# Prayer of Abandonment to the Father
*2015-07-26*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Joseph Calasanz, his trials and perseverance, and shares a heartfelt prayer of total surrender to God.

## Feast of St. Joseph Calasanz

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today, August 26th, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph Calasanz. He was a priest and a visionary educator who founded schools for the poor, eventually teaching more than 1,200 children. His religious community grew rapidly, but his ministry also faced jealousy and opposition, leading to his temporary removal from leadership. Though he did not see all the fruits of his work in his lifetime, his legacy endured.

## St. Joseph’s Example of Trust

St. Joseph Calasanz responded to adversity with the same spirit as Job, trusting that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. He prayed for his persecutors and remained good‑spirited, reminding us that true saints accept both blessings and trials with humility and faith.

## Prayer of Abandonment to the Father

Let us pray together the Prayer of Abandonment to the Father:

"My Father, I abandon myself to You. Do with me whatever You desire. For whatever You do, I will accept. I am ready for everything; I accept everything, as long as Your will is done in me and in all Your creatures. I desire nothing else. O my God, I place my soul in Your hands. I give it to You. O Lord, with all the love of my heart, because I love You, I offer myself to You, placing myself totally in Your hands with infinite trust, because You are my Father. Amen."

May this prayer help us surrender our lives to God’s loving providence.

*Like St. Joseph Calasanz, we are called to trust God completely, offering ourselves wholly to His will.*