Submit your intentions 9 Holy Masses, April 20-28

Dear Friend, 

Thank you for the many responses I received when I inquired if your intentions were answered, that were taken by Angelina and Alex, to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. 

Yes, prayers were answered – a relative coming into the Catholic Church, less pain, financial blessings, etc. And many of you have told me that you are still praying and trusting in Our Blessed Mother. 

This brought to mind one of my closest and favorite saints, who is the Patroness of Catholic Family for Faith and Action – St. Gianna Molla, whose feast day is coming up on April 28; she had such an unwavering trust in Our Lady, in every circumstance of her life. Through the intense suffering she endured - in the second month of her pregnancy, when a fibroid tumor was discovered, she refused surgery and begged Our Lady to save the child’s life in the womb over her own life. After Gianna Emanuela was born by Caesarean section on Good Friday, April 21, 1962, St. Gianna developed septic peritonitis post operatively, was in excruciating pain for a whole week, and constantly cried out: “at the hour of my death hold me tight, my Dear Mother” before she died on April 28. 

It was no coincidence that two of Our Lady’s feast days fell during the last two days of St. Gianna’s final agony: Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 26 and Our Lady of Montserrat on April 27.  

I ask that you join me in praying a novena invoking Our Lady and St. Gianna Molla from April 20-28. Nine Holy Masses will also be offered on those same days, so please submit your intentions and sign up to receive the novena each day: 

Over the centuries, popes and bishops have had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, whose miraculous painting from the 13th Century is found in an Augustinian Church near Rome. Countless people have received favors from Our Lady under this title, including restoration to good health, peace of mind from worry and fear, and the grace of a stronger and lasting faith.  

Millions have venerated the crowned image of Our Lady, wearing golden robes, with the Infant King on her lap, at the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat in Spain. The image has been on display for Papal masses since the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.  

St. Gianna is the patron saint of all mothers, especially those in difficult pregnancies (as well as women who want to conceive), unborn children and physicians. Cardinal Burke also knows the Molla Family very well and has studied the life of St. Gianna. With much admiration for the saint, he composed the beautiful prayer that will be included in the 9-day novena, an expression of everything St. Gianna was in real life.  

Let us look to the example of St. Gianna’s trust in the Blessed Mother, for she was filled with love for Our Lady and was willing to lay down her life for the Gospel. 

Yours in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Thomas McKenna

Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
http://www.catholicaction.org/