A Companion for the Sick
Publisher: Romain Lizé Editor-in-Chief: Rev. Sebastian White, o.p. Managing Editor: Samuel Wigutow Editorial Coordinator and Layout: Julia Pateu Iconography: Isabelle Mascaras Cover: Solange Bosdevesy Proofreader: Samuel Wigutow Translator: Laura Rachel Yanikoski Permissions: Diaga Seck-Rauch Copyright © 2024 by Magnificat Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Germany by Beck Job number: 24L0852 ISBN: 978-1-63967-092-5 Biblical texts (Part II) are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Psalms reprinted from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, prepared by the monks of Conception Abbey © 2010, 2018 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address Magnificat, PO Box 834, Yonkers, NY 10702. www.magnificat.com Cover: The Daughter of Jairus, James Tissot (1836-1902), Brooklyn Musem, NYC. © Brooklyn Museum / Bridgeman Images.
A Companion for the Sick
4 Table of Contents Presentation ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Part I Daily Prayer with the Psalms �����������������������������������������8 Here I Am ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10 Thank You ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13 Forgive Me ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17 I Love You ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21 Please ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25 Part II Biblical Texts ����������������������������������������������������������������29 “I Will Give You Rest” ����������������������������������������������������������������������31 “Whoever Wishes to Follow Me” ����������������������������������������������������31 The Greatest Commandment ���������������������������������������������������������31 Jesus Heals the Sick Who Come to Him ����������������������������������������32 Jesus Announces the Good News ��������������������������������������������������32 “Ask And You Shall Receive” ����������������������������������������������������������32 “Wait with Endurance” ��������������������������������������������������������������������33 The God of All Encouragement ������������������������������������������������������33 “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong” ������������������������������������������33 “Christ Lives In Me” ������������������������������������������������������������������������34 Part III Prayers ������������������������������������������������������������������������35 Our Father ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Hail Mary ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Glory Be ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Morning Offering ����������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus) ��������������������������������������������������37 Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) ����������������������������������������������������������38 Canticle of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) ��������������������������������������������������38 I Confess ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Kyrie �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Intercessory Prayers ��������������������������������������������������������������������������40 Prayer of the Heart ��������������������������������������������������������������������������40 Spiritual Communion ����������������������������������������������������������������������40 Act of Contrition ������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 Act of Faith, Hope, and Love in Times of Illness ����������������������������41
5 Anima Christi ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42 Veni Creator ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42 Apostles’ Creed ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 Rosary ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) ������������������������������������������������������45 Sub Tuum Praesidium ����������������������������������������������������������������������46 Memorare ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46 Prayer to My Guardian Angel ��������������������������������������������������������46 Chaplet of Divine Mercy ������������������������������������������������������������������47 Prayers of Entrustment ��������������������������������������������������������������������48 Litany of Compassion for the Sick ��������������������������������������������������53 Prayer of Pope Francis for the Sick ��������������������������������������������������55 Part IV Meditations �������������������������������������������������������������� 57 The Healing Touch of Christ ������������������������������������������������������������58 Your Faith Has Made You Well ������������������������������������������������������60 He Bore Our Afflictions ������������������������������������������������������������������62 Suffering as a Missionary ����������������������������������������������������������������64 The Eleventh Hour ��������������������������������������������������������������������������65 Be Not Afraid ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������66 The Tragedy of Wasted Pain ������������������������������������������������������������67 Offer It Up ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������68 Suffering Transformed from Within ������������������������������������������������70 Part V Portraits of Virtuous Suffering ��������������������������������73 Blessed Frédéric Ozanam ����������������������������������������������������������������74 Saint Thérèse Of The Child Jesus ����������������������������������������������������75 Saint John Paul II ������������������������������������������������������������������������������77 Credits ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 79
6 Presentation We only fully enjoy the treasure of health when we are unexpectedly confronted with fragility. Illness appears, at the heart of our existence, like a thief of tranquility, of serenity. Everything seems to change, without warning. Sickness intrudes upon us, upsetting the balance of our lives and wearing us down, often to the point of leaving us speechless. It isn’t easy to put this inner earthquake into words! Worse, how can we even begin to express what we’re going through if there isn’t someone there to listen patiently? Everyone feels, during these long hours of pain and suffering, the need to stabilize themselves in a loving relationship, to cry out their complaint in the hope of being heard, to express incomprehension, and also to rediscover inner peace. On this road of trial and tribulation, it’s good to discover, like the disciples of Emmaus, that we're not alone. Christ walks alongside us, a companion for pilgrims lost in bewildering questions. Christ joins us in the smile of the caregiver, in the person who knocks at the door, in the availability of the person willing to be our neighbor, like the Good Samaritan of old. All these visits can become a “Visitation,” nourishing within us the desire to pray. This little guide is intended to help us put our feelings into words during the difficult hours, to keep faith in the midst of adversity, to hold on to the warm hand extended to us by the Lord. Whether we’re at peace or in turmoil, this book will help us escape the “solitary confinement” of illness. Father Jean-Marie Onfray Head of the Health and Justice Subcommittee of the Bishops' Conference of France
7 There are five main stages of prayer: • Here I am: I present myself to God just as I am. • Thank you: I give thanks to the Lord for all I have received from him. • Forgive me: I ask the Lord’s forgiveness for having forgotten his love. • I love you: I reaffirm my trust. • Please: I entrust to him my life and concerns.
