#This has become a chronic illness fr fr fr

[shuuen-no-cimory]

Also of course, it ain't me if I don't crossover my current hyperfixation with my ultimate current hyperfixation. So... Degrees of Lewdity x ProjectMoon! (This post is full of me yapping as I explain each drawing, so I guess, be ready?)

First, I'll go hard with Whitney as R Corp. 4th Rabbit Team. The initial idea was that he reminds me so much of RHeath LMAO But eventually I love the idea because I think he'd go along with Myo well. Plus... Somehow imagining Whitney in Rabbit Team Hatchery shenanigans seems... Interesting.

Next is Eden. If anyone notice, I originally designed him based of 2 Abnos: Der Freischutz and Big Bird. Der Frei was, of course, a nod to his title as a Hunter, and a marksman as well. For Big Bird... Yeah definitely there's the Big Bird in DoL, yet I think temperance-wise, Eden does felt similar to Big Bird. A creature living in a forest, thinking they protect others by doing the action that definitely doesn't seems to be out of protection. As for RRH, oh think about this: Being hunted down while getting marked. One by a hunter, and another by a wolf. Oh isn't it just reminds me of something...? Right

Funny enough, before I designed the school LIs properly, I reimagined them as The City's feathers. "If they're living in the City and has to work with one Wing, which one they'll work on?" I've talked about R. Corp Whitney earlier so I'll talk about the others! Robin, L Corp. - I can imagine him with the pressing needs to survive under the weight of Bailey's rent ends up either being sent or signed himself up as an agent for L Corp. The Wing doesn't ask that much requirement as per Hokmah's story while the agent supposed to have a great pay (being a wing and all). Hence, I think he might work for L Corp. Sydney, K Corp. - The idea was that after graduating, Sydney might follow Sirris path in science. Being the obedient child she is (as we sees on the game before they get corrupted), she probably choose to do what Sirris might do hence her as K Corp. researcher. Oh anyway, truly this is just a fyi that doesn't seems to be related to anything, I reimagined Harper as Dongrang in this scenario, with the whole Teary-Thing problem exist. Oh, lucky enough for Sydney to help producing K Ampule that definitely just as seen in the canon Limbus story. Just saying. Kylar, W Corp. - This one actually a rather fun idea. This is set with the idea that Kylar work as the Clean Up Member, with parents that's definitely unaware with how their child work but nevertheless proud with him. They'd even use WARP Train solely to be sent off by Kylar each time, much to Kylar silent dismay. If only they know what Kylar has to clean up among the 6 seconds they went into the train... Read one of the reblog tag and yeah. It has to do with Love Town. And pretty much how Kylar had to regularly assemble his parents again and again each trip they made.

LCB! SYDNEY LET'S GOOOO!!!! This idea came as I made my LCB-esque ID Card for Sydney. The idea of LCB Sydney's background was that it's pretty much what happened in the game, but make it The City-esque and seen from Sydney's eyes. It's fun imagining her as a Dieci Fixer who was caught in a complicated issue which she rather dip out from as she hasn't fully grow the backbone to face it yet. Oh right, in this AU I reimagined Ivory as Abnormality and both Sydney and Kylar got their EGO. Sydney got their Longing Phase EGO (HE, Gloom) while Kylar got the Haunting Phase EGO (WAW, Wrath). I actually had a draft of how the EGO works and its gimmick but let's talk it later on lol

When Yield My Flesh event is up on Limbus, my head doing the funny by thinking, "Damn... Jun Wren sounds cool..." then I remember Tingtang exist like jfgdjfgbjd HE FITS BETTER AS TINGTANG WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT IT ON A SIDE NOTE, I also had the thought on how Bailey MIGHT kills it as either a Kurokumo or a Middle. After all, Middle never forget... Just like how Bailey never forget your rent LOL

And last but not least: Sydney and Robin as L Corp. Agent! Robin will be a high Temperance agent which work for Safety Team, while Sydney is the high Fortitude, high Prudence Disciplinary Team Captain. Oh, if you do notice: I made Sydney's cross looks like Penitence EGO Weapon. It's actually based of this idea of how One Sin and WhiteNight's dynamic thematically fits Sydney the Faithful and Sydney the Fallen. The name of both Abnos' EGO Set-- "Penitence" and "Paradise Lost" respectively, both fits the image of each Sydneys. Hence, I draw them in both EGO Sets!

[daylightdelirium]

daylight. buddy. give me sick atsushi headcanons. please. (I'm writing a sskk sickfic and I want your input. also. how do you think he'd interact with akutagawa while he's sick.) RAAAH TY

- 🌷

OHOHOHOHO yes hello I would be happy to share my brainrot with you

He gets food poisoning like, all the time. Based on that one wan episode, he never wants to waste food due to food insecurity issues so he always ends up eating old things regardless of if it'll make him sick

He usually recovers from illnesses pretty fast because of the whole tiger healing thing, but the short period usually hits him pretty hard

For example, he might only have a fever for like, a day, but it'll be crazy high and he'll be sweating and crying and hallucinating the whole day

Chronic pain king always gets really sore and achey when he's sick. Fevers always make his scars extra sensitive and its hard for him to find a comfortable position laying down 💔

He gets really hot and uncomfortable with fevers too, and any fabric against his skin makes him crazy. Especially with his scars being sensitive just wearing a shirt will feel gross and itchy

He gets stress induced illnesses a lot, especially low grade fevers and migraines (just like me fr). Migraines are really frequent for him since he has enhanced hearing, so auditory overstimulation can be really painful

He also throws up all the time just out of anxiety. Its something he's always done, so he doesnt really think much of it. Constant anxiety tummy ache representation ☝️

With aku its very give or take, it really just depends on the severity of the situation to decide how he'll act

Pre relationship/platonically/rival foe-yay whatever Akutagawa will definitely go the pretend-to-not-care-but-help-through-subtle-actions route, insulting him for being weak while simultaneously bringing him water

Established relationship aku is kind of hot-and-cold with him. I've talked about it before but I think with any non-serious illness he'll act really exasperated and make fun of him

With serious illnesses he gets crazy soft. Distressed weretiger absolutely melts him. He pulls out those old-fashioned petnames and is totally bent to his will. He becomes a housewife in an instant and does literally anything he can to make him feel more comfortable

The moment atsushi is better though he'll pretend like it never happened

Atsushi's always really anxious about letting Akutagawa take care of him, since he knows it'd be 10 times worse for him if he caught it. Sometimes he tries to hide from him (in which case aku will just break into his dorm. There is no escaping him)

[ultimateloserboy]

ok you know what im gonna say it with my full chest. literally nobody talks about bendy (the character) like who he actually is and ive been tired of it since the old game ended. i think hes genuinely one of the most incorrectly fanonized characters like ever at this point. and i genuinely believe it changed the actual canon and it bothers me a lot.

as for the physical version of him/ the ink demon— in the original batim game there was literally a whole plot point about bendy being non-human and how he came out of the machine physically and mentally sloppy compared to the other creations. hes not a fully fledged-out person and that’s LITERALLY an entire section of the original game. he has no human soul or mind, hes sentient but about as much as a gorilla. he attacks like a zombie or an animal with instinct and not like an angry human being. he cant speak because his mouth is fake and he cant walk properly because his limbs are liquid sludge— hes literally an abomination— a mockery of actual human life. its crazy to even call him the “villain” of the story because he doesnt have the thinking ability to genuinely be malicious. its like calling zombies the villains of zombie movies, they cant be because they dont have the brain function to be.

a lot of people ignored the obvious fact that he isnt human-like so they could sexualize him, which isnt as bad as sexualizing an actual animal— im not claiming that— but what bothers me is how the creators made him MORE HUMAN to lean towards these people and ill never think otherwise. yall can argue with me or call me chronically online, but bendy WASNT able to speak or was human-like at all until the dark revival, which was so obviously fan service its not even funny.

