Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus?
We continue our story about intercessions by Father McGivney. "More and more Catholics are turning to Blessed Michael McGivney for his heavenly aid since his beatification Oct. 31, 2020. The Father Michael J. McGivney Guild, established in 1997 to spread devotion and promote the cause for canonization, has seen significant growth and a marked increase in the number of favors, large and small, reported by those asking for Father McGivney’s intercession." This story is entitled: A Mystery Prayer by Brian Caulfield- the vice postulator of the cause for canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney"
"Where the prayer card came from she doesn’t know. But when Johanna Ireland changed her purse for the week, there it was: 'Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney.'
Not long before, she had heard a podcast episode about Father McGivney and the miraculous healing of an unborn child through his intercession. Although she had not heard of Father McGivney previously, Johanna took these two unexpected events as a sign from God. She began to recite the prayer she found in her purse for nine days, and then for another nine days. Two novenas, she figured, were better than one.
Her special intention was the health of her husband, Donald, who had been diagnosed with aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma — a rare malignant tumor of the sweat glands of the finger. This type of cancer can spread quickly to the lymph nodes, so she prayed fervently that it would be contained.
Johanna and Donald live in Calgary, Alberta. Johanna, a corporate flight attendant, is a lifelong faithful Catholic. Donald, retired from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was raised Christian but has fallen away from any formal religious practice. Yet, he is thankful for the loving prayers of his wife and others.
On Feb. 2, Donald’s cancer was surgically removed by amputation of part of his right index finger. The surgeon also took out some lymph nodes as a precaution and to test if the cancer had spread. To their great relief, the aggressive cancer had not spread beyond the portion of the amputated finger, and Donald has been declared cancer-free. He is back to playing golf and looking forward to more years of healthy retirement.
For Johanna, the experience has reaffirmed the power of prayer, especially intercessory prayer for others. 'I’m still praying the Father McGivney prayer the first nine days of every month,' she said. 'And I have shared it with my friends and family who have health issues.'
How the Blessed Michael McGivney prayer card wound up in her purse is still a mystery. Perhaps it came from one of her relatives who belongs to the Knights or someone at her parish. Whatever the case, she is sure of one thing: Her prayers were answered."
To find the link to our feature story - information on the Knights of Columbus can be found atIWKnights9981.com/bulletin or on facebook.com/IWknights9981 and NOW on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights.
Links Related to this week’s column:
A Friend in Times of Need Devotion to Father McGivney is growing — and so are reports of his intercessory help. By Brian Caulfield, Knights of Columbus' Columbia Magazine (7/1/2021)
Click here for Article
Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic A Novena which seeks Our Lady’s Intercession for Protection in Time of Pandemic By His Holiness, Pope Francis (3/2020) A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION IN TIME OF PANDEMIC (PDF Version) Click here for the Prayer
Rack-in-the-Back . . . . . . . .
Please shop our book and CD Rack-in-the-Back. Suggested Donation for the CD's is $3.00/title - books on the top shelf are FREE.
We would like to talk with you about becoming an IW Knight. Please visit us on-line at our web site at www.IWknights9981.com/AboutUs. Or call Rob Schultz at: (314) 973-2373.
