Mary Sullivan

“What sign can You do?” was what was asked out loud.

It’s the question put to Jesus by the disbelieving crowd.

To ancestors in the desert, manna had been sent.

God sent them food from heaven.  Their hunger He’d prevent.

Jesus had an answer.  And He gave it to them.

Christ could only speak the truth.  He said: Amen, Amen.

The bread came not from Moses.  That is what He said.

The Father, up in Heaven, had given them this bread.

Dear Lord, help us to believe, ever believe in You.

May we turn to You for each need, for each deep yearning too.

May we receive You often. You are the bread of life.

You are the path to our peace, the way out of our strife.

May loved ones be freed from sin.  And turn to You instead.

May they all find You Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

Give them life abundant.  Let them know just why You came.

Help them all to seek the truth, call upon Your Holy Name.

Give them life now Jesus; thou their souls through sin seem dead.

May all find new life in You, Lord, in the breaking of the Bread.

(John 6:30 to 35)

“We know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Dear Lord, if we trust You and love You as we should.

We know that one day, loving Lord, all things will work for good.

If we love You through this darkness, through the blessings which You send,

All will one day work for good, together for good in the end.

Grant us the grace to love You, Lord.  Show us the way to pure love.

Grant us the grace to be called to Your purpose.  Grant us grace from above.

Grant this grace to loved ones, Lord, who’ve wandered so far way.

Grant us the grace to love You, Lord.  Grant us this grace today.

And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

(Luke 5:17, 20-16)

Are you feeling poor my dear child? Deprived of what your heart longs for?

Rejoice in the Lord, for the Kingdom awaits, the Kingdom of God is yours.

Do you hunger now for righteousness? In righteousness do you abide?

Rejoice in the Lord, dear little one, for you will be satisfied.

Are you weeping dear beloved? Shedding tears on others’ behalf?

Rejoice in the Lord, my dear one. For one day you will laugh.

Are you excluded and insulted? For your faith in Christ, met with hate?

Rejoice and leap for joy.  Your reward in heaven is great!

May we fight for righteousness, rejoice when met with hatred,

May our hearts be broken by all things which break Your Heart, so sacred.

Suffering here for a little while. But the path of the Lord leads to laughter,

It’s the path to a joyful eternity, a joyful ever after.

Grant to loved ones’ the grace they need to fight for righteousness and to win.

Grant them all the grace they need to repent and to weep over sin.

Grant them the grace that for the faith, they’ll endure exclusion and insult.

Grant them the grace to persevere, though hated as a result.

May the path of the Lord be the path we all walk.  May the path of the Lord be our choice.

May the path of the Lord be the only path in which we forever rejoice.

Through the path of the Lord, we encounter pain; but pain does not end the story.

The path of the Lord is the only path to our one-day heavenly glory.

St. Charles and Companions, to you we do plead.

In dire need of intercession, we beg you now, do intercede.

When King Mwanga took his throne, sought to do evil deeds.

You resisted mightily, to God’s truth you did accede.

We honor your love for our Lord, your peace and perseverance,

Your faith and true fidelity; to truth, your strong adherence.

St. Charles and Companions, lights are now growing dim.

There are many King Mwangas leading souls toward mortal sin.

You didn’t run from the faith, or from the faith try to hide.

To martyrdom you persevered, and for the truth you died.

St. Charles and Companions, pray for us, please do.

Pray we too persevere by grace, remain faithful like you.

Pray we resist all evil, as each one of you did.

Pray we shine as lights for God, that Christ’s light be not hid.

Pray all those who we love, will resist evil too.

Pray all souls will follow God, in God all be renewed.

Pray for all our families, that we may do God’s holy will.

Pray God will grant us healing, that our restless hearts be stilled.

Pray God will strengthen each of us, unite us in what is true.

Pray God will grant us grace to act as true disciples do.

Plead that grace be heaven-sent, that this battle may be won.

We fight this earthly battle in the name of Christ, God’s only Son.

We so much need your prayers.  Leave us not here abandoned.

Beg the Father to send help to us, dear Saint Charles and Companions.

Father in Heaven, to You we draw near,

May our love for You be pure and sincere.

May we hate every evil, hold fast to each good.

May we stand in truth, every trial withstood.

May we love one another, with mutual affection,

As we humbly welcome each of Your corrections.

May we not grow weary.   May we not grow slack.

Fervor in Spirit—may we never lack.

Dear Father in Heaven, grant to us the grace,

To remain steadfast, run this holy race,

Persevering in prayer, enduring affliction,

May doing Your will, be our only addiction.

Dear Heavenly Father, with faith undiluted,

May we bless those by whom we are persecuted,

Rejoicing with those who rightfully rejoice,

As we weep with those weeping as our only choice.

Bring home our loved ones, whatever the cost.

Bring them to Your Son.  May not one soul be lost.

Lift their eyes to heaven.  To You may they run.

Help them to know, love and serve Your Son.

(Based on Romans 12:9-16)