Part I Daily Prayer with the Psalms Prayer isn’t merely a recitation, but a cry of the heart, an outpouring of love to the Lord God.
9 In this section you’ll find excerpts from the Psalms that can provide inspiration for the five great stages of prayer. The words of the Psalms are the prayer of God’s people and of Christ himself. They are a mirror of the soul of every person who turns to God. They give voice to the different states of mind you may be going through. You can say them or sing them at any time, in the deepest night or in the brightest hour. “There is no aspect of the interior life, no kind of religious experience, no spiritual need of man that is not depicted and lived out in the Psalms" (Thomas Merton, Praying the Psalms).
10 Here I Am When I am troubled O God of justice, give answer when I call; from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me! Ps 4:2 O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer me. Of you my heart has spoken, “Seek his face.” It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me. Ps 27:7-9 Forsake me not, O Lord! My God, be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, my Lord and my salvation! Ps 38:22-23 I have said to the Lord, “You are my God.” Give ear, O Lord, to the cry of my appeal! Lord, my Lord, my mighty help, you shield my head in the battle. Ps 140:7-8 When I am dismayed or confused O Lord, all my longing lies before you; my groans are not hidden from you. My heart throbs, my strength is spent; the very light has gone from my eyes. Ps 38:10-11 As for me, who am wretched and poor, hasten to me, O God. You are my rescuer, my help; O Lord, do not delay. Ps 70:6
PART I 11 But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why do you reject me, O Lord? Why do you hide your face from me? Ps 88:14-15 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings. Ps 130:1-2 O Lord, you search me and you know me. You yourself know my resting and my rising; you discern my thoughts from afar. If I say, “Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night,” even darkness is not dark to you, the night shall be as bright as day. Ps 139:1-2, 11-12 When I am confident To you do I pray, O Lord. In the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead and watch before you. Ps 5:4 Rescue me… O God of my salvation, and then my tongue shall ring out your justice. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Ps 51:16-17 O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you; for you my soul is thirsting. For you my flesh is pining, like a dry, weary land without water. When I remember you upon my bed, I muse on you through the watches of the night. For you have been my strength; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
12 My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. Ps 63:2, 7-9 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, and abides in the shade of the Almighty, says to the Lord, “My refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!” Ps 91:1-2 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great, nor marvels beyond me. Truly, I have set my soul in tranquility and silence. Like a weaned child on its mother, as a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord, both now and forever. (Psalm 131)
PART I 13 Thank You When I am troubled As for me, I will sing of your strength, and acclaim your mercy in the morning, for you have been my stronghold, a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, to you I will sing praise, for you, O God, are my stronghold, the God who shows me merciful love. Ps 59:17-18 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name forever. Your mercy to me has been great; you have saved me from the depths of Sheol. Ps 86:12-13 Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever. I called to the Lord in my distress; the Lord has answered and freed me. The Lord is at my side; I do not fear. Ps 118:1, 5-6 If I say, “Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night,” even darkness is not dark to you. For it was you who formed my inmost being, knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you who wonderfully made me; how wonderful are your works, which my soul knows well! Ps 139:11-12a, 13-14 Blest be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
14 He is my merciful love, my fortress; he is my stronghold, my savior, my shield in whom I take refuge. Ps 144:1-2 When I am confident I keep the Lord before me always; with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my flesh shall rest in hope. Ps 16:8-9 Blest be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my appeal. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts. I was helped; my heart rejoices, and I praise him with my song. Ps 28:6-7 You have changed my mourning into dancing, removed my sackcloth and girded me with joy. So let my soul sing psalms to you, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will thank you forever. Ps 30:12-13 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your loving mercy in the morning, and your truth in the watches of the night. Ps 92:2-3 I will sing to the Lord all my life, sing psalms to my God while I live. May my thoughts be pleasing to him. I will rejoice in the Lord. Ps 104:33-34 O praise the Lord, all you nations; acclaim him, all you peoples! For his mercy has prevailed over us; and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
