Bonaventure, I read this book recently. It's an amazing story and would be an easy read for an atheist as it's fairly short and written in a very straight forward way with little to no theology--just stating the facts of what happened to this man: http://www.amazon.com/90-Minutes-Heaven-Story-Death/dp/0800759494
I think most of us are in a similar situation as to being one of if not the only ones in our family that are "on fire" for the Lord. I truly feel and believe that there is a reason for this. I believe in the last 10 years at least if not longer, that heaven is looking all over the Earth and trying to find those "ones" for every family that will be the person to pray and be devout and to love and to help that family come back to God. I don't know this to be true but I did hear something similar to this in Marino Restreppo's conversion story where Jesus told him that he will place a light in every family and it will be that person who will save the family. If this is true, again which I believe it is true, then don't fret, just trust and pray. It is through your trust and prayer that will save your lost family members.
Bonaventure, so many of us are the same boat, praying for our sons and family members to come back. As others have said, I believe some of us have been placed as pray-ers for our family. Once in praying,well pleading for my sons and husband, the Good Lord told me, All who are being prayed for in this time of grace, this time of mercy, will be converted. As Mario said above, I think our prayers are fertilizer for the soil, but that it may be others who bring them back to a conversion of their hearts. So all is surrendered to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I have been praying to St. Raphael to lead good catholic christian people into our lives to show us the way. Prayer to St. Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings O Raphael, lead us towards those we are waiting for, those who are waiting for us! Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings, lead us by the hand towards those we are looking for! May all our movements, all their movements, be guided by your Light and transfigured by your Joy. Angel Guide of Tobias, lay the request we now address to you at the feet of Him on whose unveiled Face you are privileged to gaze. Lonely and tired, crushed by the separations and sorrows of earth, we feel the need of calling to you and of pleading for the protection of your wings, so that we may not be as strangers in the Province of Joy, all ignorant of the concerns of our country. Remember the weak, you who are strong--you whose home lies beyond the region of thunder, in a land that is always peaceful, always serene, and bright with the resplendent glory of God. Amen. View attachment 2655
A number of years ago I was really frustrated in what the Lord wanted me to do with my life and I was out walking at night and praying about this. I heard, not with my ears, a word so powerful that it stopped me in my tracks. The Lord said my primary duty in life is to pray for my family. I stopped and one of the few times in my life I asked for a sign, I ask to see a falling star. No sooner had the words left my lips that the largest meteorite I have ever seen went straight down the road that I was walking on. Yes I know the meteorite was in the sky☺️ Anyway after that I feel that the primary duty of each and every Christian is to pray for their family and friends around them.
I agree that our mission is to pray for our families, but not only our families. I was moved by one of Maria Simma's stories, about the soul that came back to tell her he was saved by her simple prayer while on a train. I can't remember the details, but I think the person was behaving badly and Maria said a simple prayer asking the Lord to save his soul. And he was saved. It sure is painful living life as a true Christian in these times, and most of the time I feel like ET on this planet waiting for the mother ship to come take me home! But then I think about how hard it's going to be for those who wake up very late. Salvation is obviously critical, but it's going to be excruciating to realize that a lifetime has been wasted and instead of winning salvation, people could have won Sainthood!
and most of the time I feel like ET on this planet waiting for the mother ship to come take me home! that made me giggle but it's soooooooooo true.
This crack me up. I just recently had to take a psychological test and one of the questions they asked if I feel like I would be better off dead. as a Christian I felt like saying oh yeah but that's not what they want to hear.
Salt and yeast - neither of them chemically alter what surrounds them but both significantly change the palatability of it. Often i crave to see changes in other people but i should be satisfied to increase in my personal holiness so that others may be more palatable for God. wow our kind Father gives us sooooo many options!
Awesome!!! And I agree 100%. About a year ago I became and still am a heavy praying person for the souls in Purgatory, especially the ones who have no one praying for them. I know I told this story before but I want to share it again. I was saying my prayers one night before going to bed fully awake but my eyes closed. All of a sudden a woman of Spanish or Latin American decent was standing next to me. I could see her plainly with my eyes closed and yet I could see my whole bedroom with her standing there. She simply asked me one question, "Will you pray for me" I said, "of course" and she was gone. I immediately prayed for her. I have no idea who this was and something like this has not happened again, but that did happen, or I am going crazy and you all should have me committed ha ha.
