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Sherry Hayes-Peirce shares prayers to five saints who can intercede for the elderly in our families and communities.


My parish invited our members to participate in a summer reading program. The book that was chosen is The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness by Fr. Gregory Boyle S.J, founder of Homeboy Industries. 

The title wasn’t very catchy, and from what I know of Fr. Boyle and his previous novel, Tattoos on the Heart, I was not expecting that the book would resonate as deeply as it has. It was just my intention to support the ministry who is hosting a talk about the book, so I read it. Sometimes I really feel the Holy Spirit is leading me to do, see, or hear something that is in alignment with the will of God for my life. 

In the past few months, the most consistent messages I am getting are to breathe, console, and be thankful. Fr. Boyle shares evocative stories of the experiences of the former gang members served by this ministry, and the book shares many quotes from saints and others. 

The only future worth building includes everyone. (Pope Francis)

 

Homeboy Industries provides opportunities for former prison inmates to transition into the workforce and to help them understand that they are beloved by our Lord, even when they don’t believe they are worthy. 

When we are whole that is what we see in others, we choose to live in our hearts. At Homeboys Industries we see the homies heart until they can see their own then they leave here and they see other hearts. (Steve Avalos, V.P. of Trainees Social Enterprises) 

 

Fr. Greg wrote when you go to Starbucks, they ask you “What can I get started for you?" He equates this is God’s invitation to us too. It resonated so much for me that after reading it, each time I put in my Starbucks order I immediately reflect on what the Lord wants for me to do today. 

I was so touched by a story of two boys who looked forward to visiting the food pantry every week to pick up a pre-packed box of canned goods. Some of the cans did not have labels, and the boys would offer prayers for the contents of the can to be pineapple. They said many times the prayers were not answered to their satisfaction, but some days when they opened the can and it was applesauce, it felt like God had richly blessed them. 

In pondering what to write this month, another notion from the book fueled my focus. He said, “For many of us, two of our biggest fears are to lose control and experience isolation.” I thought, after the pandemic when both of these things happened and we survived, does this belief still stand? In listening to the stories of these homeboys and homegirls who lost control of their lives and experienced isolation too—and survived. 

 

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This month the pope’s prayer intention is for the elderly. So many of my friends are grappling with the decision of placing their parents in assisted living or bringing them into their homes. For many seniors, the notion is very real. Think about the habits you have connected to your home, community, and church and multiply it by 20, 30, or more years.

Now imagine that you are being told that you need to leave the place and space that you control. Again, imagine all the neighbors, friends, and family who have comprised your community for 20, 30, or more years and they are dying off or moved away, leaving you to feel isolated. The isolation can also be compounded by illness like Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and amplified fears during the ongoing pandemic.

 

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Prayers to 5 saints who can intercede for our elders as they face challenges. #catholicmom

 

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My friends know that I rely on the intercession of the saints when dealing with challenges in my life. They’ve asked me to share prayers to a few saints who can intercede for our elders who face challenges. 

 

While most of us call for the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua when we have lost something, he is also the patron for the elderly. 

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for all those who are aging and experiencing fear of losing control and being isolated would find peace of mind, heart and spirit to trust those who love them to do what is in their best interest to keep them healthy and safe. We pray to the Lord.

 

St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) was known for his great faith and bearing the stigmata. He is the perfect saint to ask for his intercession in helping a loved one young or old to find reassurance through prayer. 

Padre Pio, pray for all those who feel that God has abandoned them in their minds because they feel they are losing control and feeling isolated. Give them a sense of reassurance that God is with them and leading caregivers to do things that will keep them healthy and safe. We pray to the Lord.

 

St. Thérèse of Lisieux is known for inspiring us to do little things with great love, but she also lived with great anxiety. She would intimately know and feel the fears of seniors who are anxious about the changes in their minds, body and environment. 

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for all those who are experiencing anxiety in their life today. You found healing through confession and affirmations from others about your worth. Send angels embodied in God’s faithful people who serve them as caregivers, healthcare workers or family members who care for them to listen and share words of comfort. We pray to the Lord.

 

The patron saint for all mental illness is St. Dymphna. She was elevated to sainthood for miracles attributed to her for healing people who suffered mental illnesses. 

St Dymphna, pray for all those who suffer mental illnesses that plague the elderly, including depression, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. Help these souls to maintain memory and to see light when the darkness of depression descends. Guide their doctors to prescribe the right medicines to help them stay healthy and safe. We pray to the Lord.

 

Finally, so many of the elderly remain isolated to protect them from contracting COVID-19. The patron saint for protection during pandemics is St. Corona. 

St. Corona, pray for all those who are battling COVID and protect those susceptible to contracting it. We ask for your intercession in bringing this plague to an end. We pray to the Lord.

 

Download a printable version of these prayers

 

I hope that these simple prayers for intercession help those who need them and provide food for thought in having compassion for those who are fearful of losing control and feeling isolated. While we survived these scenarios with living through a pandemic that stripped us of control and forced isolation, remember to share the power of God with others who have forgotten.

 

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Copyright 2022 Sherry Hayes-Peirce
Images: Canva