What I Learned Wednesday #16: Nope, Nope, Nope Edition

If I had kept these What I Learned Wednesday (#WILW) posts like I had wanted to, this would've been the 35th installment. Yes, I counted. I will try to get better at these, even after the Year of Faith ends. Oh yes, that's still going on despite what some of you may think. lol. ;)

Anyway, without further ado, here's this week's WILW.

1. Some Catholics will believe anything as long as it's on "the news." It saddened me to see just how many Catholics believed the MSM (mainstream media) this past week. I was expecting more of it from the English-language news outlets than the Spanish-language but I saw it on both. I personally watched Univision this past week (after a seminarian gave me the heads up that they weren't as Catholic-friendly as one would've thought) and I was unpleasantly surprised by the shoddy reporting. First they were talking about the "radical" words of Pope Francis (which have been twisted by almost every non-Catholic news agency) regrading homosexuality. Then, the next day, they reported more clarification (even interviewed a priest), which would've been great except that at the end of the news report they interviewed a gay Catholic man about how the Church needs to "get with the time." They ended the report with an open-ended question about whether Pope Francis and/or the Church would ever change. Way to confuse the audience, Univision. *sarcastic slow clap* Something I learned early on (pre-reversion) in my intro to Journalism course (freshman year of college) was that the MSM will always be biased. Always. It's no secret that it's anti-Catholic 99% of the time so I don't understand why people don't take the time to look into what Pope Francis actually said. I actually saw his response to the question from a reporter, which was in Spanish (thank goodness for being raised bilingual) and I saw how easily someone who doesn't understand Catholicism could twist the words. Instead of relying on media outlets, check out video/audio clips (as unedited as possible). Better yet, go to the USCCB or Vatican websites and check the Church's stance on homosexuality for yourself. It hasn't changed and it won't change, no matter how much people many want it to. Click here to read it straight from the Catechism via the Vatican's website.

2. Moving on from that unpleasantness, I was happy to learn (along with most of you) that the next World Youth Day (2016) will be held in Krakow, Poland. Yay! I only have two big World Youth Days before the cutoff age of 35 (I'll be 34 in 2019; no, I'm not ashamed to say how old I am) so I am determined to either go to this next one or (fingers crossed that it's in Ireland, the U.S. or Canada) in 2019. I know a lot of, ahem, "traditional" Catholics call WYD a "Catholic hippie-fest" but I like them. My first one was WYD 2008 in Sydney (happened two years after my reversion) and I've continually gotten something out of each. They've helped me grow spiritually so I am ignoring all the "hippie-fest" naysayers. Also, a little sad that some of y'all talked so much smack about the Masses and the music. Don't forget that some cultures celebrate their Masses different. I am not a fan of the clapping and dancing in Masses -- I'm a fan of the solemn, Gregorian chant, Latin Masses though not in a snobbish way -- but I do recognize and respect the fact that it's not celebrated the same way everywhere. I think some people missed the great homilies and words that Pope Francis spoke because they were being nitpicking everything.

3. Just when I was done with discernment, nope (nope nope). I have to discern both career vocation and vocation vocation again. My spiritual director thought it would be a good idea to discern what I will study in grad school (Speech-Language Pathology vs. Theology) as well as my "other" vocation (mother & wife vs. consecrated single). It's going to take a while so please keep me in your prayers. I am honestly leaning towards SLP (and I have been prepping myself for the exams and whatnot) but I've had enough people (spiritual director included) bring up an MA in Theology that I have to really discern things. There may be something that everyone is seeing that I'm missing (wouldn't be the first time).

