My name is Vincent Acierto. I am 9 years old, Grade IV, studying at Southville International School. I was born onFebruary 1, 1988 and since birth I cannot walk, the doctors said it was a miracle that I survived. I have had eight major operations since I was born. I have to be always in my wheelchair. I was a sickly boy since birth. I was always in the hospital almost every two months. But for three years now, I don’t get sick anymore. And I thank God and Mama Mary very much for it. All of my pains and sufferings I just offer them to our Lord because it was He who gave me and all of us our lives. Without God we are nothing, we can do nothing in this world without him. When I was 4 years old, I was given Holy Communion and I served the Mass of my priest friend Reverend Fr. Jerry Orbos, and SVD missionary. Do you know what a missionary is? They are those who leave their family, home and country, go out and teach the people how to go to heaven. Sometimes they are killed or get sick in other countries or they die without seeing their family anymore. And we have to pray for them so that they will always be protected by Mama Mary and our Lord.

St. Therese of Lisieux

There is a saint and her name is St. Therese of the Little Flower of Jesus. She is the patroness of the Missions.  She did not leave the convent as a nun but she prayed very hard for the missionaries. She offered not only her prayers but also her sacrifices like not watching TV and fasting from junk food and by praying especially the rosary. We can offer them for the people’s conversion, for people who are sick, for sinners everywhere, for poor souls in purgatory. God has told us “Love one another as I have loved you.” Let us give food and clothing to other people who are poor. And it becomes a mission for us already.

In the morning, let us say our prayers offering everything we shall do for the say to our Lord. Let use consecrate ourselves to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary so that we will only do good things for the day and offer them for missionaries.

Please allow me to pray for  before you the Prayer for Missionaries

A Prayer for Missionaries

Most loving Father, bless your missionaries who have left home, country and family to proclaim the gospel to all nations braving deprivation, loneliness and even persecution that the heart of Jesus may live in the hearts of all.

Protect them from all dangers, strengthen them in their trials, give the perseverance and reward them in this life and in the life to come for their sacrifices and generosity for the kingdom. Short of being out there myself I offer you this heartfelt prayer that I am a missionary, too, and that I should spread the Good News wherever I am, whatever I do.

This I ask in the name of Jesus, the Divine Word. Amen.