Dear John,

I’m a Catholic sister, a Franciscan of Oldenburg, Indiana. One of our ministries is prayer. We sisters pray—a lot! There are, of course, many reasons for us to pray. I would like to share a few of those reasons I found to pray just recently.

During the beginning of the pandemic, I was at our motherhouse in Oldenburg recovering from a knee operation on March 11, just one week before the pandemic was announced! Before that, my prayers were of gratitude that I was able to have the operation (which wouldn’t have been allowed since it's listed as elective surgery) during the pandemic.

As time progressed and I was released from rehab at the motherhouse, I continued my exercises and prayers at home. At the same time, employees at Franciscan Media were asked to work from home. My prayers turned to thanksgiving that we could continue our mission from home, but also to prayers of protection for all those who were afflicted with the virus.

My current prayers have two visuals: one is of the Blessed Mother spreading her cloak over all the earth as protection from the virus; the second one is a prayer to St. Thérèse, the Little Flower, to shower us with fragrant roses (some spots of joy, etc.) to families who are afflicted with the disease. I then pray also that others will continue to help elderly neighbors and others in need as best they can.

Our Franciscan Media efforts continue with messages of hope, joy, encouragement, and love to all of our readers, donors, and friends, to help support us during this time of uncertainty and need. We hope you can help us with any donation you can. You can be assured of our prayers of gratitude and protection for you! God bless you.

If you are able to, please consider giving a gift, or even a recurring gift, to Franciscan Media. Your donations are what make our daily messages possible. And, if you make a donation of $100 or more, you will receive a box of Trappistine Quality Candy fudge in the mail as a thank-you from Franciscan Media! (Only shipping within the United States, we apologize for any inconvenience.)

Thank you and God bless,

Sr. Rose Lima, OFM