Giving Thanks for Answered Prayers

We always love hearing the wonderful things God has done in the lives of people who have prayed the novena in honor of Blessed Frassati's intercession.  This beautiful story was shared by Roseanne C.

"I love Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.  I said the Novena and went to Mass to thank him for helping my son get through having Pediatric Follicular Lymphoma at 17 and a Senior in high school.  I prayed to Pier Giorgio Frassati every day and I know he was with my son Kevin through all his suffering. 

Thank you Jesus and Pier Giorgio Frassati - my son is cured now and even though it might not be considered a miracle, I claim it in my heart as one.  My son was able to graduate high school (which was so amazing) and 5th in his class despite all he went through!  None of this could have happened without the intercession of Pier Giorgio Frassati. 

Today my son Kevin is a healthy 21 year old with a college degree and is waiting to hear if he will be a fire fighter in our town.  He received a 92 on the Fire Fighter Exam and is ranked very high also thanks to Pier Giorgio Frassati!  I know Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be at my son’s side for the rest of his life and that to me is Heaven on earth."

As Roseanne suggests, we tend to reserve the word "miracle" to describe cases of amazing physical cures like that of Kevin Becker (if you aren't yet familiar with Kevin's case, click here.)  But every prayer answered is like a miracle to the one who was praying.  How beautiful in this case that Kevin C. is going to now put his health at the service of others as a first responder - something that was very important to Blessed Frassati.

A moment in Pier Giorgio's life that moved him to tears of gratitude happened just before the death of his uncle.  He described it in a letter to his friend Antonio Severi. 

"Although unworthy, I was an instrument of Divine Providence, along with my good mother and the nun who lovingly cared for him, because I was able to get him to perform all his religious practices.  Believe me that when he received the Sacred Host tears of joy mixed with those of sorrow streamed down my face. 

As soon as he received the Host, our merciful God soothed his pain and afterward my uncle made us call the parish priest of the village to tell him about his satisfaction in having received the Blessed Sacrament."

"In His Infinite Mercy, God has surely not kept my innumerable sins in mind, but He has heard my prayers and the prayers of my family, and has given my uncle the great grace of receiving the last Sacraments while fully conscious."

How moving that, although dying, Pier Giorgio's uncle wanted to thank the parish priest for giving him the greatest of all gifts.  And how beautiful a bedside scene - Pier Giorgio with his mother and the nun who was the caregiver and the priest administering the Viaticum.  As in Roseanne's case, this may not seem like a miracle to others, but it was for Pier Giorgio.  It certainly was for his uncle.

Given that we bombard God's inbox every second of the day with our requests, we should find some way to offer prayers of gratitude for all the many ways He answers us.  Some people have a beautiful tradition of praying a novena in thanksgiving for prayers answered after finishing a novena of petitions.  Some light candles or offer Masses.  I have friends who are always letting out a "Thank you, Jesus!" as they go through the day.  (Warning: this type of attitude of gratitude can be contagious!)

Even if your prayers seem to be going unanswered, whisper a thank you or two to the Lord just for listening.  After all, we owe God everything and we can never thank Him enough. 

Verso l'alto!   ///cmw

P.S.  Don't forget to share your stories of prayers answered through the intercession of Blessed Frassati.  Miracles of all shapes and sizes are welcome here. :)