love, / The merest, the Spirit’s gentlest One. / I AM / The long awaited One.”

     By Richard Quenneville

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novena to

Abbot Francis Pfanner

 

The Cause has begun for the beatification of Abbot Francis Pfanner, the founder of the Mariannhill Missionaries. A novena in his honor is available. To receive a free copy, please send us a stamped, ($0.61 for 2 oz.), self-addressed, large (no. 10) envelope to: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087 - The Editors.