Update on Baby Caroline

Sorry for not keeping you up to date on baby Caroline's situation, but your prayers have definitely helped! Last week Caroline and her mom under went what is called fetal intervention (basically unborn baby heart surgery). Obviously it was a pretty nerve-wracking experience, but it went well, and miss Caroline's chances of developing further heart problems have been lessened! Thank you so much for your prayers, and please continue to pray for a safe delivery for her!

St. Gerard Novena: Days Five and Six

Apologies for not posting the novena yesterday; My family is currently on vacation, and we spent most of yesterday in the car, but I hope that you all took the time to say any kind of prayer for the Rome Baby.

Almighty and Eternal God,

we thank You for the gift of St. Gerard

and the example of his life. 

Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in You,

You blessed him with great powers of help and healing.

Through him, You showed your loving concern

for all those who suffered or were in need.

You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf.

Today, through Saint Gerard's powerful intercession,

You continue to show you love

for all those who place their trust in You.

And so, Father, full of faith and confidence,

and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things

You have done for us,

we place ourselves before You today.

Through the intercession of St. Gerard,

hear our prayers and petitions,

and if it is your Holy Will,

Please grant them in the name of Jesus, Our Lord.

Amen

Day Five: Saint Gerard, model of holy obedience, throughout your life you heroically submitted your judgement to those who represented Jesus Christ to you, thereby sanctifying your lowliest actions.

Please obtain for me from God cheerful submission to His Holy Will and the virtue of perfect obedience, that I may be conformable to Jesus, my Model, who was obedient even to death. Pray nine Hail Marys.

Day Six: Saint Gerard, most perfect imitator of Jesus Our Redeemer, your greatest glory was to be humble and lowly.

Please obtain that I too, knowing my littleness in God's sight, may be found worthy to enter the kingdom that is promised to the humble and lowly of heart. Pray nine Hail Marys. 

St. Gerard Novena: Day Two

Almighty and Eternal God,

we thank You for the gift of St. Gerard

and the example of his life. 

Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in You,

You blessed him with great powers of help and healing.

Through him, You showed your loving concern

for all those who suffered or were in need.

You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf.

Today, through Saint Gerard's powerful intercession,

You continue to show you love

for all those who place their trust in You.

And so, Father, full of faith and confidence,

and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things

You have done for us,

we place ourselves before You today.

Through the intercession of St. Gerard,

hear our prayers and petitions,

and if it is your Holy Will,

Please grant them in the name of Jesus, Our Lord.

Amen

Day Two: Saint Gerard, most generous saint, who from  your earliest years did care so little for the goods of earth, grant that I may place all my confidence in Jesus Christ alone, my true Treasure, who alone can make me happy in time and eternity. Pray nine Hail Marys. 

Bad News and Big prayers

On our last night in Rome, we did class superlatives: Who was the biggest pope groupie, who was most likely to forget essential clothing on trip, etc. But at the end, Ryan, our head of student life, said that he wanted to add his own superlative to the list. Then with a big grin on his face, he said, "Most likely to be pregnant goes to my wife, Ellen!" The whole room erupted with cheers. Our entire class could not have been more thrilled, and, in a way, we felt that this was "Our Rome Baby" in the same way that we felt the faculty and staff were our second family. We all adored Ellen, and Ryan was okay too, so the prospect of a Rome baby was absolutely happiest thing ever.

Unfortunately, we learned today that our Rome baby has a serious heart defect that seriously limits her (Yes, it's a girl!) chances for survival. It's possible that she will not even make to to term. Of course, our whole class is very sad, but I know her parents are devastated because she is their first child. So, my dear readers, I'm asking for your prayers. My class is not called the "Crusher Class" for nothing, we will do our best to crush the gates of Heaven, but we also need your help. For the next nine days, I will be posting a novena to St. Gerard, the patron of expectant mothers and my patron. But please feel free to start your own novenas, in particular, her parents have asked for prayers to Blessed Pope John Paul II, who will be canonized in October, when the baby is due. Thank you in advance for all your prayers!

Almighty and Eternal God,

we thank You for the gift of St. Gerard

and the example of his life. 

Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in You,

You blessed him with great powers of help and healing.

Through him, You showed your loving concern

for all those who suffered or were in need.

You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf.

Today, through Saint Gerard's powerful intercession,

You continue to show you love

for all those who place their trust in You.

And so, Father, full of faith and confidence,

and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things

You have done for us,

we place ourselves before You today.

Through the intercession of St. Gerard,

hear our prayers and petitions,

and if it is your Holy Will,

Please grant them in the name of Jesus, Our Lord.

Amen

First Day

St. Gerard, ever full of faith, obtain for me that, believing firmly all that the Church of God proposes to my belief, I may strive to secure through a holy life, the joys of eternal happiness. Pray nine Hail Marys. 

I got some very sad news today, one of my dad's former students has gone missing. His car was found on a bridge over the Mississippi River yesterday, but he has not been located. The news reports make no conjecture as to the whereabouts of this man, but the mind immediately jumps to one conclusion. No one understands why he would do such a thing, supposing the worst, that is. His friends has all received emails and messages from him wanting to make plans for the coming week. Everyone is thinking, "He's just not that sort of person." We'd all like to hear that he decided to do something very odd, but is safe and sound, doing something utterly bizarre, probably dressed to the nines like he always is. But now we're just waiting, hoping and praying our fears are irrational.

Any prayers for Philip and his family would be greatly appreciated.