Q …more than we can ask or imagine

[I realize that it’s been more than a month since I last posted – and that the letter I left off on was I. I’ll get to those posts – SOON! And maybe even one of those posts that begins with a letter before Q will include pictures of our new house!]

Why, Jessica, are you getting back on the bandwagon and starting with the letter Q?

Today, Dan headed to Q country to serve as a livestock consultant on a project that the U of A is coordinating for that nation.

 

If that line surprised you, well, both of us were equally surprised when Dan received a call on Tuesday (yes, of this past week!), asking him if he had a current passport and would be interested in serving as a sheep and goat consultant on an international project. After saying, “Sure.” He found out that the trip was scheduled to leave on SATURDAY. Needless to say, our last few days have been busy prepping for his journey. After agreeing to be on the project, he soon found out that he is not just the sheep & goat consultant, but will be consulting on ALL the animals they want on the farm: dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, CAMELS, PIGEONS, RABBITS….

I have far more backstory to share about how (I believe) all of this came about – and it all has to do with a Novena.

This morning, as I was searching for some appropriate prayers to send off Dan, I came across a Novena to St. Isidore. Saint Isidore is the patron saint of farmers. Since the aim of this project is to develop a model farm that the nation could use to educate farmers – and thus, increase the country’s subsistence – I feel that this is a very appropriate prayer for Dan while he is away. I am sharing this on the blog to invite you to pray the Novena (nine-day prayer) with me.

Day 1: Partnership with God (Read Genesis 1:25 and 2:15)

Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Isidore, farmer and confessor, not let us be vain with the wisdom of the world, but by his merits and example, let us in all humility always do what is pleasing to You. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Followed by the Prayer of St. Isidore:

O God, who taught Adam the simple art of tilling the soil, and who through Jesus Christ, the true vine, revealed Yourself the husbandman of our souls, deign, we pray, through the merits of Blessed Isidore, to instill into our hearts a horror of sin and a love of prayer, so that, working the soil in the sweat of our brow, we may enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

Followed by the Our Father (Lord’s Prayer), Hail Mary and Glory Be.

Day 2: Family Life in Christ (Psalm 26:4 – 5)

We offer the sacrifice of praise, O Lord and humbly pray that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God and of St. Joseph, You may establish our families in peace and grace. Through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

Follow with the Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Day 3: Love of Neighbor (Romans 12: 9 – 12)

O God, You who make all things work together for good for those who love You, give to our hearts an abiding love for You: so that the desires we conceive by Your inspiration may ever remain unchanged in spite of every temptation. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Day 4: Dignity of Work (2 Thessalonians 3:8-12)

O Lord, let us follow the blessed farmer Isidore’s example of patience and humility, and walk so faithfully in his footsteps that by his intercession in the evening of life, we can offer You a rich harvest of merits and good works. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Day 5: Walking in the Presence of God (1Timothy 4:15 – 16)

Breathe into our hearts, we beseech You, O Lord, a desire for heavenly glory, and grant that we may pass, bearing in our hands, the sheaves of justice, to where the Blessed Isidore is resplendent with You in glory. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Day 6: Stewardship of the Soil (James 5:7-10)

Pour down Your blessing, we beseech You, O Lord, upon Your people, and upon all the fruits of the earth, so that when collected, they may be mercifully distributed to the honor and glory of Your holy name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Day 7: Rural Works of Mercy (Matthew 6:19 – 20)

May the grace of the Holy Spirit, we beseech You, O Lord, enlighten our hearts, and refresh them abundantly with the sweetness of perfect charity. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Day 8: Trust in Prayer (Philippians 4:4-7)

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; grant, we beseech You, to us Your supplicants, the gift of Your most divine love, so that we may love You with our whole heart and in all our words and works, and never cease praising You: who live and reign, world without end. Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)

Day 9: Sacrifice of Praise (Hebrews 10:12 – 14)

Protect us, O Lord, who offer sacrifices to You, and sear our hearts with the flame of Your divine charity, so that they may be ever more fervently prepared for sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Prayer of St. Isidore, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be)