Prayers for Vinnie

A lot of folks around here know Deacon Bill Ditewig. Tonight, he’s flying to Iowa for a trip no one ever wants to make, especially around the holidays.

His four-year-old grandson, Vincent Hurd, has a mass on his brain. He’s undergoing the first of two surgeries tonight, and another on Thursday.

I don’t usually rattle the tin cup around here, begging for prayers, but tonight I will. Please remember little Vinnie in your prayers, and whisper a petition for all the Ditewigs who are facing a long, cold night and an uncertain morning. When I asked Bill if I could mention this on the blog, he said, “Sure. And while you’re at it: my sister Jeanne just had cancer surgery. Might as well pray for the whole clan!”

So in that spirit, from the prayers for the pastoral care of the sick, we pray:

Father, your son accepted our sufferings to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. Hear the prayers we offer for our sick brother and sister. May all who suffer pain, illness or disease realize that they have been chosen to be saints and know that they are joined to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

And there is this, a prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:

O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of sinners,
comforter of the afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings;
look with mercy on me.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes,
you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary,
whence you dispense your favors;
and already many sufferers have obtained
the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with complete confidence
to implore your maternal intercession.

Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests.
Through gratitude for your favors,
I will endeavor to imitate your virtues,
that I may one day share your glory. Amen.