Courage

Dear Jesus,

Why does it seem like everything in my life is falling before my eyes?  I have a horrible relationship with my mother and my brother.  My father abandoned me when I was younger and he has this notion that it is alright to call me occasionally and not actually be there for me.  I’m still discerning my vocation and I feel called to the priesthood and the Salesians of St. John Bosco.  The Archdiocese of New York thinks I am angry and I am because I am not happy at home.  God is not the center of my household and it is chaotic.  At this moment, I am not sure whether I will be going back to Salesian next year and I am so upset.  Father, what must I do and how should I react?  My discernment is hindered by so many obstacles.  I want to be holy and happy but instead I feel empty and  without love.  I realize that everyone must suffer in their lives but why is it that I have to leave Salesian?  I am so happy there and I feel the spirit of St. John Bosco as I roam the hallways.  It seems as if no one cares about me except You.  I know that You are always here for me despite the various obstacles in my life.  I wish that You will take all my sorrows away and turn them into joys.  I have all this sadness inside of me and I want You to take it away from me.  My mother is stubborn and has a misconception of what love trully is.  She feels as if supporting me financially is love but I want a mother like the Blessed Mother.  This is why I took Mary as my mother.  You and Mary are my best friends.  I will miss the daily visits to the Eucharist at Salesian.  I will miss the advice from the priests.  I will miss the weekly masses and adoration once a month.  The Salesians have helped me so much with my faith.  I am with Don Bosco no matter what because he is helping me become a saint!  My senior year is probably going to be the toughest year of my life because I need to make the decision whether I will enter Salesian formation or not.  Before Sophomore year at Salesian I was just a Catholic by name but by the first day of religion class that all changed.  My teacher told me that my most important job in life is to save my soul.  So, I started reading more about You through the Saints and how they responded to Your call.  I took St. Dominic Savio as my guide and model.  Help me to continue serving You regardless of my daily struggles.  I really want to become a saint and I know that I can if I follow the ways of Don Bosco.  I love You so much God and I will do anything for You!   Help me to always keep the Serenity Prayer in mind.

Give me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change;

the courage to change the things that I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.

You are my everything and the reason why I live.  Let me always remember that and not despair because You will turn my sorrows into joy!

Your Son/Best Friend,

Vinny

Hope

My Mom told me that I probably will not be able to go to Salesian for my final year of high school.  I don’t know what to do or how to react.  I am really upset but I know that I must trust in God.  I feel as if Mary called me to go there as Fr. Pat said to me.  I also know God’s will has to be done no matter the circumstances.  I pray that His will is for me to continue going to Salesian.  I’m so happy there and I feel such an intense amount of God’s love as I roam the hallways.  This entire situation is out of my hands and in the hands of God.  I will trust in You Lord and I know that everything will work out in the end.  Mary, please don’t abandon me and I entrust this situation to you.  I love you Mother!  Mary Help of Christians pray for me.  St John Bosco pray for me.  St. Dominic Savio pray for me.

Another Year Finished!

Thank You Lord for helipng me to pass all my exams and regents.  I love You!  Thans to you too St. Thomas Aquinas for interceding for me.   My goal was to move up in the class rankings and I did.  I moved from number to ten to number nine in my class.  Junior year was rough but I pulled through and now I will be a senior and I’m so excited.  Senior year is a year where I can reflect on my vocation and I can make the final descision of where God is leading me.

Day 1: Purity

I’ve started this project.   Everyday I will focus on one aspect of my life where I need work.  Today’s aspect is purity and I’ve been doing well.  I kept my eyes pure and I have not stared at any women and had thoughts of lust.  St. Dominic Savio help me to stay pure not just for today but everyday of my life.

Love

     “Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.” -St. John of the Cross

Lord, there are so many times where I expect love to be an emotion.  However, this thought is a misconception of what love is.  In our society, the word “love” is tossed around without any consent of its true definition.  How many times do people express their feeling with the word love.  For example, “I love ice cream.”  True love is Christ and in order to be part of His love, one must deny himself in this world.  One must suffer and detach himself from people and objects.  One must except tribulations with an open heart like Christ did while suffering on the cross.  My dear Jesus, help me to detach myself from people and to accept things without losing my inner peace.  Help me to realize that things happen for a reason and that I should not try to convince people to be part of my life if they clearly do not intend to do so.  How hard it is to be detached but it helps me to somewhat realize how you felt on the Cross.  It helps me to contemplate how You were deatched from the world and were help on the cross by nothing more than three nails.  Help me to be like You in all that I do.  Help me to be a saint but first help me to be a man.  I want to love like You and always be in Your grace.  

“Detachment. How hard it is! Oh, to be fastened by nothing but three nails and to have no more feeling in my flesh than the Cross.” -St. Josemaria Escriva  

Junior Year

This school year is coming to a close and I pray that I do well on my regents and final exams.  Lord, You know how much I love you.  Help me to stay focused and to do the best that I can.   Mary Help of Christians pray for me.  St. Thomas Aquinas, I love you man!  I’m going to need your help so please pray extra hard for me buddy.  Love you!

You are the Best!

Thanks for all the graces you have given me Father!  I would be nowhere without Your love.  I am grateful for You allowing me the opportunity today.  Please keep me from falling into sin and free from any moral harm.  Mary Help of Christians pray for me and never abandon me!

I Love You!

Lord, thanks for helping me to avoid mortal sin and I cannot wait to recieve You in the Blessed Sacrament.  I love You always!

I love You so much!!!!

Lord,

I love you so much and I appreciate all the gifts and talents You have given me.  Help to always keep in mind that You are always with me and that You are my best friend.  You are my Shepherd and there is nothing I shall want.  Continue leading me to green pastures.  Love you Buddy!

Lord I Love You!

As I take the time to reflect, I realize how awesome You are Father!  I love you very much.  You are always here for me even in times of struggle.  This school year is almost finished and it marks the second year of my Salesian education.  How I appreciate You for allowing Mary to lead me to Salesian High School.  A lot of good things have happend to me and I am very grateful.  I am in charge of the school newspaper, got my class ring, and made it on the OLR Young Team.  Though You pour grace down upon me, help me to be humble and to always do my duties well.  I pray that I can earn the Silver Eagle next year and I put all trust in the Lord and place myself in the blessed care of Mary, Help of Christians.  Lord, Help me to finish this year strong and stay faithful to You no matter what happens.  The Lord is my Shepherd and there is nothing I shall want.  Yeah, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death I shall have no fear.  Mary, Help of Christians pray for me!  Never Abandon me Mother!