Residents of St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud joined together to pray Day 4 of the Novena in honor of St. Cloud. Please join in praying with them via video message by clicking on the link below.
To read about the life of St. Cloud and for full text of the novena, visit http://stcdio.org/about/saint-cloud-saint/ .
LIFE OF ST. CLOUD (Lector)
GOD’S HEALING
GOD’S HEALING
GOD HEALS THOSE IN DISTRESS (All)
Stricken because of their wicked ways
and afflicted because of their sins
They loathed all manner of food,
so that they were near the gates of death.
They cried to the Lord in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them.
He sent forth his word to heal them
and to snatch them from destruction.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.
Let them make thank offerings
and declare his works with shouts of joy …
But he who pours out contempt upon princes,
and sends them astray through a trackless waste,
lifted up the needy out of misery
and made their families numerous like flocks.
The upright see this and rejoice,
and all wickedness closes its mouth. (Psalm 107:19-22, 41-42)
REFLECTION (Leader)
We are all called by baptism and confirmation to be healers. Many people in all walks of life cry out for healing. In one way or another, each of us suffers from the effects of sinfulness in the world. We are weak; often we stumble and sometimes lose our way. We are called like St. Cloud to practice a ministry of healing. The Church is not a safe harbor for the saved but a health center for all who are sick and weary and over-burdened. Everyone is called to practice the seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
JESUS SAYS: (Lector)
“Then the just will ask him: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we welcome you away from home or clothe you in your nakedness? When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?’ The king will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.”‘ (Mt 25-37-40)
LET US PRAY: (Leader)
Heavenly Father, we know our own faults and failures, our own weariness and weakness. Help us to be mindful that those around us are also wounded and suffering physical and spiritual pains. Following the example of St. Cloud, make us wounded healers so that by Your grace we will experience Your healing power in ·our own lives by our efforts in binding up the wounds in our families, our communities, our nation and our world. This we ask through Christ our Lord.
AMEN