Praying with people for healing has come naturally to me through the years. When I was a young teen, my little foster brother suffered terribly from hydrocephalus and Mom and I would pray over him often. We joined the Anglican Healing Order of St. Luke the Physician, and learned a lot about healing through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. (Mark 16:18) I used to love praying over handicapped children as a swim/gym instructor, and beautiful things happened that took me by surprise. The best date ever was the one that turned into a healing session at the local nursing home. I would pray over anyone who was open to it. The Holy Spirit lit a fire in my heart for this. It has  grown stronger and more mature through the years, especially since meeting John Paul II. It has intensified since the election of Pope Francis.

Why am I so drawn to healing prayer? I know what it is to suffer. And I know what it is to be healed. I know what it is to suffer for such a long time that hope seems cruel, a set up for constant disappointment, making death seem like it would be a relief. Turning to the lives of the saints I concluded that this was God’s special plan for my life and necessary for the salvation of souls. Books and movies on the lives of saints such as Bernadette and Therese of Lisieux seemed to confirm this and imply that the worst possible illness meant the most souls saved and the highest possible glory. And wasn’t that what St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh and glorying in infirmities was referring to? So I  shouldered my cross and bravely soldiered on, but always with a sense that something was missing. That’s probably why I never stopped asking God questions, arguing with him, complaining, and listening for answers. It also motivated me to never give up asking for prayers and praying over others for healing.  And He has begun to answer my questions and my prayers in the most beautiful and unexpected ways!

I’ve been praying over people for almost four decades, but in the last year something new has been opening up.  It started with the young couple completely freed from pain, and two young mothers who could not conceive and have since given birth. Little signs confirming the testimony (Mark 16: 17-19) are beginning to bubble up, after digging in the mud for many years. Our Lady asked St. Bernadette to dig in the mud for a spring. In spite of the humiliation, she did. The spring of Lourdes has gushed forth with healing waters ever since. Thank God St. Bernadette kept digging. And thank God for our fellow Christians who have been digging up healing springs all over the place. I think they have some important things to teach us. You should hear them talk about the Father’s love, our identity in Christ, and walking in His authority.

I have come to believe that the Holy Spirit gift of healing is very important for the New Evangelization.  It is critical to reversing the culture of death. I believe it has a key role to play in building Christian unity and healing the broken Body of Christ. And I think we are going to be amazed to see the mysterious way that Mary, the Mother of God, is at the very heart of all this.

Also central to this grace is our new Pope Francis. He is a pope for the little people, and I sense the Lord is about to pour out the Holy Spirit on us little people as in a New Pentecost.  God the Father is calling us to plunge head first into the fire of our baptism. He wants us to live and love in the power of the Holy Spirit with all His amazing gifts. It is the only way to win over the whole world to Jesus and His beautiful plan. So in Pope Francis’ words, “[Let's] Go!”

“The power of Baptism urges Christians to proclaim Christ courageously and without reserve. [The first Christians] were a simple faithful, baptized just a year or so – but they had the courage to go and proclaim. And people believed them! [Their preaching] worked miracles.”  -Pope Francis

The primary purpose of this blog is to share what I am learning about the grace of Baptism and the gift of healing, and to provide follow-up for people I pray with as I travel.  I truly believe we are entering into a season of grace where the Lord wants to surprise us with “new things” and I would love for this blog to be a place of  ”Giving Him Permission” (Isaiah 43:18-20). I will include links and input from “experts” and “ordinary” folks. I also look forward to the invaluable contribution of readers offering feedback in the Comments section.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL!!!
Running errands today: Costco Store: Hugs and exchanges of “You’re beautiful!” with big hearted African American employee at entrance. She is always telling people they are beautiful; she smothered me in a bear hug when I beat her to it and said she was not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside too! Radiant smile as I promise Moslem employee at cash that I will pray she feels better. Big hugs with African American employee at exit when we discover he is a pastor and I am a missionary: “Brother! Sister!” Beautiful exchange with Moslem woman in parking lot after I tell her how beautiful she is and that God loves her. Great conversation with Caucasian man at cash as I tell him about the Holy Spirit gift of healing and faith. He catches up with me in parking lot to thank me. Staples Store: Wonderful experience praying over Hispanic employee for deeper release of the Spirit after a really neat exchange..people are so open and hungry for God. And finally, beautiful prayer with a young Hispanic mother (with her children) and the Lord takes away her pain from surgery!
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!! Jesus is Alive!!!

Fr. Couturier Helps Make Tiny Hats

Please check out this beautiful post by Mary Prillo who leads the monthly gatherings of Eucharist for Life, a family mission I founded in 2007.  http://eucharistforlife.org/tiny-hats-for-tiny-heads/

I am so proud of these families who have persevered in praying for priests and the unborn, faithfully, since 2007. Much fruit has been born of their humble, hidden prayers.

Over the past 6 years I have seen deeply encouraging developments in Montreal, and Quebec, for priests and the unborn.

Why not consider beginning a group like this in your community?

