Recommended to Heaven

   

               

Years ago I heard a talk where it was suggested that we all adopt a saint. Someone to ‘have our backs’ and pray for us. A condition was added; that we should have something in common with them.

All the sweet ladies could pick St Therese of Lisieux, the clever might go for St Alphonsus, the reformed hell raisers St Augustine perhaps. What was disturbing was that I couldn’t find a saint who fit my profile; surely heaven must have one nutter !

I eventually landed with a different idea. I’d hitch my wagon to the holy souls. Whilst not being the brightest stars in the sky they were on their way, their course was set, they had decided for God and were little by little headed in the right direction. I would pray for them and when they arrive in heaven they can pray for me.

No one goes to heaven alone, we must be recommended, and it can only be those whom we have helped get there first.

Banksy Video

Video of photos ofBanksy graffiti art with the Beatles tune 'Help' performed by Rick Wakeman.

Telegrams to Padre Pio… a story from Austria-

Shortly before Easter 1950, I found out that a dear friend of mine who lived in Innsbruck, had suffered a heart attack while visiting her sisters in Vienna; she was in hospital hovering near death. I wondered what I could do. Whenever I have asked myself this question on similar occasions, I have always felt the entirety of my wretchedness and my inability to offer real help.

Of course I can pray. To be sure, we never pray in vain, even if we are conscious of the weakness of our own prayers. But in these kind of cases we need powerful prayers; so I sent the following telegram to San Giovanni Rotondo. “Padre Pio, we very much recommend to your prayers Mrs N.B who is seriously ill in Vienna, so that she may improve, have priestly assistance and go back home”

Almost immediately I received the response from San Giovanni Rotondo “Padre Pio prays for the sick woman, sends his blessing and his best wishes” My friend recovered from her heart attack almost immeditely and her health improved day to day, she was also visited by a priest and was able to go back home to Innsbruck.

And thus all 3 things I had asked for in my telegram, at a moment when, humanly speaking there was no hope left, were granted to the letter.