May 2004

Greetings to all for the month of May, the month of Mary.  It reminds me of May Processions and Marian hymns in years gone by, of how the various classes in the Brothers’ schools used to vie with one another in erecting the most magnificent May Altars in honour of Our Blessed Mother, of how the neighbours’ gardens were never too safe as youthful clients of Mary trawled for flowers! This was a custom stretching all the way back to the days of Blessed Edmund; that and the Memorare, his favourite prayer.

I bring you the  sad news that Tom Cashman, an Australian client of Blessed Edmund, has again succumbed to a serious bout of cancer.  He was writing an academic thesis on Edmund and was confident that Edmund would petition God to restore him to full health. For quite long periods of time the illness was in remission and it did seem that his prayer was heard. But there is our time and God’s time. At present it looks as if God is calling him home.  If so, Blessed Edmund will be the first to greet him in his new home. Yet while there is life, there is hope, and who is not to say that even at this late time, Blessed Edmund’s intercession may still be answered.  Keep Tom in your prayers. By now you will all have been involved in the Novena for the Feast of Blessed Edmund, 5 May. I would love to hear comments from you on how the Novena was celebrated in your group.  Any suggestions for future Novenas would be much appreciated. I would also be very interested to hear how  the actual feast of Blessed Edmund was celebrated this year.  I hope you keep little Quincy from Chicago in your prayers. News of favours granted through the intercession of Blessed Edmund keeps trickling in. The following letter is a good example of the faith and reverence that so many people have for Blessed Edmund:

‘I shall not die; I shall live and recount his deeds.’ These are the words that struck me when, during my hour for Perpetual Adoration, I turned to the psalms for words of encouragement and consolation, having just heard that I would have to have surgery to remove a tumour in my bowel.  Those words have kept me going through a difficult and trying period.  During that period I have experienced the power of prayer in a very special way.

While waiting for the results of a colonoscopy I went to Mount Sion in Waterford to the tomb of Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers to whom I owe an awful lot.  I prayed at his tomb that there would be no malignancy and that if there were that I would receive the strength and courage to bear it.  In the Monastery Br Horan blessed me with a relic of Edmund Rice and prayed with me.  I went home armed with a relic and prayer leaflets which I distributed to my family, work colleagues and friends and asked them to storm heaven for a good result on the following Wednesday.

However, the results showed that the tumour was indeed malignant but thankfully it hadn’t spread anywhere else.  I would have to have an operation the following week.  The operation was a success and tests confirmed that the malignancy has not spread anywhere  else and that there would be no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  While the operation took around seven hours, the surgeon said that it was one of his more successful ones. 

I am firmly convinced that the power of the Lord was at work.  In the days prior to going into hospital I could feel myself being lifted on a wave of hope and trust in the Lord.  I experienced little or no fear, anxiety or terror.  My attitude was positive throughout.  I attribute all this to the prayers and Masses that were offered for me and especially to the intercession of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice.

The first Mass I attended after coming out of hospital was in Loreto Convent, Fermoy, at the kind invitation of the Sisters, on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The response to the psalm was very appropriate for me: ‘Never forget the deeds of the Lord.’ [S.O’M, Kilworth, Fermoy, Co. Cork, 15 Sept 2003]

Doesn’t it do your faith good to read such letters? Such faith, such confidence in the power of God!  Please keep up the prayers, and beseech the Almighty to listen to your requests, through the intercession of Blessed Edmund. Please continue to pray for the little child, Quincy, for Tom Cashman, long-term devoted client of Blessed Edmund, and for all those who place their confidence in him.  Blessed Edmund, present our petitions at the Throne of God.

Donal Blake CFC,

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