This Simple Prayer is a Life-Changer!

Shop Amazon Devices – Save $30 on the all-new Kindle Paperwhite

Saint Brother André Bessette had an extraordinary devotion to Saint Joseph.

The eighth of 12 children, Brother André was adopted at 12.  According to Franciscan Media, he had various trades: farmhand, shoemaker, baker, blacksmith.  He was also a factory worker in the United States.

At 25, André applied for entrance into the Congregation of Holy Cross — and the rest, as they say, is history.

      

John Paul II participated in the solemn rite of beatification for Brother André on May 23, 1982 in St. Peter’s Square.  On October 17, 2010, Brother André was canonized in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI. [1]

My first visit to Brother André’s  St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal was life changing.

Built in the Italian Renaissance style, the basilica is set on top of Mount Royal as a model of Christian charity.  It’s shining copper dome — second-largest of its kind in the world, smaller only than St. Peter’s in Rome  — cannot be hidden from the eyes of all people below.  In the nave of L’Oratoire Saint-Joseph, one entire wall is dedicated to crutches miraculously left behind by cured pilgrims for all to see.

However life-changing that experience was, nothing changed my life more than a simple prayer that I found on Pinterest attributed to Brother André.

“When you invoke St. Joseph,” Brother André said, “you don’t have to say much. Say…

If you were in my place, Saint Joseph
What would you do?
Well, pray for this on my behalf.”

It’s a prayer I recite often throughout my day. I have never felt such inner peace since giving this simple prayer a try.

Try it!  Ite ad Joseph. Your life may change as well.

James Henry is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, Kwanzaa Klaus, Hail Mary series, and two children’s books: The Second Prince and Klaus: The Gift-giver to ALL!  As a writer, James has been widely featured on Bob Salter (CBS Radio), Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.

Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write.

To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman/McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.

Read Full Post »

Saint Chuck: The Patron Saint in Your Family

When Catholics say we are praying to a saint, we really mean through or with a saint.  Just like you may ask a friend to pray for a loved one — or even for yourself, we ask a member of the Communion of Saints, our brothers and sisters in Christ who are with Him in Heaven, to pray for a loved one — or even for oneself.

So, we are literally saying “Saint (insert name), can you pray for me today”.

The answer to that prayer (a miracle) is simply our proof that they are indeed in Heaven in communication with Christ — and Jesus performed the actual Miracle.

When I’m asked: Why don’t we just go directly to Jesus?  I humbly reply:  I do, but sometimes I need more help.  

In short: If you’re in Heaven, you are a Saint, regardless whether your name is John Paul, Padre Pio, Mother Theresa — or Chuck.

Every family has someone in Heaven, so every family has a Saint Grandpa John or a Saint Uncle Pio or a Saint Aunt Theresa.  Every family has a Saint Chuck to pray to.

Your Saint Chuck may not have an official Feast Day or two credited miracles or have “fame of sanctity” beyond the confines of your home — but that doesn’t make your Saint Chuck any less a saint.

So, ask your Saint Chuck to pray for a friend, for a loved one — or even for yourself.

It’s simple.  All you have to say is…

Saint Chuck pray for us … and then let go.

In God’s time, a miracle will occur.

 

James Henry is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, ‘Twas, and the new book series Hail Mary. To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman & McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.

 

So, who’s the Saint in your family?  Tells us in the comments below.

Read Full Post »