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During her life, Theresa wasn't able to attend school on a full time basis. Some years she
could only attend half of the school session, and some others, a third of the session. Her illness afflicted her most all the time, making it very difficult to concentrate on
school as the pain was very
excruciating and constant. This debilitation began when she was a small child, and worsened as she got older. She had been to countless Doctors and hospitals during her life, and they could only do so much for her. Everything else was left in the hands of God, and we knew that very
intimately, and she knew it as well. But she was never deterred in her prayer.
From
as far back as I can remember as a small child, we prayed the rosary
nightly. Not only did we pray the rosary at home, but I have fond
memories at school as well. I remember all the times that Sister Philathea broadcasted over the intercom into all the
classrooms at Saint Francis Cabrini every morning.
I realize now that praying was the right thing to do. I remember all of the times that Theresa would
offer up her pain to God in her prayers. It was the only thing that she had to offer up to
Him. It was the only thing that sustained her spirit during her most
painful tribulations. She would ask Him to give her the ability to
sustain the pain, to tolerate it and this was her gift to Him.
I urge you to pray to Theresa for her intercession, especially during
the most painful or debilitating moments in your life, or for those near
you that cannot pray for themselves. Offer
your prayers through Theresa's intercession. It is the one single most
important gift that you can give of yourself.
The most enduring trait that I will
always remember about my sister is that she had never given
up hope, even in the darkest moments of her life. She sustained her soul
by maintaining her faith and always realizing that God heard her every
prayer, no matter how softly she had asked.
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