im not claiming that people who sexualize bendy are zoos or something— thats too far. what im claiming tho is that this genuinely interesting character was given consciousness and the ability to speak after previously not ever having those things JUST so booktok ass teenagers could swoon over him like they do venom, taking away the interest of his original character. he wasnt fully sentient until it made money for the creators and then suddenly hes speaking poetry in a deep sexy man voice with a fucking 8 pack. how does that not bother anyone? im not even trying to say its morally weird— im just saying its bad writing in general!!! like why do yall let these games ruin characters for fan service and not even give a fuck, and then have the balls to ask why newer ones are so poorly written?? no fucking shot EVERY one of yall was ok with them retconning his entire existence like HES THE MAIN CHARACTER???? DO YALL REALLY WANNA SEXUALIZE EVERYTHING //THAT// BAD TO THE POINT ITS OK TO REWRITE THE ENTIRE MAIN CHARACTER AS LONG AS IT MEANS YOU CAN FINALLY SEXUALIZE HIM CANONICALLY??????

and before people say anything— no i dont think its wrong for bendy to develop a voice or to become more human over time— BUT COME ON DUDE ARE YALL DENSE?? IVE SEEN LESS FAN-SERVICE STARING AT MY GOD DAMN AIR CONDITIONER!!!! they didnt “develop” bendy more— they retconned him to please freaks online!!! surely ONE of yall had to have noticed like… when tdr dropped the sexualization was so bad i genuinely didnt have fun with the series anymore. and I CANT because its justified now! the creators retconned him to be more sexyman so now you cant even argue against it!! literally why cant we have ONE thing online without people wanting to pound every single fucking character??

im sorry if this sounds mean but ive been upset about this for YEARS!! bendy was my favorite character as a kid and NOBODY gives him justice NOT EVEN HIS OWN CREATORS. it would be one thing if there was just a small portion that treated him like this but now its literally everyone and the games lean into it and i just want to explode and die at this point fr.

it genuinely makes me a little ill knowing he was once just a confused, soulless being fighting and killing out of the confusion, rage and fear that his cruel existence caused him to feel, but now hes just a deep voiced venom-ripoff villain whose just a big meanie and hunts you for sport or some stupid shit.

[medali-meltdown]

🌻Brassius headcanons🌻 (companion post to this one, now with added imagery (a single screenshot but so worth it))

-In his mid-40s but refuses to accept it, which manifests in ways such as: pulling all-nighters like a young student, skipping/forgetting meals, continuing to make an impression on gym challengers by leaping from the tops of windmills, roofs, whatever's convenient. Any of these habits could break his fragile body. Speaking of which...

-He started doing the wild leaps in school as a cool stunt and way to show off and be memorable, but he has a private reason also — it's his way of defying death and mocking his illness. By gods he's going to live and not only that, he's going to do it in the most avant-garde way.

-tbh I haven't pinpointed exactly what is his chronic illness. Asthma? Hey wouldn't it be ironic if he has a severe pollen allergy while loving and being surrounded by plant pokemon? (just like me fr) Also I'm still on the idea a friend told me of him describing his symptoms as thorny vines in his lungs (which could be his creative way of describing a common asthma attack, and of course he styles his hair in the same manner because he's just Like That).

-Nature and the turns of seasons are his religion. He dabbled in paganism in his younger days. Found the modern practices too commercialized, but keeps it in his heart, in private.†

-Super pretty when he was younger. Wore his hair long, and with it being so thick and wavy, it cascaded about his (fuller, more lively) face and slender neck, even when he had it pulled into a ponytail. Stormy grey eyes always in deep contemplation of Art. Elegant ways of moving and speaking, radiating beauty with every step and word... honey what happened.

-(Nothing, it's all still there if you know what to look for and Hassel sure does, he is an expert on beauty, after all!)

-Hassel 💗💗 What a long, complex history he has with Hassel. They were good friends as students long ago, both being in arts & music classes. Brassius looked up to the multi-talented Hass from day one, always inspired by him and his bravery. Of course he fell in love with his muse, but for one reason or another, they never could quite be together, at least for very long. It might take Hassel until the present to reconcile his feelings, but will it be too late? (please I have a whole fic I want to write about this, of course I love them being Extremely Married but consider this: 20 years' worth of Mutual Gay Pining and the angst what follows)

-Just like born musician Hassel has some art in him, natural artist Brassius has some form of musical talent. After all, he's the Verdant Virtuoso — a term that skews toward musicians. I like to think he's got a good singing voice.* Belts out tunes while he's in the Art Zone. In perfect Spanish Paldean because he's bilingual.

-Whenever the mood strikes him (rarely, anymore), this guy can get a little kinky. He may carry a rope to help him climb high for tall sculptures (I guess???), but it also comes in handy for tying up unruly dragons~

-He's had many more partners in the past than Hassel has, and therefore a lot of practice. Not so much these days, however. His art, gym, and health come first.

-The Surrendering Sunflora Story: it's easy to tell that Brassius, at the beginning of his art career, let his personal vision suffer because he was focused on being more of a content creator, gaming that algorithm in endless pursuit of fame, fans, and money. The stress got to him, making his illness flare up to near-fatal levels. Was there anything else stressing him out at the time? Was he battling debilitating depression as well? Because he was prepared to die from it all — whether or not his debut work succeeded. And then Hassel appeared. "It was then I met Hass." So they must have become friends a little later in their student lives? Out of nowhere comes Hassel to remind Brassius of the meaning of Art, and that saves his life. Where's that meme picture of the creature holding onto a wall and going i think i need a moment wait

-It's p much universally accepted that Brassius gave Hassel the Applin that would evolve into the latter's Flapple. I think Brassie did so after the Surrendering Sunflora exhibition was complete to express his feelings. Unfortunately, Hassel, not being from this part of the world and unfamiliar with nearby Galar's customs, thinks it's simply a friendly gesture of appreciation. Hang in there, Brassie ❤️‍🩹

-Maybe once Hass figures it out he'll give Brassius a Dipplin in return. "There are two bodies sharing one sweet home! It's more symbolic than the Applin, right? Surely they know this in Galar...?" "No, Hass, Dipplin's apple is only found in a region that's very far away, so it doesn't have that kind of meaning..." "🥺🥺😭 B-BUT IT'S USSSS"

†Meta: isn't the Pokemon world inherently pagan? I know we like to throw around the name of Arceus and/or Mew as though they are God, but... they're not really? Do not let me get theological on this post about my grass blorbo hfhfhsh

*Look, his deep, deep Japanese voice did things to me, and learning that seiyuu Nakai Kazuya voiced Mugen of all people (and some other guys I guess, Zoro if you go there) amuses me to no end hhhn

[sassypotatoe1]

Every day I curse the knowledge of the existence of a particular skin disorder because my ocd is mostly manageable, unless it comes to pests, skin irregularities and illnesses, and this particular disorder (that I will not name because I don't want others to deal with the same intrusive thoughts I have about it and I ask nicely that no one try to guess what it is please) has all 3.

Imagine picking the fuck out of bumps because it's one, a bump and we can't have that oh no, two, possibly caused by a parasite and three, infestation can cause serious health complications, and the compulsive behaviors that can come with that when your compulsions are triggered by all three of those categories. The thing is, right, good hygiene, topical steroids and a halfway decent immune system can completely eradicate an infestation. People affected are people who are immunocompromised with poor hygiene and diet, and no access to the very basic medication used to treat this disorder.

I don't fall in that category I have topical steroids for my eczema, which I don't use because long term use can have a rebound effect, I have access to ivermectin and someone authorized to administer it available, I have good hygiene, excellent hygiene actually I wash my hands with the surgeon method, and my immune system is actually halfway decent. I have had no exposure to the parasite, no one in my life has or have symptoms, and so it's incredibly unlikely that the rash I currently have is that disorder.

