The recent article about Padre Pio in the Sept. 16 issue of Catholic News Herald brings to mind his intercession for my father-in-law and my eldest son.
About 25 years ago, my father-in-law was on his death bed. My son was attempting to enter medical school in the U.S. to no avail. My father-in-law’s six siblings were divided as to whether or not to continue life support for Pop. I prayed and asked for Padre Pio’s intercession for Pop and my son. As Pop’s days appeared to be numbered, my wife and I drove to Pennsylvania, hoping to see Pop before he passed. As we were about to enter the hospital, a cream-colored VW bug with darkened windows rounded the corner. Its New Jersey license plate read “Pdre Pio.” I told my wife that Pop would be OK and our son would get into medical school. Pop lived another five years and our son is a practicing physician in Pennsylvania.
William J. Barker lives in Charlotte.
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us conquer the power of evil. From famine and war, deliver us. From nuclear war, deliver us. From sins against human life at its very beginning, deliver us. From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the people of God, deliver us. From every kind of injustice, within nations and among nations, deliver us.”
It’s been 40 years, always a significant number in our Church history since Pope St. John Paul II wrote these words within the Act of Consecration of the modern world to Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 1982.
With the chaotic and perilous times we are currently experiencing, I wanted to share these words I’ve said daily for a long time. Catholics worldwide would benefit from saying this prayer after every Mass for themselves, their children and the world.
Chris Goodman lives in Charlotte.