I received the letter below from Carlo Angelo Ignacio of Allentown, Pennsylvania:
We are almost in the same situation as the Schiliro family.
On August 23, 2008, our son, Ezekiel Thane M. Ignacio, known as "Ethan," was born at 24 weeks, 12 weeks premature, with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, a chronic lung disease. He is still in the NICU of St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They now have him on a "jet ventilator" since he requires more ventilation than what a conventional ventilator can provide.
We heard the story of Zelie and Louis Martin, and the healing of Pietro Schiliro, during Mass on October 19: coincidentally, the same day they were declared blessed. At the same time we heard Mass that day at St. Augustine of Canturbury in Kendall Park, NJ. (However, we belong to the parish of St. Catharine of Sienna in Allentown, Pa.). During the priest's sermon he talked about the healing of Pietro Schiliro. We were touched by the priest's sermon that day, as if the Mass was really intended for us.
We got the message of that was sent for us.
We continue to pray to St. Therese and her parents for our son. May they grant us the same miracle. We hope and continue to have faith.
Carlo Ignacio
This is to invite the friends of thereseoflisieux.org to join in a novena for little Ethan. Would you please, beginning on Wednesday, November 12, recite the prayer below for nine days to ask the Lord to heal him through the intercession of Blessed Louis and Zelie? Thank you very much.
God our Father
I thank you for giving us Blessed Louis Martin and Zélie Martin,
who, joined in the unity and faithfulness of marriage,
gave us testimony of an exemplary Christian life,
performing their daily duties according to the spirit of the Gospel.
Raising a large family, through trials, mourning, and tribulations,
they showed their trust in You and generously adhered to Your will.
Lord, let us know Your plans in relation to them,
and grant me the grace I am asking (....),
in the hope that the father and mother
of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face
may soon be included among the Saints of the Church,
as an example to the families of our time.
Amen.