The most likely culprit is the medication I started recently for my chronic pain which I could be allergic to, or less likely but somehow more fitting lichen planus, which is maybe an autoimmune disease, definitely can be triggered by nsaids which my new meds fall under, and is described and pictured exactly like the rash I have, which does not look like the rash for the disorder my ocd is trying desperately to convince me that I actually have.

By all accounts, knowing this should stop the intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Both are incredibly easy to treat, for one I get a small dose of ivermectin and use the topical steroid for the rash, for the other I switch the pain meds to something else, neither are life threatening situations. Still, my ocd is fighting tooth and nail to convince me that it is the first and that it will kill me with sepsis, and the related compulsions are actually harmful to my health.

This is the reality of ocd, especially mild ocd that can fly under the radar. It's not liking things to be clean, it's washing your hands with undiluted bleach and a pumice stone because you've become convinced that a minor rash is a parasitic infestation, and the only reason you even know about it is that a guy once talked about having an infestation in the past and what it was like.

Can it look like washing your hands obsessively is just being a germaphobe? Yeah, and a lot of the time people with ocd can't articulate why they do it, or don't want to because "I'm a bit of a germaphobe" is easier to communicate and better received than "I'm scared there's tiny parasites poisoning me through my skin and I have to wash off all of them right the fuck now or I will die".

It's not easy to live with, especially considering that life is full of pests and disease and rashes and skin irregularities can occur for any reason, and being highly logical and reasonable about them doesn't translate to being able to avoid the compulsions, because the part of my brain going "you do not have a parasite it's just a benign idiopathic skin rash" is not the part of it that's going "scour your hands actually burn the skin off we have to kill the little fuckers before they kill us" and the second part is louder and more instinctive.

I can stop compulsions, I can stop intrusive thoughts to some degree, but it's like trying to drive a car on a busy highway with the passenger screaming at you that you're going to crash at every action you take. You can ignore it, stop yourself from jumping and causing an accident, but sometimes the passenger yanks on the wheel trying to avoid an imaginary oncoming vehicle and you end up in a ditch. This rash is making my passenger yank on the wheel, and if I'm not careful I'll turn a minor swerve into a major pileup.

[butchnavi]

missing waking up and going thru ur blog like the morning newspaper 😓 u fr meant it when u said u don't like Tumblr that much anymore

NOOOOOOOOO my college friend group gc has just become really fucking active and college has been piling on the workload like crazy is all so most of my internet time + brainrot has been going there for the past few weeks lmao. ill be back to my scheduled chronically on tumblr shitposting so soon i promise

[mercymariam]

Silly cat photos :3

Now that I have got your attention, I want you to read this post, reblog, share, like and do as much as you can, if you're able to donate, then that will be amazing

Right now as we all know, people in G-strip and in 🍉 in general are in pain from everything israhell has put them through, they don't deserve to go through this because they're innocent people and have done no wrong, mohiy is no exception ( @mohiy-gaza ).

He is a 23 year old man with dreams to work and travel and to become like any 23 year old, but sadly this war has destroyed all his dreams and taken a large part of his family, he is going through a lot and they're all suffering from malnutrition and his mother is suffering for chronic illness, there is barely any clean water and food and they're all suffering with no one to defend them, this isn't a war anymore, it's a GENOCIDE!

Please donate to Mohi if you can, he needs our help and I know we can do it!

This is vetted by: @90-ghost

[metal-lobster]

TIME SENSITIVE! Help Rėlli escape Texas!

This gofundme is not mine, I am just reposting it.

If anyone has the means to donate I suggest doing so. From the gofundme:

“Hi, My name is Rėlli. I am a disabled trans person trapped in Texas that has been cut off from medical care and is becoming less safe by the day just being trans in this hellpit of a state. My current living situation has me trapped where abusive family has unrestricted access to me… I am on an extremely limited time frame. I have to get out of Texas before the end of March or my moving costs will rise dramatically and I will lose access to what few services I have access to… I have managed to get ahold of the majority of funding I need to move and secure a year of housing, but as of now I am $6k short of what I need for just housing, moving and basic survival. I am trans, autistic, physically disabled and chronically ill. I do not believe I can survive in Texas much longer and I am desperate. I hate asking for help, even more so asking for this much help, so I wouldn’t be asking if I felt I had any other options.”

[creepycrawliesinyourwalls]

rambling; online diary

i truely believe i can do heroin and not be addicted. i've been on dilaudid before, ive gotten high off my ass on weed, i took some vyvanse to see how itd go, and ultimately it was boring. being high is kinda boring. i complain about not having my cart, sure. but being so fr rn i do it for show. no one would ever believe me in a million years, but it is genuinely for show.

i have a hard time defining myself as a person, given the disorders i have. anything and everything that i could add to myself to humanize myself is a positive, never a negative. humanity is by definition flawed and faulty, if i have a flaw im more easily humanized.

im also incapable of being perfect, though if i wasn't abused to the point of my brain never fully forming a cohesive personality, i'm sure id be a prodigy. if my brain genetically disabled, i'd be top of my class, 4.0 gpa with honors.

with dissociative identity disorder, autism, adhd, bipolar 1, ptsd, clinical depression, arfid, and probably some sort of personality disorder, its hard to care about anything at all. these are only the mental and neurological disorders and defects, too.

inherently i was given the worst hand i could have gotten in birth. my potential is wasted, trapped inside this failure of a body. i could have been so much more. my face is somewhat conventionally attractive, so theres a win.

im confident that without my memory issues, joint pain, and depression i could be a full blown doctor. i have to settle for marketing, because my gpa currently is too low to get into engineering. i wanted to do mathematics for awhile to get into finance or something. i wanted to do geology bc my special interest is rocks, but i don't want to work for an oil company.

if i am not constantly improving with my life in any aspects, if i am stagnant for a stretch of time, i consider it a failure.

i do not have a personality, at least nothing coherent and consistent. some people say im loud, some say im shy. sweet, mean, smart, dumb, its all contradictory traits.

i consider myself better then most of the people i choose to be friends with. a good lot of them (danny, chloe, viktor) will probably never go to college. kaden might go, but im sure she'd just party the whole time. alix is maybe the only one who i'd even consider on my level, since he's aiming for law and finds debates enjoyable. he has the drive and determination to do well in life, and is at the very least takes steps to get where he wanted to get.

chloe wanted to get into medicine and be a doctor. she is chronically disabled and was failing half of he classes. from disabled to disabled person, there is no way in hell you are making it that far. id be surprised if she made it past 25, honestly. she viewed mental hospitals as a vacation, even excluding the morals on that view, its incorrect. she believed she wasn't addicted to her medication, and that it actually helped her. she never even tried.

i am beginning to become fond of alix, though. i hope my headmates realize how much better his is compared to others. taylor and vee are already fond of him, which is a good sign.

we seem to be improving our depression symptoms and dissociative amnesia, and we joined a cbt program to further along process after being voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility. (yes, we did ask to go. we were going to kill ourselves as soon as we were alone, we needed immediate help.) i want to work on breaking down our gatekeepers resolve, and get us to a place where we can work on final fusion. i would also like to address our npd traits, but our therapist wouldnt believe us, so ill have to work on that myself.

we haven't been practicing our religion as much as we used too, its kind of sad. we send a prayer up to apollo occasionally, and he usually answers. but otherwise we havent done any spell work. its sucks to admit it, and god to i want to delete this paragraph but i need to work on vulnerability to create and foster friendships that are mutually beneficial.

ive never seen the point of online friends, i think the concept is pointless. i've tried doing it, and everytime we ended up ghosting them. the effort did not match the spoils. if im going to have friends, i need them to invest in me before i invest in them. it can be materially, emotionally, or physically. as long as i gain benefits, you will too.

[bylagunabay]

Unseen Warfare

THE ANGELUS PRAYER FREES US FROM DEMONS

(5-min read; Angelus Prayer in English & Latin included)

Father Chad Ripperger, PhD, SMD, cofounded a religious society of exorcists known as the Doloran Fathers. One time, Fr. Ripperger and the Doloran Fathers noticed the amazing power of the Angelus Prayer to reduce the power of demons, even self-liberation from possession. They observed that demonic influence on people who prayed the Angelus three times a day was stopped cold or severely mitigated almost immediately.

