Of all the Hollywood stars I have interviewed, the most spiritual by far is Liam Neeson. I talked to him for the first time several years ago in New York during the K-19: The Widowmaker junket and then in Seoul middle of last year for Taken 2. In both interviews, Neeson, a devout Catholic, mentioned that he prays The Lord’s Prayer every day — Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
I’ve been following Neeson’s example and I feel good for it. Try it.
It’s Maundy Thursday, the most appropriate time for me to offer some prayers (courtesy of some religious friends) to Funfare readers. Here they are:
Prayer For Healing (from a stampita of Blessed Mary Mother of the Poor, courtesy of Fr. Fernando Suarez)
Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy. May Your healing Spirit rest upon me. It is through Your power that I was created. Since You created me from nothing, You can certainly recreate me. Fill me with the healing power of Your spirit. May Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul. Mend what is broken. Cast out anything that should not be within me. Rebuild my brokenness.
Restore my strength for service in Your Kingdom. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others. Touch my heart with Your courage and infinite love for all. Touch my mind with Your wisdom, that my mouth may always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in my need, and help me to lead others to You by my example. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Amen.
Powerful Novena
O Jesus, Who hast said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,†through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. (Make your request.)
O Jesus, Who hast said, “All that you ask of the Father in My Name, he will grant you,†through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name that my prayer be granted. (Make your request.)
O Jesus, Who hast said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away but My word shall not pass,†through the intercession of Mary Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted.
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Prayer to St. Philomena:
Illustrious Virgin and Martyr, St. Philomena, behold me kneeling in spirit before the throne on which it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I beseech thee to intercede for me with God. From the heights of thy heavenly country, deign to cast a look upon thy humble servant. Spouse of Jesus Christ, console me in my troubles, strengthen me in temptations, protect me from the dangers which surround me on every side, and obtain all the graces necessary for me, especially (Here mention your particular intention). Above all, assist me at the hours of my death. Amen.
Prayer for the Sick
St. Philomena, who hast restored health to the sick, obtain for us health of body and especially of soul, so that following thy footsteps in the way of humility, penance and detachment from the world and from ourselves, we may merit to share with thee the ineffable joys of Eternity. Amen. (Say your intention followed by one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)
St. Philomena, pray for us!
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What’s up?
And here are some feel-good text messages from friends:
From Pinky Tobiano: Life and time are the world’s best teachers. Life teaches us to make good use of time and time teaches us the value of life.
From Shirley Kuan: Remember, there are no mistakes in life, only lessons. And lessons will keep on repeating themselves until learned…One good reason why you should not forget to pray — it’s because God did not forget to wake you up today.
From Dr. Welson Yap: To be kind is more important than to be right. Sometimes, what a person needs is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a patient heart that listens.
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