# Prayer to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
*2019-01-27*

> Bill Young shares his personal connection to Saint Mother Teresa and leads a prayer and Rosary for those suffering from cancer and other illnesses.

## A Personal Connection to Mother Teresa

I believe I have a close relationship with Saint Mother Teresa. It began years ago when she was still a Blessed; I attended a conference at Ave Maria University to see Father Michael Gaitley, and at the time, they had the only museum dedicated to her. I received a blessed medal of hers that I still wear today. Later, I remember asking the Lord why she had not yet been canonized, noting that Saint John Paul II had already been a saint despite them living during the same era. Interestingly, the announcement of her canonization came on December 12th, which is my birthday and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

I was also blessed to travel to Rome for her canonization Mass. It was a very hot day, and though we were standing in the back, I felt that God, the angels, and the saints were all present. I recall seeing images that looked like the Christ on the Cross and an archangel, along with what Father Michael Gaitley describes as the 'little souls' in heaven attending the ceremony. Since then, I have met several Sisters of Charity, including one who worked directly with Mother Teresa. Recently, a sister in Delray Beach gave me a holy card containing a small piece of Mother Teresa's habit, which was a wonderful blessing.

## The Power of Faith and Miracles

I want to share a prayer to Saint Mother Teresa for those with special intentions. I am currently praying for a former coworker and friend, Annette, who is battling stage four cancer. I believe in miracles. I remember visiting a conference in South Miami during the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, where the heart of Saint Padre Pio was present. As I touched the glass container, I felt a warmth and was reminded of the Gospel story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' cloak. Jesus told her, 'Your faith alone cured you.'

This reminds us that while we seek miracles, faith is a vital ingredient. I am also praying for a nephew of a member of the Legion of Mary who is undergoing an operation. We must keep faith and trust in the Lord's power to heal.

## Proclaiming the Good News

We should always proclaim the good news and thank the Lord for His gifts. I think of the ten lepers who were cured, but only one returned to thank Jesus. It is important that we do not keep the Lord's works a secret. Whether through the internet or podcasts, we have the opportunity to share how the Holy Spirit guides us. I am a sinner, and I am far from organized—my desk is a mess—but God comes to the lowest of us. He came for sinners, not the righteous, and He is always there for us in our lowest moments.

## Reflections on the Trinity and the Sacraments

I've had experiences that remind me that wherever Jesus is, the Trinity is with Him. During Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and the Father and Holy Spirit are there as well, for they are one. This is a great solace. Similarly, in the Sacrament of Confession, we are not just talking to a priest. A friend of mine, Gabby, once shared that while confessing, she saw a man with a beautiful glow in a white gown listening to her. Even if we don't see the vision, Jesus is truly there forgiving our sins.

## Lenten Sacrificial Giving

As Lent approaches, I've been thinking about sacrificial giving. I recall the story of the widow who gave two small coins; Jesus said she gave more than the wealthy because she gave everything she had. Father Michael Gaitley once mentioned how, as a student, he gave up soda and donated the savings to charity. I plan to practice this by giving monthly to the Marians. We are called to stretch out our hands to the poor, remembering the Lord's words: 'Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.'

*By combining faithful prayer, sacrificial giving, and the proclamation of God's mercy, we allow the love of Jesus to radiate through our lives to others.*