As for the vocation vocation, I am in a state of limbo. I thought I was 100% positive that it was of wife and mother but I've been having my doubts lately. Not that I haven't had a chance to date; opportunities presented themselves but I haven't wanted to. I don't know if it's because I've become used to being single (and have been enjoying it) or because I haven't met/dated the right guy yet. I am currently suffering from the Emma Woodhouse "... I am not only not going to be married at present, but have very little intention of ever marrying at all" syndrome. I feel selfish for thinking this way but I've gotten a taste of independence (first time I haven't had any heavy adult responsibilities since the age of 12) and, while I would be happy to give it up for the right fella, I haven't had the need to give it up yet. Call it the curse of the Millennials or whatever but it's not my time yet. If it happens, it'll happen and I won't fight it. For now it's trips to Disneyland, staying up reading whatever I want, and enjoying going out with friends. Either way, I will be spending a lot of time in prayer. I pray not only for guidance but for my future husband if I am to marry in the future. I'm very grateful that I have a fantastic spiritual director to help me along the way. :)

... and this blog post is officially way longer than I intended. Oops. I really should've saved number 3 for a separate blog post but I didn't have a number 3 so I improvised. lol.

I won't make this any longer so I will say: thanks for making it to the end of this blog post. If I could give you all cookies and milk for getting this far, I would. lol.

I should go do something productive (currently on a mini vacation but still). Maybe I'll go finish one of the 5-6 books I have going on at least. I really should do something about that. lol.

As always, thanks for reading and God bless. :D

Proud to Not Fit in Any Catholic Blogger Niche

It has come to my attention that I don't fit in any "Catholic blogger niche." I don't blog about being a wife and mother (for obvious reasons) or about single life. I don't blog about Church news like other blogs. I rarely touch politics because a) I hate the comments that come with it and b) I am not very savvy on the topic and don't want to make a fool of myself. I don't focus on girly or fashion oriented things (though I love all things feminine). I am not trying to sell you anything. I am not trying to be a popular blogger. I am still surprised when I hear people outside my group of friends read the ramblings I post. Sure, this blog is written in a personal, journal style but even then I put some limits in what I share. Remember the ongoing joke that I will marry and no one will find out until way after it happens? Yes, it'll still most likely end up happening. lol. I have no other excuse for this except that it's just not my style... and I'm proud of it.

I sort of feel like an old woman (silence from the "you're in your late 20s; you're old!" peanut gallery) amongst the rest of my Gen-Y/Millennial Catholic bloggers, especially the more popular bloggers. I tend to be more old fashioned in many things. The next couple of things I will say will tick off some of my fellow bloggers but I need to say this for myself. As I said, I feel like I'm old fashioned in many ways. I don't feel the need to use cuss and carefully choose my words when I post them, whether they be on the blog or on Twitter/FB (they're the same for me at this point). I feel like some things should be kept to oneself, especially if these things involve another person. I don't see the point in bashing other bloggers for controversy or higher blog stats. I love hearing about courtship (and dating) stories such as Clare's on The Catholic Young Woman because, by golly, I love the idea of courtship and dating with purpose (i.e. not ruled by hormones or infatuation). I keep up with blogs like The Catholic Young Woman and The Careless Catholic because they remind me of how much I love being a young woman (femininity FTW!) and also that, though they themselves aren't amongst the most popular Catholic blogs, it's all about substance and being genuine. If I were to pick a niche, I would love to be counted with these two as well as others like these... but I'm not quite in the same group as these lovely bloggers.

I write about vocation stuff, sure, but I don't whine about being single. Okay, that's mostly because I am honestly in no rush and because I am enjoying being single. It's a good time to get to know and better myself. If/when the time comes when I meet an awesome fella, I'm not going write much about that. If/when I do, I'm going to ask him if it's alright, just like I ask any of my friends -- guys and girls; because, really, who wants to be written about without their consent, especially about something as private as a relationship? When I get married and have my children, I'm not going to write much about that either. I may write about what I've personally learned and how it's shaped my relationship with the Lord but the rest will be left out because that's who I am; I'm a surprisingly private person (which my closest friends will confirm) despite what goes on Twitter (which is mostly fun and somewhat pointless).

As the blog indicates, I'm Catholic, I write, and I'm a self-proclaimed nerd. This is my journey. I won't let the comments that I should "fit into the Catholic blogger mold" affect what I write. I don't fit in. Story of my life. But I'm okay with it. More than that, I'm proud of it. Not the "whoo! I'm different! BOOYAH!" proud but I'm content with the decisions I've made regarding this blog.