A CURE FROM EXORCISTS

According to Father Ripperger, a world-renowned exorcist, praying the traditional Angelus Prayer at 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm will quickly free you from demonic influence, deeply-rooted sin, and even mental illness.

As Father Ripperger asserts, "It really cleans out the demons." Almost everyone who faithfully prayed the Three Angeluses was able to overcome deep-seated sin within months.

Some people were also delivered from chronic financial problems, mysterious untreatable illnesses, and mental disorders (which can indeed be caused by evil spirits in certain instances).

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Father calls this practice of praying the Angelus regularly an "elemental spiritual discipline." Elemental because it is simple. Spiritual because it is the application of a traditional prayer of the Church. Discipline, in this case, because it requires submitting to a rigid daily schedule. Protection comes from consistent, daily self-denial.

Father Ripperger: “Living a normal Catholic life gets rid of almost all demonic activity!"

WHY IT WORKS

Exorcists are starting to notice that most liberations today revolve around two doctrines: either the Incarnation or the Passion.

They also noticed that the common element in people who were diabolically oppressed was a fundamental weakness in prayer life. Prayer life needs to be sacrificial. Not just when you feel like it. Rising regularly at six to make the prayer day after day causes the diabolical to vacate.

ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS

You have prayed the Lord's Prayer all your life. Through the Three Angelus devotion, your heavenly Father is going honor your request to "deliver us from evil."

Prepare to be in awe. Your entire future is poised to improve dramatically.

During the first few days, some—but not all—people may experience an odd interior or external resistance. This is not uncommon in spiritual warfare, so remain steadfast.

You may fall back to sleep at 6 am before finishing the prayers—or your alarm may mysteriously fail to go off. You might be strangely distracted or interrupted in odd ways while praying this brief devotion.

If you neglect to offer an Angelus precisely on the hour by accident, or if it is otherwise impossible, simply pray or finish an Angelus as soon as you remember or are able.

Consider inviting a close friend, spouse, or loved one to join you. The Angelus has been both an individual and a group prayer for centuries. You can even pray it with Catholic friends during phone calls.

Whether you have to read the Angelus at first or already know it by heart, look forward to raising your heart to heaven multiple times a day!

And remember, you are never praying alone—hundreds of millions of Catholics worldwide are praying at noon in every time zone.

DECADES OF STRUGGLE—GONE!

The first effect you will experience is a diminishment of your impulse to commit certain mortal and venial sins you may have struggled to overcome for years or decades.

That diablolical "push," which you may have misattributed as solely your own defect, will almost always disappear.

Simultaneously, your capacity to recognize circumstances that foster temptation will improve. These "near occasions of sin" will become much easier to avoid. Your disordered emotional reactions to temptation will diminish significantly or disappear altogether.

We have received numerous testimonies from people confirming that a "dark cloud" or an ongoing interior experience of "oppression" has been lifted.

In some cases, the Doloran Fathers have witnessed the alleviation of mysterious physical illnesses, mental illnesses (including bi-polar disorder), and even financial hardships.

Source: catholicity.com

THE ANGELUS PRAYER (ENGLISH)

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace,

The Lord is with Thee;

Blessed art thou among women,

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary. . .

V. And the Word was made flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary. . .

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

THE ANGELUS PRAYER (LATIN)

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae.

R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

Ave Maria, gratia plena; Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

V. Ecce ancilla Domini,

R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

Ave Maria. . .

V. Et Verbum caro factum est,

R. Et habitavit in nobis.

Ave Maria. . .

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix,

R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

[idyllic-affections]

🌻 local sunflower forgets they are chronically ill and get surprised when they suddenly feel like shit for days in a row. nothing new. i was sitting on my bed and thinking why i am feelings soo bad and then it hit me. anyway

cultural hcs... yk i am very excited for snezhnaya cuz i am slavic myself and to see any kind of representation is!!! omg!!! a little scared tho but GAHSGHFH but it made me want to write something, probably with my miss alchemist, focused on like... snezhnaya. holidays. how people live. things like this. daily life of snezhnayans and stuff and the idea is sooo cozy and yum. i dont myself have much cultural hcs but i think there should be more of them, especially if people base them off their own experience because its just... so human. to put a part of urself wherever ure in. we should do more human things without shame

(on a side note, ive read both parts of achilles heel and i WILL be reblogging them soon. the next time i go and queue all my bookmarked posts AASGHHDGF but i already have to say, i loved them so much and i love dadlone. thats my guy.)

me and my anons and moots being chronically ill together fr....... i hope you feel even a little bit better soon though. i hope your pain becomes a bit more manageable. <3333 can relate though. i never learn my lesson. i feel good one day and overdo it and then i feel awful the next day

UNDERSTANDABLE i am biracial. latino and white descent specifically, and if you listen to natlan's theme, it has very... latino sounds to it. which scares me and excites me! is it too delulu to think that maybe we'll get a hair texture other than really straight or mildly wavy.... i think that is WAYYY too delulu of me to hope for, but i can hope. my hair texture is very thick and curly and i never see my specific hair type represented in popular media, which is sad, but it is what it is tbh. but you really are so right. i wish fans of... any media ever weren't afraid to insert themselves into the universe they enjoy. it is such an honest human experience to seek connection and representation. but people are soo afraid to do it for some reason? i personally think it is so beautiful to want to insert yourself into something you enjoy. it is such a human desire. i love it sm.

also AKDJHFDGFH take your time!!! those posts won't be going anywhere, i just like to advertise them a lot bc i am super proud of them <3

[juuls]

Pharmacist/Me = 1 🏆 Doctor/Nursing Staff = 0

Thank you in advance for reading this rant. I’ve been really frustrated and just needed to get this off my chest, and today at least I had a wonderful knight in a white lab coat. 🩺❤️‍🩹🥽🥼💪🏻

Content warnings and squicky squicks: (further down there is) an image of a medical vial with a clipped image of a more benign part of a syringe, health conditions (endometriosis, fibromyalgia), menstrual cycles and associated terms such as bleeding and other things, lack of empathy in my specific healthcare system, hysterectomies, pain, swearing and losing patience. Most important warning: self-administered syringes and injection discussions of legal medications (Depo-Provera) approved of by professionals and properly researched. P.S. this may sound rather Karen-like but I would never do this to someone’s face. Online ranting and acknowledging where I could do better is not the same as screaming in public for bossy requests or comps, etc. Ew.

Another ‘warning’… pharmacists being kick-ass allies and giving a damn about their patients.

I’m really annoyed because (and I know healthcare and scheduling is a clusterfuck right now, but…) for over a month now I’ve been trying to get an appointment in person to get this injectable medication that is, yes, birth control, but is also used for endometriosis in my case. And I have severe endometriosis (exacerbated severely by fibromyalgia, siiiiigh) to the point I bleed enough and lose so much I have to go to the hospital when my care is not properly preventative… like in this case, and the pain is unbelievably severe also to the point I’ve spent time in the hospital, including my 11th Christmas Eve and Day. I started this injectable medication at 13 because it was the only thing that came close to helping reduce my endometrial tissue. Even a hysterectomy wouldn’t help as much, unless they decided to go the super invasive route and remove all the organs (or parts of them) that had become ‘infected’ by the tissue. Again, tissue where it’s not supposed to be, and it causes extreme pain as the tissue tries to flush out of my body each period, even if it’s attached to, like, my pancreas. Just no. That does not work at all. No. That is not fun.

SO. I’m 31, nearing 32, and the doctor’s office knows this. I’ve had the same doctor since I was 10. Been on this medication nearly non-stop for just shy of two decades (with appropriate precautions such as bone density tests) because of the absolute severity of the pain and my inability to function when it hits… which can be months at a time of non-stop bleeding and morning sickness-level nausea and vomiting, migraines and the occasional complete inability to move—in other words, it’s debilitating.

