“The padre, that Father Gomez, he will be very happy that you have come back to those nuns,” the man behind the counter said.
“Why should he be happy?”
“He will say that it proves a religious thing.”
“What religious thing?”
“Faith. It is a word for what is unreasonable. If a man believes in an unreasonable thing, that is faith. It is not reasonable that you should come back to this place and work for nothing. Nobody believed it. You have come back.”
― The Lilies of the Field
The closing “Amen sequence” from the film Lilies of the Field (1963). The film was based on William Edmund Barrett’s novel of the same name which was inspired by his admiration for the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Walburga in Colorado.
The film is a classic, mixing humor and drama to tell the old true story of the invincible power of love of Man combined with love of God.
Go here to view the film on YouTube.
I saw this at the drive-in with my family in 1963. I was 14 and the oldest of–at that time–five siblings. The film was well-acted and winsome. Even the Jesuits at my prep school showed it at a film festival two tears later. Hard to imagine that happening today.
My wife, a cradler, was unaware of the film until she met me. It was in my small collection of vhs when we married. It has become our tradition to watch it together at least once a year when it comes on tv. I’ve loved it ever since seeing it at the movies when first released.
Speaking of Faith, I asked for prayers for an 8 year old boy who has severe lung infection and has been on a ventilator for over two weeks.
Today is the mother’s birthday.
The hospital wanted the mother to prepare herself to take the boy off the ventilator soon..that there was no hope. Below is a plea that I’ve been sending out to beg Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey for help;
[ We are praying for a full recovery. They tested his lungs today..first time off a ventilator in two weeks. Didn’t go as well as they hoped for.
Severe lung infection. Not Covid.
The mom, Michelle Thedder, and I have been going through Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey for a Christmas miracle. Mom isn’t Catholic yet, but I fully explained the way God is glorified by us utilizing His holy ones who lived on earth.
Fr.Casey was a humble man whom many received miracles from his petitions to God Almighty.
Now we continue to intercede and Pray that God will heal this boy through Blessed Solanus Casey.
She knelt down beside me as we prayed two days before Christmas, in front of Toms crucifix, and asked Blessed Solanus to intervene.
The hospital told her last week that they think she should let him go.
To stop the ventilator that’s keeping him alive.
Now, because of yesterday, they have renewed hope.
Please call on blessed Fr. Solanus Casey for this boy, Ethan.
Let’s help Michelle.
Btw…..today is Michelle’s birthday.]
Yesterday they saw some improvement in his lungs, hence they tested them without the ventilator.
He’s not out of the woods yet…but you can help.
Please ask Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey for help.
Thanks for any considerations.
Phil
Prayers on the way Philip!
Prayers for Ethan, Phillip. Doctors don’t always know. Prayers to Blessed Solanus Casey for Ethans recovery if it be His Will. Prayers for Michelle that God gives her strength during this difficult trial. And prayers to you and all who are supporting this family during Ethans illness. God Bless.
Thanks Ezabelle and Donald.
We must care for each other.
We must.
[And a sword will pierce your heart as well..]
The three weeks of prayers and petitions as well as ministry to Michelle, has brought me to a deeper understanding of these words to Our Lady of the presentation. We share in our neighbors grief and behold their pain. It’s our calling as God’s children.
Again. Thank you both.
Communal prayer is very strong. Praying for Ethan and his parents. Putting this request out to Rosary Tea gals and another prayer group on the NNK. Gal who received healing at Lourdes is is also praying for intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and Blessed Fr.
CAM.
Thank you.
I’ve been praying too. I (usually) remember petitional prayer requests during prayer time, but never think to pass that info along during my online time.
God bless you PINKY.
We pray not in vain. Our prayers for his health my not be the wishes of Our Father who knows the predestined and the trappings of the evil serpent, but with our limited vision and a Hope that is supernatural, we pray for him and his mom. Peace.
If it be God’s will may he fully recover.
Thanks everyone.