Anyway, just needed to say this and hope that I won't get any more comments (though I may; some poor souls love to criticize and/or "have an opinion" about things that don't concern them) about why my blog is "so different" and why I don't "change things to get a bigger 'fan' base." If no one ever reads this blog again, oh well. I'm going to keep writing for me. And now I'm just repeating myself. lol.

I should go try to finish Saints in Love for a blog review (soon) and enjoy the rest of my day off.

If you have any prayer requests, send them my way. I am surprisingly low on these. ;)

As always, thanks for reading and God bless!

Death Anniversaries and the Crucifix

As I type this I am sad, weepy mess. Tomorrow will be 4 years since my father passed away and it still sucks. While I am not a soul-sucking killjoy (or at least I hope I'm not), I am in a funk and the only way to get some of it out is to write so... here I am.

My spiritual director picked up (after one meeting) that I was not done mourning my father's death. He's right; I'm not. It's been a slow process. I don't know where he is (still in purgatory or already in Heaven) but I hope he will either soon be in Paradise or already is. That provides some comfort. I am so incredibly grateful that he came back right before he died and embraced the Church and God fully. I still tear up when I think of how he returned (received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist for the first time in over 40 years) the day before my 24th birthday... and how he had told my mom that it was because he knew how much it would mean to me. My father forgot my birthday every year (without fail) but he gave me the greatest gift for the last one he would be alive for. That is a wonderful memory that I like to think of instead of remembering about how he died.

I saw my father died. I saw him take his last breath. I heard the monitors that were hooked on him flat line. I felt how cold he was hours after he had died (I was the last person to leave him before he was taken to the morgue). All of that triggers my PTSD and makes me feel physical ill; I even feeling a bit faint as I type it out. Yeah, not fun. Don't worry, I am having sugary cereal and making myself a cup of tea so I'll be fine. Anyway, thinking about him and his death reminded me of something: I've always been scared of death but have never had the guts to admit it.

I don't know why but I've always been afraid of it. My earliest memory is of me when I was around 4-5 years-old, sick in bed, asking my parents if I was going to die. I was terrified that being sick meant I was going to die. How I got the idea in that little mind of mine, I don't know. I also remember being utterly terrified of a statue of Jesus, lying in a glass coffin, at the beautiful church where part of my family still attends Mass in Mexico. I visited that small town from ages 7-12 (so, not in over 16 years) and that statue still leaves an impression on me when I think about it.

I wonder, why are we all so afraid of death? Is it because we've all done really dumb (read: still, very human) mistakes that we don't want to be held accountable for? Is it because we don't know where we will end up? Is it because we fear that it's too late to seek total forgiveness and amend our lives? Because it totally isn't and we can.

I think that, for me personally, it's a combination of all of those. I've done a lot of really cringe-worthy things. In fact, I still do. I'm getting better at staying out of the confessional for longer periods of time but I still have to go. I'm not perfect. Do I occasionally think that I will die with some mortal sin without having a chance to confess it? Yes. That worries me. Why do you think I try to lead a holy life (though I often fail) and why I insist on going to confession regularly? I'm not taking any chances.

I think about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. God loves us to much that His only son (who did not sin) died in the most cruel manner for us. He loves us to much that we have this beautiful sacrament that absolves us from our human mistakes (if one is truly sorry for having committed them) so that we may join him in Heaven one day. There's still hope for us all. It's that hope that keeps me going... and keeps me from going into full depression mode when I think about my father. Every time I look at a crucifix, I am reminded of both the sacrifice and the hope. That is also the reason why I am saving up to get myself a crucifix to wear around my chain (along with my St. Jude pendant; St. Jude's intercession got me to revert to the Faith). I know many non-Catholic Christians will be unhappy with my choice (crucifix instead of a cross) but it's something I am going to do for myself, not for them.

Yes, today and tomorrow are going to suck (pardon the language). I am (and will undoubtedly be) a weepy mess for at least the next two days but whenever I look at the crucifix, which is hung right in front of my bed, I will think about what it means to me. I will give thanks to God for allowing me to have my earthly father for 24 years, for sending His son for our sins, and for His unending love for us.