On Pope Francis’ Installation Day, inspired by his exhortation to “Go out..go out and share..share with the poor..” Randa, Mary and I went out to share.What touched me most was meeting the young man in the wheel chair. He said, “I am only 25 and paralyzed for life. I was shot twice in the chest. The bullets missed my heart but damaged my spinal cord.” We prayed with him. Young people began to gather ’round. It felt like Our Lord’s Kingdom was moving in on us; it literally transforms the environment. We are praying for his complete healing. Some people experienced release from long-term chronic pain. Everyone we prayed with was so open, so grateful. The harvest is great. “Let’s Go!” — at Detroit, MI.  See Video: http://youtu.be/G2EV5Nxxne0

Friends have been wondering if I am standing on street corners in DC with a bullhorn shouting “Repent and believe the Gospel!” In actual fact, I simply approaching people and ask them if they would like a Rosary to pray for “peace in the streets of DC and an end to violence”. The words alone bring a smile to people’s faces, and if they want more, we share the Good News of the Gospel. If they want more, we pray with them. We are very gentle and respectful. My streetwise friend, “Brian from the Bronx” suggested the Rosary approach. And it’s amazing how the Blessed Mother opens the door and makes it easy to evangelize. So many people are lonely, frightened, sad or just totally stressed out. The Church is called to reach out to everyone. And, we are the Church!  I cannot express in words the joy this ministry brings to my heart. The city turns from black and white to technicolor when walking the streets singing and sharing the Good News of the Gospel! Here is a photo of Brian with Abbot Eden, a wise and holy priest who prays for us. Brian will share his amazing conversion story this Sunday at 5pm EST, 4pm CT on http://radiomaria.us/givegodpermision/

http://youtu.be/Pcr053hfY-k

As Darkness Closes in..
All Hands on Deck for the New Evangelization
Be Creative! Be Brave! Give God Permission to Use You!
We went back to DC today to share the Good News in the streets. At first it was really difficult. And no one wanted a rosary. The place felt cold and unfriendly. I wanted to run away. Then something amazing happened. As we approached a homeless man in Dupont Circle, my friend Brian said, “This guy will respond…., he is one of God’s little ones.” The man greeted us with a big, beautiful smile and welcomed us. “Of course I’ll take a rosary!” As we talked with him, I felt a heaviness lift as joy filled my heart. Then I noticed the song blasting from his CD player: “People Get Ready!” After that, everything turned around. People responded with warmth, and many were eager to receive rosaries.
God has something incredibly beautiful for each one of us to contribute to the Year of Faith and the New Evangelization! He waits for our tiny “yes”, our humble efforts, and our few loaves and fishes. Then He moves in and does something fantastic and mysterious through us that blesses the whole world. So beautiful!
Watch Youtube Video and Share: http://youtu.be/Pcr053hfY-k

A friend of mine posted a photo and description of an abortion procedure on Facebook that I couldn’t finish reading. We all know there is something terribly wrong going on but many of us don’t know where to begin; how can we help? And we don’t want to be labeled. But the thing is, each one of us has unique, unrepeatable gifts, opportunities, talents and relationships that position us to save precious little lives. My mother chose to adopt after giving birth to 7. My mom and my dad are my heroes. And this little guy transformed my life. His mother was 15, and he had serious, serious health problems. To this day I cannot look at his picture without welling up with tears…he really transformed my life. What a terrible, terrible loss if he had not been allowed to be born. So I am asking the Lord, “what are the unique, unrepeatable gifts, etc. that you have given me to help these little ones?” Only the Lord can answer that for each one of us and He will if we ask Him.

Nancy and I met Mark on the metro and we invited him to the March for Life in Washington yesterday. Little did we know that we had invited an angel to accompany us. What a wonderful person.

Each one of us has a critical, unique and unrepeatable role to play in protecting and upholding the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death. We just need to ask the Lord what that is and give Him permission to use us in whatever way He wants.

We are praying for you and your important work, Mark. Keep in touch!

 I marched for life today in Washington, DC. I found myself surrounded by a sea of beautiful young people, hundreds of thousands of them. I felt carried by what I can only describe as waves of love. I know this was due in part to the purity of heart and profound faith of the youth, but there was something mysterious and otherworldly that I believe had to do with the presence of fifty-five million little ones marching with us.

I was sick over Christmas. A miserable thing. But it gave me a chance (and motivation) to really think and pray about the Year of Faith (Oct. 11, 2012- Nov. 24, 2013) and about miracles.

I thought a lot about Brother Andre. His feast day is coming up on the 7th. I love his “dirty dishwater” miracle. It just cracks me up. No matter how hard we try, we just can’t put the saints, let alone our Heavenly Father, in a box. And He doesn’t put us in a box. So we should be ready for anything this year.

An important thing to remember is that each one of us is unique and unrepeatable. So our experience of the Year of Faith will be unique and unrepeatable. The Lord wants to teach us a lot of things about faith. Deeply personal things. Things that mean everything to us. He wants us to remember that the more we become like little children, the easier it will be for us to understand and trust, and be amazed.

There will be a lot of things going on this year competing for our undivided attention. The scripture passage that comes to mind is Peter walking on the stormy sea to Jesus (Mt. 14: 22-32). Where we focus our attention will make all the difference; not just for ourselves, but for those the Father has entrusted to our prayer and care.