St. Anthony is sometimes associated with healing and is a powerful intercessor for the sick in part because sickness is a loss--a loss of health, sometimes a loss of peace, of hope. The parishioners of St. Anne Byzantine Church in San Luis Obispo, CA., have started a special prayer campaign for their priest, Fr. James Lane. He was recently diagnosed with an aggressive, malignant tumor near his right eye. He has already started an urgent regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. And in spite of some terrible secondary effects, he is continuing on. Some of the children in the parish were especially moved as he insists on being part of evening prayer services--in spite of having to leave several times because of nausea. The parish members are suggesting Novenas to Venerable Solanus Casey, the prayer asking for his intersession is given below. But we would also like to see this good priest restored fully to his parish and to his people. So pray to St. Anthony also that he might re-find his health.
Father, I adore You. I give myself to You. May I be the person You want me to be and may Your will be done in my life today. Thank You for the gifts You gave to Father Solanus. If it is Your will, glorify him on earth So that others will carry on his work For the poor, lonely, and suffering of our world. In order that others will joyfully accept Your divine plan, I ask You to hear this prayer (insert special request here) through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...
Update - March, 2012: Fr. James Lane has successfully undergone surgery and chemotherapy, and appears, according to his doctors, to be completely cancer free. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, thank you St. Anthony and Venerable Solanus Casey for interceding on behalf of this beloved priest~
He is one of the great saints of the Catholic Church, and one of the beloved--even far beyond Catholics themselves. Untold numbers of people turn to him, still, when there is loss. And strangely--at least strangely in the usual ways of the world--those things often quickly turn up. And often they turn up in the most unexpected--even seemingly miraculous ways. Let the stories begin.
