All Saints Day (November 1) is the first of 4 Solemnities that are celebrated in the Church over a two month period. The others are the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8), The Nativity of the Lord (December 25), and Mary the Mother of God (January 1). I will speak on the importance of these Solemnities in the life of a Catholic, in a future pastor's column and the obligation the Church puts on Catholics to participate for these Solemnities.
In this column I would like to tell you about a recent experience of mine that strengthened my faith in the intercessory power of the saints, both those who are in heaven and the "Holy Ones" here on earth. As I faced the first surgery of my life (a repair of an inguinal hernia), I must admit I did not know what to expect in the time immediately preceding the surgery (which took place on August 30 in Hot Springs). I know in the days leading up to the surgery, I asked in prayer for the help of the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Padre Pio. I also asked some "Holy Ones" on earth to pray for me which included our Prayer Warriors, my family (which many of you know is large in number), friends, and the Sisters at McCauley Convent in Ft. Smith. I also turned to my loved ones who have gone before me "marked with the sign of faith to intercede for me. On the morning of the surgery I had set my alarm for 5:30 a.m., however, I work up earlier than that and looked at my smart phone to see that it was 4:17 a.m. That particular time has meaning to me because of one of my grandmother's of happy memory (1988). My mother's mother told me, when she was still physically with us, that she woke up every morning at 4:17 a.m. On the day of my surgery, I took my time waking up time as a heavenly reminder that my grandmother and other deceased relatives were praying for me before my surgery. As I was being prepped for surgery, a nurse commented that unlike so many, I seemed very calm. Looking back on it, I can truly say that my confidence in all those "Holy Ones" who were praying for me gave me peace as I prepared to "go under the knife" for the first time.
The surgery went well and the road to full recovery has gone smoothly so far, thanks be to God. I invite all of us to reflect on the power of intercessory prayer and what it can mean for the person for whom it is offered, especially the "peace of Lord" which can make all the difference in the world to those who are recipients of that gift.
In this column I would like to tell you about a recent experience of mine that strengthened my faith in the intercessory power of the saints, both those who are in heaven and the "Holy Ones" here on earth. As I faced the first surgery of my life (a repair of an inguinal hernia), I must admit I did not know what to expect in the time immediately preceding the surgery (which took place on August 30 in Hot Springs). I know in the days leading up to the surgery, I asked in prayer for the help of the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Padre Pio. I also asked some "Holy Ones" on earth to pray for me which included our Prayer Warriors, my family (which many of you know is large in number), friends, and the Sisters at McCauley Convent in Ft. Smith. I also turned to my loved ones who have gone before me "marked with the sign of faith to intercede for me. On the morning of the surgery I had set my alarm for 5:30 a.m., however, I work up earlier than that and looked at my smart phone to see that it was 4:17 a.m. That particular time has meaning to me because of one of my grandmother's of happy memory (1988). My mother's mother told me, when she was still physically with us, that she woke up every morning at 4:17 a.m. On the day of my surgery, I took my time waking up time as a heavenly reminder that my grandmother and other deceased relatives were praying for me before my surgery. As I was being prepped for surgery, a nurse commented that unlike so many, I seemed very calm. Looking back on it, I can truly say that my confidence in all those "Holy Ones" who were praying for me gave me peace as I prepared to "go under the knife" for the first time.
The surgery went well and the road to full recovery has gone smoothly so far, thanks be to God. I invite all of us to reflect on the power of intercessory prayer and what it can mean for the person for whom it is offered, especially the "peace of Lord" which can make all the difference in the world to those who are recipients of that gift.