My niece Mary Elizabeth Kirby (18 months) knows the joy of letting go. This photo reminded me of a line from the lovely Prayer for the Heart of a Child of Father Léonce de Grandmaison.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
preserve in me the heart of a child,
pure and transparent as a spring.
I baptized both Mary and her brother Michael Colin (3 years old) in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Hampton, New Hampshire. This is not Mary's first appearance on Vultus Christi. You can be sure that it will not be her last.
Prayer for the Heart of a Child
by R. P. Léonce de Grandmaison, S.J.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
preserve in me the heart of a child,
pure and transparent as a spring.
Obtain for me a simple heart
That does not brood over sorrows;
A heart generous in giving itself,
Quick to feel compassion;
A faithful, generous heart
that forgets no favor
and holds no grudge.
Give me a humble, gentle heart
Loving without asking any return;
A great indomitable heart
That no ingratitude can close,
No indifference can weary;
A heart tortured by its desire
for the glory of Jesus Christ:
Pierced by His love
With a wound that will heal
only in heaven.
His Excellency, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, offering thanksgiving, intercession, and reparation for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. In this way, Father is preparing the foundation of the new Diocesan Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Father Mark is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental support in their pursuit of holiness. He is also charged with the spiritual formation of women who desire to dedicate themselves to spiritual motherhood in favour of priests.
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