Believe it or not, I am no longer crying and I am feeling more at peace. Huh. Writing really does help. :)

Anyway, I need to go eat before my next tutoring session begins. Sorry if this post was kind of a downer but I needed to get it out of my chest. :)

As always, thanks for reading and God bless.

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and My Father; Mini Book Review

Catholic Memes is responsible for this awesome meme.

This post was supposed to be published yesterday, for Bl. Pier Giorgio's feast day, but I didn't get a chance so here it goes today.

I'm usually a fast reader. My Brother Pier Giorgio: His Last Days was supposed to be an easy read at only 120 pages. I should've finished it in less than 24 hours. How long did it take me? Four days. Why? Because I had to stop more often than anticipated. And why did I stop so often? Because it reminded me way too much of what I went through with my own father. The PTSD kicked in at times, leaving me feeling faint and anxious at times. I don't regret reading it and would gladly endure the PTSD symptoms if it was longer because I truly liked it.

First the quick book review: as I said before, I liked the book. I didn't enjoy reading about Bl. Pier Giorgio's suffering. I didn't enjoy reading about his family's sorrow. What I enjoyed was the intense love for God and our Blessed Mother that Bl. Pier Giorgio had until the end. I won't spoil anything for those of you who want to read it but I will say that I was deeply touched by Bl. Pier Giorgio's devotion and yearning for heaven, even into his last moments on earth. The book is written by his sister, Luciana, and it covers the last couple of days of his short life. She writes with such feeling and detail that I felt as if I personally experienced it with them. If you have yet to read it, I recommend that you do.

Now for the rest: the parallels between Bl. Pier Giorgio's and my father's last days. If you haven't been a reader of this blog for long (or weren't a reader while I chronicled my father's last months), I'll provide links so you can catch up. Warning: I've been told tissues are necessary in some places.

I became an admirer of Bl. Pier Giorgio's before my father's last cancer diagnosis. When we heard that dad's cancer was terminal, I asked for Bl. Pier Giorgio's intercession. "Please let this be the miracle that you need to be canonized," I pleaded. "Please, help him stop suffering! Please!" I selfishly wanted my father to live. 4 years ago yesterday, I had a Mass dedicated to Bl. Pier Giorgio on his feast day. As you may read, I stayed behind and prayed for his intercession (along with intercessions of other saints for other prayer request I'd received). I went to visit my father after Mass. It was one of the last times he would be able to hold down his food and coffee... just like Bl. Pier Giorgio did. On Bl. PG's feast day, my father savored his favorite drink (coffee) just like Bl. PG did towards the end of his life (as per the book).

A few days later, and two days before his death, I wrote this post about how I was handling the news that my father had a week or so to live. Watching my father looking more and more thin every day (the cancer had spread to his liver and stomach at the end) was hard for me. Luciana, Bl. Pier Giorgio's sister, wrote a similar account with the same feelings I experienced about seeing Bl. PG deteriorate. It was hard but I prayed for a miracle, just like she, their family, and friends did for Bl. PG.

My father died, like Bl. Pier Giorgio, on a Saturday... exactly one week after Bl. PG's feast day. I didn't get the miracle I wanted but I did get the strength I needed to get through the funeral preparations and the funeral itself. A year later Bl. Pier Giorgio would intercede for me in a big way (which I will talk about in a bit). The book reminded me that life is short and precious, how we never know how or when we will go, and how we should try to live a life of the Beatitudes (like Bl. Pier Giorgio did). While my relationship with my father was similar to Bl. PG's with his father, I was reminded that my father died being proud of me as I know Bl. PG's father must have been of him when the word of his good deeds came to light.

Though my intercession plea to Bl. Pier Giorgio didn't happen (as it was not God's will for my father), he did come through for me a few months later when I applied to transfer to that horrid CINO college (seriously, I didn't know how bad it was before I attended). I received the news that I wouldn't need an enormous loan to pay for school. The year that my father died, I was supposed to enter the school with a $20,000+ (per year) loan. I withdrew and reapplied for the next year and received grants and scholarships. I ended up graduating with a small loan of $2,000 (total) for the two years I was there. Through his intercession I was able to graduate (from a $40,000 per school year college) with a savings of over $40,000 (I'm counting some interest there). Thank you for your intercession, Bl. Pier Giorgio!