PART I 15 Alleluia! Ps 117:1-2 I will extol you, my God and king, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless you day after day, and praise your name forever and ever. Ps 145:1-2 Alleluia! My soul, give praise to the Lord; I will praise the Lord all my life, sing praise to my God while I live. Ps 146:1-2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all his benefits. It is the Lord who forgives all your sins, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who fills your life with good things, renewing your youth like an eagle’s. The Lord does deeds of justice, gives full justice to all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, and his deeds to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He will not always find fault;
16 nor persist in his anger forever. He does not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so strong his mercy for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far from us does he remove our transgressions. As a father has compassion on his children, the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him. For he knows of what we are made; he remembers that we are dust. Man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field. The wind blows, and it is no more, and its place never sees it again. But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear, upon children’s children his justice, for those who keep his covenant, and remember to fulfill his commands. (Psalm 103:1-18)
PART I 17 Forgive Me When I am troubled Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor. Relieve the anguish of my heart, and set me free from my distress. See my lowliness and suffering, and take away all my sins. Ps 25:16-18 Why are you cast down, my soul; why groan within me? Hope in God; I will praise him yet again, my saving presence and my God. Ps 42:6 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your merciful love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Ps 51:3-4 Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt. Create a pure heart for me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ps 51:11-12 To you all flesh will come. Our evil deeds are too heavy for us, but only you can pardon our transgressions. Ps 65:3-4 When I am dismayed or confused How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear grief in my soul, have sorrow in my heart all day long?
18 As for me, I trust in your merciful love. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation. Ps 13:2-3, 6 Dismiss not your servant in anger; you have been my help. Do not abandon or forsake me, O God, my Savior! Ps 27:9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress. My eyes are wasted with grief, my soul and my body. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighs. Affliction has broken down my strength. Ps 31:10-11 O God, you know my folly; from you my sins are not hidden. May those who hope in you not be shamed because of me, O Lord of hosts. Ps 69:6-7 Do not remember against us the guilt of former times. Let your compassion hasten to meet us; for we have been brought very low. Help us, O God our savior, for the sake of the glory of your name. Ps 79:8-9 Bring us back, O God, our savior! Put an end to your grievance against us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will your anger last from age to age? Will you not restore again our life, that your people may rejoice in you? Ps 85:5-7 Do not call your servant to judgment, for no one is righteous in your sight. Ps 143:2
PART I 19 When I am confident Remember your compassion, O Lord, and your merciful love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. In your merciful love remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. Ps 25:6-7 To you I have acknowledged my sin; my guilt I did not hide. I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord.” And you have forgiven the guilt of my sin. Ps 32:5 And now, Lord, what is there to wait for? In you rests all my hope. Set me free from all my sins, do not make me the taunt of the fool. Ps 39:8-9 You, O Lord, will not withhold your compassion from me. Your loving mercy and your faithfulness will always guard me. Let them ever say, “The Lord is great,” who long for your salvation. Ps 40:12, 17 Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; save the servant who trusts in you, my God. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Gladden the soul of your servant, for I lift up my soul to you, O Lord. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you. Ps 86:2-5
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