"Pray, Hope & Don't Worry." I remember hearing these words for the first time when I was seeking healing from abortion. My immediate response was, "Yeah, right! I wish!"
It seemed impossible that God would hear my prayers, a woman who had taken the life of her own child. I felt there was no hope for me. And worry? Worry was my constant companion.
My worry paralyzed me. I was full of fear and anxiety. I was unable to function at times and constantly walking around thinking everyone could somehow tell that I had an abortion.
Padre Pio terrified me, especially because I had read that he could read hearts and would know your sins. No hiding from him! He knew how terrible I was. I avoided anything concerning him for years.
One devotion I did acquire, however, was to my guardian angel. It was his job to protect me and for some reason I trusted his intercession, so I picked up and began reading "Send Me Your Guardian Angel," a book about Padre Pio's relationship with his guaridan angel who he had the ability to see and speak to since he was a boy.
That book changed my relationship with him. I was able to begin to see his suffering, but also his compassion and his desire for me to look at my sins - not to condemn me - but to save me and to bring me to the love and mercy of God.
In time, I bought the volumes of his" letters" to his spiritual directors, which also prompted me to become one of his spiritual children.
I pray to Padre Pio everyday and follow his example in praying the perpetual novena to the Sacred Heart daily. He is no longer someone I fear, but someone I love and depend on no matter what I am going through.
"Oh Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by Your love of us that You willed to die on the cross, I thank you for glorifying in heaven and on earth, the servant of God, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, who generously participated in Your sufferings, who loved Thee so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of Your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence, I beseech Thee to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of… which I ardently desire."
Padre Pio, pray for us!
Novena begins 9/15/16!