# Turning Your Life Around – Day Seven of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
*2017-02-08*

> Bill Young reflects on Saint Jerome’s conversion, shares Pope St. John Paul II’s consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and leads the seventh day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.

## A Feast Day of Conversion

Today is the feast of St. Jerome Emiliani (1486‑1537), a former soldier who spent years in prison before turning his life completely to God. His story reminds us that no matter how far we have strayed, conversion is always possible. That is the theme for today’s episode: turning our lives around.

## Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Yesterday’s novena suggested an act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I read a reflection by St. John Paul II on that very consecration. He urges us to place everything we possess—our lives, our goods, even the treasure of Christ—into Mary’s hands. Mary is wise, merciful, generous, powerful, and faithful; she will protect and transform what we entrust to her for the greater glory of God. In a world that often elevates science and secularism above faith, Pope John Paul II reminds us that true wisdom comes from surrendering to Mary, the Mother of the Church.

## The Novena Prayer for Day Seven

We begin with the Litany of Our Lady of Lourdes, invoking her as the Immaculate Virgin, the dispenser of heavenly gifts, the comfort of the afflicted, and the advocate of souls. After the litany we recite the Nicene Creed, affirming our belief in the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Passion, Resurrection, and the communion of saints. The seventh‑day prayer asks Our Lady of Lourdes, who guided Bernadette to holiness, to fill us with steadfast Christian zeal so that peace and love may reign.

## A Personal Resolution

For today’s act of love, I resolve to visit a sick or lonely person. I close with three Hail Marys, asking the Blessed Virgin to intercede for us at the hour of our death and to keep us faithful to her Son.

## Closing Thoughts

May we, like St. Jerome, turn our lives around and live so fully for Christ that one day we, too, may be remembered as saints in heaven.

*Conversion is always possible when we entrust our whole lives to Mary, the Mother of all.*