How beautiful are the prayers of the faithful…
With trust and humility, united in common purpose, the voices of God’s people rise to the vault of heaven like incense…
How it pleases God when we join one another, particularly to lift up one of our brothers or sisters who are in need…
I come to you with a most urgent need! A young woman most desperately needs your prayers.
Several years ago, a beautiful young woman named Melissa, who has always lived her life for God, decided to give it, wholly and completely, in the service of religious life. She entered the convent. But God’s ways are mysterious and it wasn’t long before she had to fight for survival. Doctors discovered a brain tumor and Melissa, with great reluctance, had to leave the convent to take up the cross of physical suffering. Through God’s grace and infinite mercy she prevailed, and returned to her home, which she lovingly states is very much like a convent. Her family lives much as the Holy Family did. In loving service of one another, with great faith, humility and simplicity.
A seven year respite and now, another tumor. This one is seemingly inoperable and the many suggested treatments are all highly dangerous and potentially fatal. Melissa’s faith is so very strong and she trusts God so implicitly, but is struggling to discern which options she should pursue. One of those options is, of course, doing nothing…
I’d like to share a little excerpt from one of her letters to give you a sense of who she is:
What I’ve suffered in my lifetime is a drop in the bucket and how dare I complain or be unappreciative of all God has given me. He could have made me suffer even more and given me an even heavier cross to carry, like so many others have been given. We can sometimes become so self-centered and think we have it bad when we have it so good. We can look at others and think how easy they have it and the actually carry a hidden cross so heavy we would collapse under it. I try to keep all things in perspective and know that God has fitted the crosses He sends, perfectly for me. However, in my weakness, I do become discourage and weary of the battle. All I long for is to be called Home. So many people want to fight and try every experimental procedure to “save their life”. This isn’t me. This world offers nothing worth “fighting for.” The only fight worth fighting for is the one that leads to our heavenly Home.
I could include many more quotes, much in the same spirit. She is precious and is humbling submitting herself to whatever God wills for her, be it life or death.
Amazingly enough, I’ve never met Melissa in person. This blog has been our means of “introduction.” Melissa had read a post I’d written regarding my frustration over having no glitter glue (a humorous lament in which I admitted coveting another woman’s craft closet!) She wrote me to tell me she was cleaning out her craft closet and asked if I’d be willing to receive a box of supplies. I said “yes” and a couple weeks later on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the children gleefully dove into a 35 lb. box of every kind of craft item you can imagine. Not just crafts…sweet little prayer books, instructions, examples and pictures of our generous friend’s family. It was precious…
I haven’t even managed to post about it, though I did take a few pictures, which I’m sure will tickle Melissa:
So my friends…
I humbly beseech you to send this prayer request to every friend you have. Every priest and religious. Anyone you know who would be willing to lift up this young woman in prayer! How pleased our Heavenly Father will be when we all beg Him to help our sister, to sustain her and grant her every grace during this time of suffering!
Once again:
~For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.~ Matthew 18:20
Blessings,
I am a traditional Catholic homeschooling mother of 9 children, married for 30 years to the most patient and sainted man. As converts to Catholicism in 1991, our family has only recently discovered the beauty and full expression of our beliefs in the timeless liturgy of antiquity, the Extraordinary Form also commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass. An avid knitter, I also enjoy gardening, reading and immersing myself in the everyday graces of my vocation.
© All rights reserved 
Will pray.
Dear Kimberley, I’m praying for this blessed young woman…keep us posted won’t you?
Will Pray
P.S. forgot to say your blog is really interesting!
Melissa and her family are in my prayers, also.
How very touched I am for your kindness towards me, a stranger. Thank you, Kimberly and each of you who have posted, privately emailed Kimberly or are praying for me anonymously. You’re prayers and sacrifices for me are of such a great value, they are priceless. I know He will hear and answer them. I cannot thank you enough for them but please know that I like wise carry you in my payers and ask God to bless you beyond measure for generosity towards me.
Things are little by little becoming clearer and decisions are starting to take shape –all because of your prayers. There are still a number of appointments and tests to go through to reach final conclusions but I know they will all happen at the pace God wants them to happen. All I need is the graces to accept His holy will and persevere to the end and these He will give to me on a day-to-day bases. I already feel so encouraged and blessed by your prayers and messages.
Though my family and I try to live like the Holy Family does, we would never dare to compare ourselves to them, for we are but mere mortals and must struggle everyday to overcome our flaws and shortcomings on a daily bases. Like all families, we have moments when we disagree and misunderstanding take place. It was surprising to read this comparison but you have given us an objective to strive even harder to be like and live the life of this Holy Trio, so that our family will be united in this world and in the next. We realize what a truly incredible blessing it is to be in a family like ours, when so many are divided. I wish everyone were likewise blessed.
My parents and sisters join me in extending a heartfelt appreciation with a great big “Thank you!” for all you are doing for us.
My elderly parents have had a difficult financial situation for a long time. If it weren’t for my sister’s assistance, my parents would lose their home and other things. Now my sister is dealing with a serious financial situation and other personal matters herself. We don’t want to worry our parents with this news. I am not in a position to help them myself. I am concerned and scared for all involved. Please pray for them – we need a miracle. God Bless You.
Beverly,
Will put this intention in my prayers. Lately, I’ve turned to St Gerard Majella for some serious matters, for other people, who needed a miracle and got them to pray to him also. St Gerard has successfully interceded on their behalf and got them their miracle. Here is the prayer we have been using
Most Blessed Trinity, I, Your child, thank You for all the gifts and privileges which You granted to Saint Gerard, especially for those virtues with which You adorned him on earth and the glory which You now impart to him in heaven. Accomplish Your work, Oh Lord, so that Your kingdom may come about on earth. Through his merits in union with those of Jesus and Mary, grant me the grace for which I ask (mention your petition).
And you, my powerful intercessor, Saint Gerard, always so ready to help those who have recourse to you, pray for me. Come before the throne of Divine Mercy and do not leave without being heard. To you I confide this important and urgent affair (mention your petition). Graciously take my cause in hand and do not let me end this prayer without experiencing the effects of your intercession. Amen.
Please pray for my daughter Sara. She was fed with a feeding tube for 3 months and she did not eat hardly anything by mouth. For the last 15 days we have not used the tube and she is learning to eat and drink by herself. Please pray that she will eat and drink enough to sustain life and grow and develop as a healthy child. She is one year old.
Dear Sylvia…you are assured of our family’s prayers! We’ll most particularly remember little Sara at our visits before the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday. God bless and keep you…
My sister is going through a very hard time in her life, kindly remove all the problems that she is currently having and please pray to almighty to grant her good health, peace and all prosperity. please give her good luck back to her so that we all live happily like a good family.