My doctor (even the nurses, as it’s in large print at the top of my file in the system) knows all about this. They’re supposed to call me if I’m overdue by a certain margin (I get they’re busy but months and months???). But my doc’s also a bit of an airhead (albeit a smart one when he focuses) and takes forever to reply to anything on time, even when it’s a severe issue, but not severe enough to go to the hospital. But it’s gotten to the point where the nurses say to go to the ER and then the ER nurses and doctors there get SUPER pissed off (AT ME AND SOMEHOW NOT AT MY DOCTOR/NURSES AND THEIR ORDERS) at the ‘waste of time’, and it’s just a clusterfuck.

Oh yeah, and that ER visit while I was overdue for my injection? Internal intestinal bleeding along with a lovely, even if small, perforation in my fucking uterus from the growth of endometrial tissue. I MEAN COME ON — WHAT IN THE HELL. Totally preventable if they fit me in when I called literally over a month ago.

But I will not change my doctor (the other docs at the practice know what is going on and have offered to take me on, but they don’t have the experience with myself and my conditions or the history, but they can do little else because of professional conduct—it’s between myself and my doc) because he is the only one who treats me with humanity and understands fibromyalgia, endometriosis, pre-MS and pre-RhA/PsA, endo-related IBS, (ulcerative) colitis, and other neurological conditions with any degree of empathy. (See, I told you I’m a mess!) There is no way I’m switching offices in the perpetual shortage of doctors in Canada moving elsewhere for m o n e y (plus Covid-19 being a teen hooligan and constantly coming back to wreck more goddamn shit, including everyone’s sanity, then setting things on fire like the real hooligans in my village have been doing this summer — I mean… what in the hell!?!?), so with all that in mind I actually thank my lucky stars. So I put up with a lot of this shit because he treats me, besides him being an airhead, like an actual human being deserving of compassion and care and quality of life despite my severe disabilities and pain. So.

I’m usually treated really well (even if they often think I’m a nuisance for daring to be severely chronically ill/in pain all the time) so I try to be patient and good and understanding when I can.

But his STAFF (I know they’re busy and I’ve been patient but they’ve been so awful honestly to the point I cried hard enough my dad noticed my red eyes and frustration-tear fracks on my face)! And the doc himself’s inability to reply to notes on time even when urgent and when he knows the circumstances (I admit I am a bit of a hard patient so I can understand if he just kinda ignores me sometimes, honestly). But in this case I was THREE DAMN MONTHS LATE for my injection and they’ve always called in the past when I was coming due if it looked like I hadn’t scheduled an injection, so that I was all on time and squared away and didn’t risk severe pain and damage to my already-fucked hormonal system (learning I couldn’t have kids was absolutely heartbreaking, let me tell you, but even a hysterectomy in that case would solve nothing — this is by far the easiest option, especially considering how my fibromyalgia would fuck with my post-surgery recovery and leave me with lasting pain for years if not decades; sigh).

Anyway. So. After some ridiculous levels of back and forth and some truly remarkable levels of lack of compassion (she kept giving me the exact same, word for word response in a bored tone UGH) considering the severe pain I was in (I was told, in front of OTHER PATIENTS AND STAFF, that I could just wait until I talk to the doctor myself at my next phone appointment and then schedule my injection for my next MONTHLY followup — 4.5 months overdue at that point, it would’ve been — because, and I quote, ‘am used to dealing with pain because of my fibromyalgia and years of dealing with it and other conditions’ which they named in front of others!!!!!!!! what. the. fuck. But I kept my cool because I know all these people, my mom taught their kids music, they’re a fixture of the community, etc. and I refuse to be a Karen…. At least externally.

But here comes the nice part that makes me love our new (okay, he’s been here like 5 years but still, in a small town that’s pretty new lmao) pharmacist that much more. Rasik was aware of my frustration with the doctor and nurses and was even the one who brought to my attention that, at the time, I was 2 months late for my injection and he was a bit concerned since he’s privy to how much pain I exist in without throwing in one or more knives directly into my womb, ovaries, tummy, hips, and other areas my endometrial tissue has taken root. He’s such a sweetheart and he really does care for his patients— the work he does with my father’s diabetes (the tricky one where you’re not obese) management is above and beyond the call of a pharmacist and I will forever be grateful for that alone, never mind how he cares for me.

So I went in today to pick up another medication, after yet another frustrating stop-over at the nurses’ desks, and he suggested I ask for my injectable medication (it’s Depo-Provera, by the way) and the syringe plus the two tips necessary — I’m actually familiar with this since I had to learn epinephrine injections from an early age (not Epipen) and how to give testosterone daily to my ex-husband (sorry not sorry, dude, but congrats on your first kid *grouchy thumbs up*). But yeah! Legally he’s not allowed to suggest I give it to myself, but he was getting super fed up with the nurses and doctors dragging their feet and ‘being assholes with little empathy’ in his own words, so I took the hint and requested my vial plus syringe, as well as the drawing and injection gauge needles…. which he gleefully filled for me, and I reiterated that it was ‘fully my idea, not yours, Rasik, because everyone knows I’m dumb and would never think it’s you if something happened’ (I’m not dumb and I’ve given injections to others many times looool).

Long story short: HERE’S TO PHARMACISTS AROUND THE WORLD, BEING AMAZING AND CARING FOR THEIR PATIENTS AND ‘BENDING BUT NOT REALLY BENDING’ THE RULES TO MAKE SURE THEIR CLIENTS ARE CARED FOR PROPERLY. They are amazing and deserve every last bit of your courtesy, especially when they pull double duty every. single. day. because of Covid and their subsequent boosters. (i.e. boosters in the form of humans who are fucking stupid if they have no medical reason not to get the vaccine… I mean JFC.)

Rasik? You are amazing and I am 100% going to find you some Indian-Canadian (or North Indian; I believe that’s where he’s from originally) treats or desserts or make some myself after slyly asking his assistant what he leans toward liking.

Be kind to one another, yeah, but… my goodness: be kind to those who can truly make a difference in your health, sanity, and even life or death.

Pharmacists, volunteers, and frontline health workers: the true heroes of these times.

Thank you so much. So very much.

💜💙🇨🇦👨🏽‍⚕️❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

P.S. ��� now I just gotta stab myself intramuscularly after making sure there’s no air bubbles and etc., and swap out to the proper gauge needle (different, smaller, to draw from the vial, larger to inject so that it goes in more quickly and, oddly enough, hurts less haha). I don’t think air bubbles are as much of an issue as when injecting intravenously (ummm I have a doctor uncle and grandma nurse and nurse friends, so shush 😆). But I’ve done this for others and animals so I should be good! :)

I’m a smart enough cookie even if I’ve lost a few nibble-size pieces around the edges. 😉😘 buahaha

Cheers to my pharmacist!!!! You are amazing and I can’t wait for the pain and months and months of bleeding to settle down.

Remind me again why humans are the only mammals (animals?) with monthly fluxes? UGH wtf ever. 🙃

[silver15flindt-blog]

6 Tips for Prostate Health

There is a reason why flowing hair is recognized as your crowning glory. When it looks good, you gaze good; in the event it looks bad, you gaze bad. Whether it's a haircut that inadvertently takes on the form of a mullet or ill-conceived highlights, poorly executed cuts and coloring can force you in a self-imposed exile. So strong lower back to get the ideal hair salons. There are plenty of sumptuous choices to select from hence the selection process will get pretty heady if you happen to be new to the emirate. You don't have to over think your alternatives however you should look into them carefully. Reflexology is often a foot massage technique usually considered beneath the umbrella of 'alternative therapies'. Unlike most massage techniques no oils are employed and quite a few with the pressure is applied with all the thumb. As a qualified practitioner I can verify the effectiveness of reflexology in producing pleasure and deep relaxation.

