Near the start of World War II, Jesuit Hans Urs von Balthasar was offered a choice between teaching in Rome and serving as a student chaplain in Basel (Switzerland). Who wouldn’t want to teach in Rome?! Mindful of the German aggression in the region, the Swiss native chose to return to his homeland.

During the summer of 1940, he was introduced to Adrienne von Speyr, a doctor and the wife of Dr. Werner Kaegi, a history professor. She was recuperating after a serious heart attack. The potential convert had been unable to pray the “Our Father” since her first husband’s untimely death in 1934. Guided by Balthasar, she entered the Church months later on the Feast of All Saints.  Balthasar became her spiritual director; she became the inspiration for the rest of his life’s work.

Lord, We Pray:

* For all children with chronic medical conditions, that their suffering would be mitigated by the love and support they encounter in every person they meet;

* For the parents and siblings of these children, that they would find their emotional, physical, financial, social and spiritual needs met;

* For the doctors, nurses, therapists, educators and social service personnel, that their work would be blessed with success;

* For friends and neighbors, that their attempts to help would be generous and at the same time, “care-filled”;

* For a positive resolution of misunderstandings, and greater sensitivity to the needs of special families everywhere;

* That, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, who understands the pain of watching a child suffer, the gifts of hope and strength would be given to each family member as the need arises.

Amen