Aug. 17, 2021 - Hello, friends!

In case you have not heard, Cardinal Raymond Burke, a holy, kind man and great shepherd of the Catholic Church, is in the hospital fighting Covid-19.  The situation is serious.

His Eminence is a longtime friend of our founders, Peter & Theresa Martin, and their family.  He also supports the work and mission of the WCI!  

Here he is surprising the Martin family in May:  

They were at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, WI entombing their miscarried baby (Catherine Bernadette) in the Memorial to the Unborn.  After the entombment, which had broken all the children's hearts, Fr. Paul Check said, "we need to stop at the friary for something real quick."  Theresa says she was thinking "really? can't we just go?"  But father insisted.  As the family walked over to the friary, who came out of the front door, but his Eminence himself!  Like a burst of fatherly love, Cardinal Burke showed them the heavenly Father's mercy during their deepest wound.  The children's faces turned from sadness to JOY! 

When Theresa thanked Fr. Check for making that meeting possible, he said, "the Cardinal insisted!"  That is the kind of man he is, such a loving spiritual father!

Below is a photo that has traveled around the world showing everyone the Cardinal's deep kindness. It is from 2013 when one of Peter & Theresa Martin's son's was baptized by His Eminence and their eldest son received First Holy Communion from him.  Their second oldest was so sad he couldn't receive yet.  When Theresa explained why he was sad to Cardinal Burke, the young boy just leaned into the Cardinal wept.  His Eminence embraced him so lovingly and told him, "don't worry, your First Communion will come soon enough!"  (And two years later, he did receive his First Holy Communion from Cardinal Burke himself!)  

Totus Tuus, Maria!

"Tutus Tuus" was our patron St John Paul II's motto throughout his pontificate.  He gave his whole life, everything he was, everything he did, to Mary.

Just as St. John Paul II did, Cardinal Burke has a deep devotion to Mary! He is the founder of the Shrine of Our Lady in La Crosse. Even in his illness, he reaches for the rosary!

Will you join us in SAYING A ROSARY for the complete healing of Cardinal Burke?  Jesus can't refuse His mother's requests!

And let us also reach out to our patron Saint and ask for his intercession as well!

Dear St. John Paul II, you taught us that the surest, straightest way to Christ was through His Mother.  Teach us all how to love Mary as you did.
Trusting in God's infinite mercy and in the intercession of Mary, you have shown us the path to reach eternal communion with God. And we ask that you pray for our dear shepherd, Cardinal Burke, a true son of Mary. Amen.

St. John Paul II, pray for Cardinal Burke's healing!

Thank you for joining us in this prayer!

God bless you,

the WCI Team