View FR Lower Back Pain in a full screen map

I am additionally a professional scientist as well as a hard headed no nonsense, rationalist. Practitioners of reflexology massage make many therapeutic claims to the technique. Before examining these claims it can be first necessary to take a look at the so named theory that underpin these claims. Chances are that you have heard that general muscular pains and aches, joint stiffness and also sometimes pinched nerves may be alleviated by massage. What you might not know is massage can also help relieve migraine pain, chronic back pain, rumatoid arthritis, even menstrual pain - the ones are a few of the conditions it will also help alleviate! Many in the massage tables which might be inside more expensive range usually have tons of advanced features that you probably will not use, unless you are likely to perform specialized kinds of massages. You can save big money by eliminating unnecessary features and instead focusing your attention for the longevity of the table frame along with the thickness from the cushion. The human body has soft connective tissue called fascia, this tissue basically connects all of the muscles together. Located directly beneath the skin, fascia can easily become stiff and uncooperative through excessive movement, deficiency of movement, and injuries. A foam roller gently works this connective tissue and releases the tightness as the body places pressure upon this massage tool and rolls upon it.

[dapperzack]

Best Cannabis Strains for Fibromyalgia - Does Marijuana Help with Fibromyalgia

Individuals who have fibromyalgia continually live with fatigue and pain in their bodies, as well as a sensation like a fire burning through their skin. This neurological disorder appears suddenly. While an immediate cure does not appear to be possible, cannabis has proven to be an effective companion for those suffering from this difficult condition.

Fibromyalgia is a disease that is still a mystery to a large portion of the medical community, despite the fact that it affects approximately five million American adults, mostly women. Chronic pain is the fundamental symptom of fibromyalgia, along with depression, headaches, and insomnia.

What is Fibromyalgia and What are its Symptoms?

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition where you feel chronic muscle pain. It lessens your personal satisfaction and blocks your capacity to perform fundamental undertakings.

Researchers suspect fibromyalgia is brought about by an imbalanced endocannabinoid system. An endocannabinoid system can become lacking and make you more delicate to pain, sleep, and mood disorders.

There are a few recognizable symptoms of fibromyalgia that include:

Body pain

Headaches and migraines

Sore, tight, and delicate muscles

Mood swings

Chronic weakness

Insomnia

Depression and anxiety

Deadness in the arms and legs

Stomach related issues

Marijuana and Fibromyalgia: Does it Work?

As patients with fibromyalgia know, this disorder is very difficult to treat and difficult to fix. Because of this reality, very few have seen relief from traditional pharmaceuticals for their pain, fretfulness, fatigue, and various other symptoms. Customary treatments incorporate anti-seizure medication, painkillers, and antidepressants.

There isn't much research on cannabis as a treatment for fibromyalgia, yet clinical studies involving integrated THC for symptom management show promising outcomes.

It has additionally been conjectured that fibromyalgia could be brought about by CECD, or Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency. On the off chance that fibromyalgia is brought about by an absence of the body's normal endocannabinoids, cannabis could be compelling for supplementing the body's missing endocannabinoids. Marijuana diminishes patients' symptoms, from chronic pain to depression to insomnia.

Best Cannabis Strains for Fibromyalgia

Some cannabis strains stand apart to help the individuals who experience the ill effects of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Furthermore, we've found that the accompanying marijuana strains have been very useful for fibromyalgia.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic produces a mostly light and smooth high that doesn't last as long as other strains, but it is appealing for precisely that reason. This strain doesn't cause you to feel sluggish but rather permits you to feel tipsy.

This hybrid strain offers a low THC-to-CBD proportion, which some see as supportive for pain management.

THC levels in Cannatonic are typically less than 6%, with CBD levels ranging from 6% to 17%. It is known for its uplifting and relaxing effects and is one of the most popular medical strains as a result of its pain- and anxiety-relieving characteristics.

Not just that, this hybrid medical cannabis causes you to feel loose, cheerful, and sure. Cannatonic permits you to feel roused without experiencing psychoactive effects.

Granddaddy Purple

Since GDP is a classic Indica, it can cause a serious mental high, causing you to calm down and create a new cerebral buzz. Granddaddy Purple is a classic strain with strong painkilling properties and a sweet berry and grape flavor.

For those looking for a significant and relaxing high, Granddaddy Purple offers simply that. It not only helps you unwind and let go of all your stresses, but it also leaves you feeling upbeat.

After smoking Granddaddy Purple, you might experience euphoric giggles and munchies. It's one of the most amazing medical marijuana strains for pain, cramps, muscle spasms, anxiety, and nausea.

Romulan

Romulan is an indica strain that stems from North American Indica and White Rhino. The euphoria of this intense indica can convey a significant body high and could make you couch-locked. In this manner, it's suggested that you take a few puffs and unwind.

Romulan is an ideal relaxant, causing you to feel like you're drifting on mists. In the event that you keep smoking more, it might leave you sluggish, making it the ideal evening smoke.

Romulan can likewise instigate satisfaction and snickers. It will relieve your negative considerations and cause you to feel excited. You will feel as if you have nothing to worry about, prompting you to relax and unwind.

Blue Dream

Sativa-dominant Blue Dream is a notable medical marijuana strain among marijuana users. Smoking it will cause you to unwind and feel empowered, making it the ideal method for beginning your day.

With up to 21% THC and 2% CBD, it can have both medical and recreational advantages. Furthermore, Blue Dream will allow you to associate without fear or anxiety, making it an ideal strain for parties as well.

Numerous patients use it to deal with their chronic illnesses. It can reduce headaches, inflammation, migraines, menstrual spasms, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and stress.

Harlequin

This Sativa-dominant hybrid is an incredible strain for psychological relief. Harlequin is an excellent relaxant with the ability to calm the mind and keep it on track. It will allow you to keep your productivity flowing without causing side effects.

With up to 15% CBD content and 7% THC content, the 2:1 CBD-to-THC proportion is all you really need to feel supported energy without a psychoactive high. That is the reason this bud is so successful with regards to treating pain, inflammation, and depression.

Harlequin is also excellent for treating depression, anxiety, and migraines. Besides, Harlequin is an elevating and happiness-inducing weed.

Ending Note

As we all know, cannabis laws are changing, and this is only the beginning. More fibromyalgia patients will likely turn to medical cannabis to relieve pain and depression.

You can ask the budtender to get you the best medical marijuana strains for your condition. A certified budtender likely has experience assisting different patients with fibromyalgia and may have information on strains that have worked for other people.

Be sure to consult your doctor as well, especially if you are also taking fibromyalgia prescription medications.

[pinkportrait]

I want you to see this absolute logic failing cluterfuck

Oh he has it worse now...

Could it have possibly been the c o v I d you think?!

The absolute dumbfuckery

I hope you suffocate in on a ventilator

Because at some point this stupidity becomes a joke

And I'm not saying there can't be reactions or have negative consequences but the denial of the fact that all these risks or worse come from other ones you have to already have....

Like....

Are you dumb? Are you stupid fr...?

This is just emrbarassing

The repeat denial of the risk v the value...

Just say you hate sick people and chronically ill people in your life and go.....

[pamphletstoinspire]

A Padre Pio Inspirational Story

I feel all your troubles, as if they were my own. – St. Pio of Pietrelcina

A Testimony by Fr. Louis Solcia, CRSP

Amelie Gonzales was a little girl at our parish who taught me many things. She taught me much about both life and death. Her short life was a blessing to her family and to all those who knew her. It certainly was a blessing to me.

Amelie’s mother, Amata, and her grandmother Marlene, regularly attended our Padre Pio prayer group at Our Lady of the Rosary. The family was very devout. Amelie, who followed the good example of her mother and grandmother, was a very spiritual child. Amata told me that when she took Amelie to the store each week, Amelie always wanted to buy a bouquet of roses to place in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Amelie was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer called Pluropulmonary Blastoma. It is a cancer that occurs most often in infants and children but has also been reported in adults. The doctors hoped that chemotherapy treatments would arrest the cancer. Finally, the doctors told the family that they had done everything in their power to save Amelie. They had used every modern medical means at their disposal. There was nothing more they could do.