Sorry to hear that but he is blessed! at least he has someone to pray for him. No prayer is lost in heaven, so one day he will have the opportunity to see the benefit of your prayers. Maybe you can send these two videos to your son, it might help!
What to do...my spiritual director says there is a symphony of evil that is working together. The "created one" is the conductor waving his arms to the music. Everyone from the government, clergy, teachers, intellectuals, entertainers and media are trying to destroy Christian values in the name of freedom. It's a down word spiral that is out of control. He says many are willing participants but some are just caught in the wave of humanism. The sad part is ...what is the goal. True "do as thy will" will only lead to destruction of society. All our children are caught in this wave of evil. It's time for us ordinary saints to understand, we are the front lines of the war. We must clean the inside to start counter-acting the world. Maybe padraig is gathering a special forces unit to battle against evil. So what can be done...prayer and fasting. From our example ...we can change the world. I will pray for our families conversion. May Gods Will be Done
I just came across this for parents whose children have strayed from the faith. EWTN Concerned about an adult son or daughter who has fallen away from the Faith? In a recent homily, #EWTN's Father Miguel said he advises parents to keep praying the baptismal prayers you said for your child when they were first born. Father says the idea isn't original with him -- he thinks it may be #SisterBriegeMcKenna's -- but parents have told him they have had great success when following this advice. Here is the prayer: Lord Jesus, on behalf of my son / daughter, N., I renew his / her baptismal promises which took place on the day of his / her baptism; please bring him / her back to the Sacraments for your glory. I renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his empty show. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, You have given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us, especially my son / daughter, N., by your grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life.
I'm saying prayers for your son. I'm sure there is a greater purpose in him being left out in the cold from God for now, surely the return will be amazing.
The soul you prayed for is your special Advocate! Ever read the booklet (Read me or Rue it.... i think thats the name ) its about the benefits of praying for souls in Purgatory. Your vision reminded me of one story in the book . she got to meet the mom of the soul who appeared to her asking for a Mass to be said. In January I had a novena of MASS' said for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, by the Seraphic Mass association. Like you I have a strong call to pray for them! You may know this but last winter I was in Philadelphia @ the National Shrine of St Rita of Casia. In the lower level they have first class relics of Augustinian Saints .One named St Nicholis of Tolentino Patron Saint of the Souls in Purgatory! I never knew of such a Saint for the Holy souls,so I ask his intercession as well. Thanks for the post...sorry its choppy .my dog is barking away here : )
Don't forget fasting as a means to make our prayer for our loved ones more effective. See Padraig's post entitled Fasting for an excellent video.
Marino's videos are amazing. His mystic conversion is one of hope for our loved ones who seem lost: ( he is Vatican approved and speaks around the world). I found him and his amazing videos while praying for my two sons who have left the faith....the greatest sorrow in my life. I'm holding fast to the trust I have in the power of the Divine Mercy....Jesus, I trust in you+++if any of you are reading this, please offer a prayer for my sons.....thank you. God might have allowed this for my own sanctification .....if so, it might be my purgatory. (For more of more of his videos, look for "pilgrims of love" on you tube)
I too am in the same boat...with two sons as well. We are living in the times of the great apostasy predicted at Fatima. Their salvation is my only desire in life. I attend daily mass, pray the rosary, Divine Mercy and St. Bridget 12 year prayers daily. God will have mercy because of our prayers...He will offer them His salvation, even if it is their last breath...even if we do not live to see it.....Jesus, I trust in You+++
Add my children to your prayer list Kathy and I'll be praying for everyone here too! If our prayers have already been answered in heaven, then our prayers will be for those who have no one praying for them....trust in Jesus+++
Your suggestion for a weekly Mass is one of my offerings to bring my sons back to the faith. I have one said weekly as a "special intention"....one is being said tomorrow...the first Saturday.