Anyway, the whole point of this post is that I am incredibly grateful to Bl. Pier Giorgio for everything he's done for me. He (along with St. Therese) was my "heavenly buddy" during my imprisonment (haha!) at the CINO college, as he was before and continues to be to this day. While the book about his last days reminded me (in detail) about my father's last days, it also reminded me (through Luciana's words) that life goes on but that doesn't mean we forget those who have had a great impact on our lives. There is always time to fix any bad habits and strive for a more saintly life.

Okay, I am about two seconds from going into ugly crying face mode so I'm going to stop here. :) Oh! One last thing before I go: I will work hard to get that second miracle Bl. Pier Giorgio needs to become a saint... even if it means spreading the word of his life and his good deeds to people who have never heard of him. He will be declared a saint one day and I hope that it happens in my lifetime. :)

And now I am off to try to distract myself because I am in danger of get thrown into a depressive funk. It happens every year around this time since the 4th anniversary of my father's death is coming up next Thursday.

I hope you all had a great week and have a wonderful weekend. :D

As always, thanks for reading and God Bless! :D

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena: Day Nine

(side note: Baby Bl. Pier Giorgio!!!!)

Day Nine:

Jesus says: “Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”

Pier Giorgio responds: “We who by the grace of God are Catholics must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certainly have to fight to fulfill our program and to give our country, in the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society. But to achieve this we need constant prayer to obtain from God that grace without which all our powers are useless.”

We pray: Blessed Pier Giorgio, show me how to bear all wrongs patiently. Help me to accept the sufferings which others inflict on me because of my desire to be faithful to Jesus.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who protects the innocent, all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I confidently turn to you for help in my present need: (mention your request.)

Litany of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (for private devotion)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
All the angels and saints, pray for us. 

Blessed Pier Giorgio, pray for us. 
Loving son and brother, pray for us. 
Support of family life, pray for us. 
Friend of the friendless, pray for us. 
Most Christian of companions, pray for us. 
Leader of youth, pray for us. 
Helper of those in need, pray for us. 
Teacher of charity, pray for us. 
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Comfort of the sick, pray for us. 
Athlete for God’s kingdom, pray for us. 
Conqueror of life’s mountains, pray for us. 
Defender of truth and virtue, pray for us. 
Opponent of every injustice, pray for us. 
Patriotic citizen of the nation, pray for us. 
Loyal son of the Church, pray for us. 
Devoted child of the Madonna, pray for us. 
Ardent adorer of the Eucharist, pray for us. 
Fervent student of the Scriptures, pray for us. 
Dedicated follower of St. Dominic, pray for us. 
Apostle of prayer and fasting, pray for us. 
Guide to a deep love for Jesus, pray for us. 
Diligent in work and study, pray for us. 
Joyful in all of life’s circumstances, pray for us. 
Strong in safeguarding chastity, pray for us. 
Silent in pain and suffering, pray for us. 
Faithful to the promises of Baptism,  pray for us. 
Model of humility, pray for us. 
Example of detachment, pray for us. 
Mirror of obedience, pray for us. 
Man of the Beatitudes, pray for us. 

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V.   Pray for us, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:  Father, You gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick.  Through his intercession, may we, too, walk the path of the Beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

IMPRIMATUR, November 2, 1994:
+Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.,
Bishop of Beaumont, TX 

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena: Day Eight

Day Eight:

Jesus says: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Pier Giorgio responds: “To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth – that is not living, but existing.”

We pray: Blessed Pier Giorgio, teach me silence in the face of personal humiliation and unjust criticism. But guide me to be courageous like you in standing on the side of God’s truth. Help me to be faithful to Him in all things, so that His Will may be done in and through my life. Show me how to persevere in the struggle for those things which are holy and honorable.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your intercession in obtaining from God, Who is the source of grace and truth, all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare. I confidently turn to you for help in my present need: (mention your request.)

Litany of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (for private devotion)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
All the angels and saints, pray for us. 