Amelie grew weaker as the cancer progressed but strangely enough, she never looked sick. She had a desire to receive Holy Communion. Children ordinarily do not receive their first Holy Communion before the age of seven. Amelie was just five years old. But because she had a spiritual maturity beyond her years and because of her terminal diagnosis, I was able to give her Holy Communion.

Amelie told her mother that Padre Pio had come to her and had given her a blessing. One day, near the end of her life, she was lying in her bed, looking up at the ceiling in her room. Suddenly, the ceiling disappeared, and in its place she saw the evening sky, studded with brilliant stars. Jesus and Mary were there in the sky and they were smiling at her. Later, her mother showed her a holy card of Jesus. “Amelie, did Jesus look like this?” she asked. “No, he didn’t,” she replied. “He was so bright!”

Our Padre Pio prayer group had prayed for many weeks for Amelie. We all hoped in our hearts that she would be healed. But it was not to be. Amelie died peacefully in her mother’s arms on December 14, 2009. On the day that she died, she saw a white butterfly. “Mommy, don’t you see the butterfly?” she asked. But her mother could not see it. No one saw it but Amelie. After her death, Amelie truly looked like a little angel.

I had a desire to visit the cemetery where Amelie was buried and I went there on several occasions to pray. Beautiful red roses in a heart-shaped pattern had been placed on her grave by her mother. In my heart, I felt a great sadness. I wondered why God had taken such a beautiful little girl and left us all with such heavy hearts. I especially felt sorry for Amelie’s family because of their grief. But then I reasoned to myself that God never allows something bad to happen unless He can draw good out of it. I have been a priest for more than fifty years and I have always believed that. But in this situation, I struggled with God. Although at the time, I could not see past the pain of the situation, soon I would see the good that God would draw out of Amelie’s death.

Amelie’s best friend was her eight-year-old cousin, Alexis. The two girls were inseparable. After Amelie’s death, Alexis’ sister, Cassandra, had a vivid dream. In her dream, Amelie was looking everywhere for Alexis. “Where is Alexis?” she asked. “I want to find Alexis!” It was shortly after Cassandra’s dream that Alexis announced that she wanted to take instructions in the Catholic faith and be baptized. Everyone in the family was surprised. Alexis’ desire seemed to come out of nowhere. There was certainly no one in her family encouraging her to take that step. Alexis’ mother had no religious affiliation and she never took the family to church on Sunday. However, she was willing to let Alexis take instruction in the Catholic faith. I had the sense that the dream of Amelie was instrumental in Alexis’ desire to become a Catholic. Amelie’s mother now brings Alexis to our parish once a week. I am giving her the instructions myself and preparing her for baptism, confirmation and for her first Holy Communion.

God can and does draw good out of the hard and painful situations in life. We only have to look and we will see.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven – A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot … a time to break down, and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 __________________________

Joey Finn of Hudson, New York had been coping with severe asthma for most of his childhood. In 2005, when Joey was ten years old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an incurable disease that makes it difficult to breathe and eventually destroys the lungs completely. Joey’s lungs already showed the damage from the disease and he would have to have breathing treatments twice a day for the rest of his life. The median survival age for those who have the disease is in the early thirties.

Shortly after Joey’s diagnosis, his mother, Melissa Finn was introduced to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization which offers children with chronic, life threatening diseases, the opportunity to make a wish and have it granted. For the youth who daily struggle with incurable illnesses, the chance to have a wish come true can lift their spirits and enrich their lives. It gives them something positive to look forward to in life. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, in its ministry of compassion, has brought happiness to countless children.

When Joey said that he would like to submit a wish to the Foundation for consideration, his mother assumed that he would request a trip to Disney World in Florida. However, when he told his mother what he wished for, she could not have been more surprised. Joey wanted to travel to San Giovanni Rotondo to pray at the tomb of Padre Pio. He also wanted to see the holy father in Rome. Where did the desire come from? That is a good question. Joey did not grow up in a particularly religious household. Although the Finns were Catholics, they did not attend Mass on Sunday. As it turned out, Joey had seen a documentary on the life of Padre Pio on the History Channel which had greatly inspired him. He learned about Padre Pio’s stigmata, his prayer life, and his deep faith in God. Like Joey, Padre Pio had suffered most of his life with poor health. He was afflicted with chronic breathing problems, including asthma and bronchitis. It was an acute case of asthma that was a contributing cause of Padre Pio’s death in September 1968.

In thinking of her son’s wish, Melissa had one deep concern. She was afraid that Joey would be crushed if he expected a miracle from Padre Pio and did not receive one. She talked to him about it and he assured her that was not the case. He had a devotion to Padre Pio and wanted to pray at his tomb. He intended to offer up his prayers for all the people in the world who were stricken with cystic fibrosis and to pray that there would someday be a cure. He was certain that there would be no disappointment in that.

One recalls that Padre Pio felt a great call to help the sick and suffering, not only through his daily intercessory prayers but also through concrete action. He founded the Home for the Relief of Suffering for that very reason. He spoke of it as his “earthly mission.” There were many scoffers and detractors who doubted that the project could ever succeed. But against all odds, the Home grew and prospered and has helped countless lives.

Joey Finn’s wish was certainly one of the most unique that had been submitted to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Some of the popular requests included a shopping spree at the mall, an outdoor playground, and a trip to the Super Bowl. Occasionally, children requested a trip to Honolulu or Hollywood. But the request to visit San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy had to be a first. The Foundation checked with Joey’s mother to make sure that it was his wish and not hers. She assured them that she was just as surprised as anyone else when she found out Joey’s wish. Joey’s request was finally approved and in June 2007, twelve-year-old Joey along with his mother, father and thirteen-year-old sister made preparations to travel to Italy. Their first surprise came, shortly after they boarded the plane. The pilot came over the loud speaker and proposed a question to all the passengers. “Is it true that Joey Finn, who is sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is on board the plane?” the pilot asked. Joey’s excitement intensified when the pilot asked him if he would like to step to the cockpit and turn the key to start the airplane. His reply was an enthusiastic, “Yes!” It was the beginning of an extraordinary journey for the entire Finn family.

The first stop on their remarkable pilgrimage was to Rome, where they toured the Vatican. They spent time at the beautiful Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Catacombs, the Holy Stairs and more. Along with a multitude of others, they were able to see the Holy Father and to receive his papal blessing. Joey took many excellent pictures of the Holy Father.

In San Giovanni Rotondo, the pilgrims who were waiting in line to make a visit to Padre Pio’s tomb, prayed the Rosary while they waited. Joey and his family joined in the prayers. They literally just squeezed into the church as it was closing that evening. Melissa was the very last person allowed to enter before the doors were locked.

Padre Pio’s tomb was below the main altar of the church and was surrounded by an iron enclosure. People were able to draw very close to the tomb but the iron enclosure prevented anyone from actually touching it. On the evening of the Finns’ visit, the little iron gate was unlocked and opened. All those who were present that evening were allowed to place their hand on Padre Pio’s tomb. Melissa Finn was later told that the iron gate is customarily closed and locked at all times.

The Finn family never imagined the impact the trip to San Giovanni Rotondo would have on their lives. Melissa Finn felt compelled to go to confession while visiting the monastery church of Our Lady of Grace. She had not been to confession in more than twenty-five years. Joey told his mother that when he stood and prayed at Padre Pio’s tomb, he had the sense that Padre Pio had heard his prayers. “Padre Pio has taken our family in as his own,” Joey said to his mother.

For the Finns, the time spent at Padre Pio’s monastery was a time of spiritual renewal and positive change. After returning home, they began to attend Mass together every Sunday as a family. It was something they had not done for a long time. Joey had a desire to learn more about his Catholic faith and to serve the Church. He soon became an altar server each Sunday at Mass.

