Dozens of communities rejected a plea to work in Hawaii among those with Hansen’s disease, once called leprosy. Marianne Cope and her sisters said yes. In 30 years of ministry, Mother Marianne did not contract the disease, probably due to strict sanitary and hygiene procedures.
Pray
Saint Marianne Cope,
I find it difficult to spend time
with people whose appearance or beliefs
I find repugnant.
Show me how to love them
as you loved the people
who suffered from Hansen’s.
Act
Have a conversation with someone whose beliefs on a hot-button issue differ from yours. Focus on what you have in common rather than what divides you.
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Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus gives us the shivers. Still, we understand the skepticism that came from some of the very people—including the disciples—he’d been persecuting. Was it all an evil trick? Paul’s actions, preaching, and ultimate martyrdom proved otherwise. They could trust him—after all, Jesus did.
Pray
God, sometimes
I think I know more
about what’s
in people’s hearts
and souls
than you do.
I pledge to do
a better job
of quieting
those thoughts
and focusing on learning
from my own
conversion moments.
Act
Refrain from gossiping today about someone who seems to be making life changes to become better liked or more popular.
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Laura Montoya Upegui (1874-1949) had risen to be a Colombian school’s deputy director despite her own humble beginnings. Her faith had sustained her, and led her to work among indigenous people north of Medellín—a controversial ministry at the time for women. But Laura knew God loved those in the jungle, and that was all that mattered.
Pray
Father,
may I never forget
my beginnings,
or those of my ancestors.
May I always serve others
heart to heart,
soul to soul,
knowing we are all beloved by you.
Act
Make a donation of time, talent, or treasure to an organization or cause that helped you when you needed it most.
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Peter stumbled. Oh, did Peter stumble. Just hours after he boasted he would never deny Jesus, he did so three times. But Peter also believed in Jesus’ forgiveness and love. Small wonder it was on this humble fisherman that the Church was built.
Pray
St. Peter,
it seems like I am always
making promises to God,
and then falling short.
Help me to start each day anew
with a contrite, servant’s heart
and a steadfast spirit.
Act
Ask God to forgive you for yesterday’s sins—and forgive yourself as well.
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She was enslaved, beaten, and branded. And yet, Josephine Bakhita (c. 1869-1947) later said if she met her torturers she would kiss their feet, for without them she wouldn’t have become a Christian or a woman religious.
Pray
St. Josephine Bakhita,
show me how
to free the bitterness in my heart
against those who have wronged me.
Pray with me for the strength
to cast aside the nursing of hurts
so there is more room
for God’s light to shine.
Act
Forgive the unforgivable.
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We know Thomas Aquinas (1226–1274) as one of the Catholic Church’s greatest theologians and philosophers. But the road to all that wisdom began when he was a youngster and asked the same question so many children do: “What is God?”
Pray
God, I adore you,
I confess my sins to you,
I thank you for your many graces,
and I humbly ask for your help.
I don’t need to know what you are
to recognize your omnipotence,
and to thank you.
Act
Journal or talk with a friend about what God is—in your life and in the world. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and explore this topic.
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