Blessed Pier Giorgio, pray for us. 
Loving son and brother, pray for us. 
Support of family life, pray for us. 
Friend of the friendless, pray for us. 
Most Christian of companions, pray for us. 
Leader of youth, pray for us. 
Helper of those in need, pray for us. 
Teacher of charity, pray for us. 
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Comfort of the sick, pray for us. 
Athlete for God’s kingdom, pray for us. 
Conqueror of life’s mountains, pray for us. 
Defender of truth and virtue, pray for us. 
Opponent of every injustice, pray for us. 
Patriotic citizen of the nation, pray for us. 
Loyal son of the Church, pray for us. 
Devoted child of the Madonna, pray for us. 
Ardent adorer of the Eucharist, pray for us. 
Fervent student of the Scriptures, pray for us. 
Dedicated follower of St. Dominic, pray for us. 
Apostle of prayer and fasting, pray for us. 
Guide to a deep love for Jesus, pray for us. 
Diligent in work and study, pray for us. 
Joyful in all of life’s circumstances, pray for us. 
Strong in safeguarding chastity, pray for us. 
Silent in pain and suffering, pray for us. 
Faithful to the promises of Baptism,  pray for us. 
Model of humility, pray for us. 
Example of detachment, pray for us. 
Mirror of obedience, pray for us. 
Man of the Beatitudes, pray for us. 

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V.   Pray for us, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:  Father, You gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick.  Through his intercession, may we, too, walk the path of the Beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

IMPRIMATUR, November 2, 1994:
+Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.,
Bishop of Beaumont, TX 

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Novena: Day Seven

Day Seven:

Jesus says:  “Blessed are the 

peacemakers, for they shall be called 

 

children of God.” 

Pier Giorgio responds:  “I offer you 

 my best wishes – or, rather, only one 

 

wish, but the only wish that a true 

friend can express for a dear friend:  

 

may the peace of the Lord be with you 

always!  For, if you possess peace 

 every day, you will be truly rich.”

We pray:  Blessed Pier Giorgio, 

 despite your daily struggles, you found 

 

peace by fostering your own well being 

 

in work, study, and play; in prayer 

 

alone and with others; in silence and in 

 

song, in laughter and in serious 

 

conversation with friends.  Guide me to 

that inner peace which will enable me 

 to share peace with others. 

Blessed Pier Giorgio, I ask for your 

 intercession in obtaining from God, 

 

Who is our peace, all the graces 

 

necessary for my spiritual and 

temporal welfare.  I confidently turn to 

 

you for help in my present need:  

 

(mention your request.) 

Litany of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (for private devotion)
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
All the angels and saints, pray for us. 

Blessed Pier Giorgio, pray for us. 
Loving son and brother, pray for us. 
Support of family life, pray for us. 
Friend of the friendless, pray for us. 
Most Christian of companions, pray for us. 
Leader of youth, pray for us. 
Helper of those in need, pray for us. 
Teacher of charity, pray for us. 
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Comfort of the sick, pray for us. 
Athlete for God’s kingdom, pray for us. 
Conqueror of life’s mountains, pray for us. 
Defender of truth and virtue, pray for us. 
Opponent of every injustice, pray for us. 
Patriotic citizen of the nation, pray for us. 
Loyal son of the Church, pray for us. 
Devoted child of the Madonna, pray for us. 
Ardent adorer of the Eucharist, pray for us. 
Fervent student of the Scriptures, pray for us. 
Dedicated follower of St. Dominic, pray for us. 
Apostle of prayer and fasting, pray for us. 
Guide to a deep love for Jesus, pray for us. 
Diligent in work and study, pray for us. 
Joyful in all of life’s circumstances, pray for us. 
Strong in safeguarding chastity, pray for us. 
Silent in pain and suffering, pray for us. 
Faithful to the promises of Baptism,  pray for us. 
Model of humility, pray for us. 
Example of detachment, pray for us. 
Mirror of obedience, pray for us. 
Man of the Beatitudes, pray for us. 

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V.   Pray for us, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:  Father, You gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick.  Through his intercession, may we, too, walk the path of the Beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

IMPRIMATUR, November 2, 1994:
+Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.,
Bishop of Beaumont, TX