Joey had been able to purchase some very meaningful souvenirs of Padre Pio while in Italy. Back in Hudson, New York, he set up his own little shrine dedicated to his patron saint and placed it on display in his home. Quite unexpectedly, he even received a third class relic of the saint. A nurse who had heard about Joey was touched by his story. She sent him a very special gift. It was a Rosary which had been blessed by Padre Pio. One of her elderly patients had given it to her. “I believe that Joey found something in Italy which is of equal value to finding a cure for his disease,” Melissa Finn said. “He found his faith, the strength that he will need in his lifetime to endure the challenges that lie ahead of him. He prayed, he listened, he learned … He did this of his own free will and with great determination.” In the final analysis, the greatest healings of all are those that take place in the human soul. __________________________

Judy Hayes of Holiday, Florida woke up one morning to find that a large lump had appeared on her neck. She went to the doctor that very morning and was put through a multitude of tests. The results were not good. Judy was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in stage four, the final stage. The cancer had already spread to her bones.

Before her first chemotherapy treatment, Judy went to a Catholic Gift Shop. She wanted to get some prayer and novena cards of her favorite saints. She was nervous about receiving chemotherapy and planned to pray throughout the treatment.

In the Catholic Gift Shop, the prayer cards and novenas were on a small rack that could be turned in a circular fashion. Three times Judy turned the rack and three times it stopped at a holy card of Padre Pio. However, her devotion was to St. Jude, St. Anthony, and the Infant of Prague. When she found what she was looking for, she made her purchases. She was just opening the door to walk out of the shop when she stopped and turned back. Judy felt guilty. It truly seemed like the little prayer card of Padre Pio had been calling to her. “O.K. Padre Pio, I will take you home with me,” Judy said silently. “I pray that you will be with me and heal me of the cancer.”

The chemotherapy and radiation treatments made Judy very ill. In December, she came down with pneumonia and had to be admitted to the hospital. She became weaker by the day. She lost the ability to walk. Her condition seemed to go from bad to worse. She developed dangerous blood clots and had to be treated for congestive heart failure. She was in and out of the intensive care unit. She had to go into surgery to have her gall bladder removed. Finally, after many months in the hospital, she was sent to a nursing home. However, she soon developed an infection and had to be readmitted to the hospital.

But her condition did not improve. She was placed on a ventilator for nine days. She drifted in and out of consciousness, barely holding on to life. Through the long days and nights, she petitioned Padre Pio to help her. She prayed to him, dialogued with him, entreated him, begged him. For some reason, it was Padre Pio that she addressed her urgent prayers to rather than to the saints that she had been devoted to for years.

One particularly day, as Judy lay silent and immobile in her hospital bed, she heard the nurse supervisor talking to some of the other medical staff. “Before you leave your shift tonight, prepare Judy Hayes’ death certificate,” the nurse supervisor said. “Make sure you have the doctor sign it before he goes home. I have been observing her throughout the day. She is going to die tonight.” Judy was devastated by the words. Everything within her cried out against it. She didn’t want to die. She couldn’t die! She begged Padre Pio to help her.

People everywhere were praying for Judy Hayes. One of her dear friends, who was in a nursing home, prayed a Rosary for Judy every morning at 2:00 a.m. To the amazement of everyone, Judy’s strength slowly returned. She was eventually discharged from the hospital and was able to return to her home.

After Judy’s recovery, she had a great desire to promote Padre Pio. She was convinced that she was alive and well because of his intercession. She made it a habit to keep Padre Pio prayer cards in her purse at all times and she found many opportunities to give them to others. People were inspired by her faith and trust in God. Many people were helped, just by meeting Judy.

One afternoon when Judy was enjoying an afternoon out in the Florida sunshine, she happened to see a woman that she felt urged to speak to. The woman was a complete stranger to her. Not knowing what possessed her, Judy went up to the woman and asked her if she was a Catholic. Judy was not in the habit of asking people their religious affiliation, especially not a perfect stranger. It simply did not seem like an appropriate thing to do. The woman however, did not mind the question at all, and answered in the affirmative. Judy then gave her a Padre Pio prayer card. She told her a little bit about Padre Pio and showed her the beautiful prayer on the back of the card. “Oh, you are an answer to my prayers!” the woman said to Judy. She then went on to explain her situation. For weeks, the woman had been taking care of her dear husband who had a terminal illness. She had become very depressed as she watched him slowly dying. She had not wanted to leave her husband that day but she had done so at the insistence of a friend. Her friend was adamant that she take a needed break. Her friend was taking care of her husband in her place that afternoon.

The woman explained that she had been praying when Judy came up and spoke to her. “Oh God,” she prayed, “Please send me a sign of hope. I need greater faith in You and I need strength to go on. I am so depressed. Please send me someone who will help me!” With her eyes brimming with tears, the woman thanked Judy for the holy card of Padre Pio and assured her that she would pray to him. __________________________

Marsha Jacques felt very fortunate to possess four shirts which were blessed with a first class relic of Padre Pio. The shirts had also been blessed by a holy priest. Marsha decided to give one of the shirts to her neighbor, Julie Bouldin. Julie suffered from chronic pain and many serious health issues. Julie, who had a devotion to Padre Pio, was very happy to receive the shirt.

Julie was not the only person in her family who could benefit from the relic of a saint. At that time, her brother-in-law, Jim, was in critical condition at the hospital. Jim had suffered a massive heart attack not long before which required quadruple bypass surgery. He made it through the surgery but soon after, he developed pneumonia. His condition deteriorated and his bodily organs began to shut down. He finally had to be placed on life support.

The days passed but there was no change, no improvement in Jim’s condition. He was in a deeply unconscious state and machines were now keeping his body alive. After some time on life support, the doctor told Jim’s wife, Mercy, that Jim was not going to recover. It was just a matter of time. He said that it was time to talk about the idea of discontinuing the life support.

Mercy was in a great state of distress when she called Julie, her sister, to tell her the news. Julie advised Mercy not to make any quick decisions. It was almost Christmas. It would be too hard to even think of removing the life support at Christmas time. She advised her to wait until after the holidays to consider it.

Julie wanted to bring the shirt blessed by the relic of Padre Pio to the hospital and pray for Jim. Mercy thought it was a wonderful idea. Jim was not a person of faith. He was an atheist. Although he did not believe in the power of prayer, his wife and his sister-in-law certainly did.In the Intensive Care Unit, Julie and Mercy placed the blessed shirt over Jim. They prayed the Novena to the Sacred Heart for him and put their complete trust in God. Jim remained completely still and unresponsive.

The next day, when they returned to the hospital, his condition was the same. But on the third day, there was a change. When they went into his room, Jim’s eyes were open. He seemed to be trying to communicate with them but he was not able to since there was a large tube down his throat. Mercy told him that they were praying the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for him. She spoke to him of Padre Pio and told him about the relic that they had placed on his chest. She asked him if it was all right with him if they continued the prayers for his healing. Through the expression in his eyes, it seemed as though Jim was trying to tell them that he was glad they were praying and wanted them to continue.

Each day of the novena, Jim became a little more aware, a little more conscious of his surroundings. The doctor was incredulous at his improvement. “Even if he lives, he will be permanently disabled,” the doctor told Mercy. “He will have to spend a long time in a nursing home, relearning motor skills. He will never be able to work again.” But Mercy was not concerned about that. Her husband was now slowly recuperating. Her prayers and her sister’s prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus had been answered.

Jim was discharged to a nursing home where he received physical therapy and continued to improve. He insisted that the blessed shirt remain with him at all times. He was either wearing it or had it right beside his bed. His atheistic beliefs are now a thing of the past. He was eventually able to return to his full time job. Jim is convinced that he has been given a second chance at life through the prayers of his family.

As for me, I will always have hope, and I will praise You more and more. – Psalm 71:14