Worth Revisiting Wednesday: A Catholic Mom’s Prayers for Her Teenage Son

It’s Worth Revisiting Wednesday! A place where you can come and bring a past & treasured post to share, and link-up with fellow bloggers! Co-Hosted with Allison Gingras at Reconciled To You.

A Catholic Mom’s Prayers for Her Teenage Son

(Originally posted September 11th, 2014)

Today, as we remember the tragedy of 9/11, I am blessed to also celebrate the 15^th birthday of my son Peter.

That day as he was turning two, I was out making necessary birthday preparations when the Twin Towers went down. This event that has so defined the spirit of our nation in both sorrow and solidarity is an indelible part of his birthday as well. Yet, rather than disregarding or muting the sentiments of the day, perhaps there is much grace for him in being reminded of the world outside of himself. In recognizing that in life we often hold sorrow in one hand and joy in the other, and that each one is essential in awareness of our blessings and the presence of God. So with this I opened his baby book and found the prayers that my husband and I had written to him before he was born.

1.  From Dad: 

“My prayer for you is to be a good Catholic, and patriotic American. To live a life of honor, as you seek to follow Christ.”

2.  From Mom:

My prayer is that your life will be filled with happiness and laughter-surrounded by true friends and family. That you will be able to see the good in all things, to be the one to change and work for change when needed.”

3. As a Freshman this year, Peter passionately and persistently pleaded with us to attend Sacred Heart High School.  Not knowing how we would ever afford tuition with my husband being the only one working and with me in graduate school, we were hesitant. Yet, this is what changed our minds.. (Excerpt from his admissions essay.)

“Yet, if I had to had to identify what is most essential to me it would be my faith in God, and who I am because of that. I pray to God every day, and ask Him for forgiveness when I make mistakes. Likewise, I have chosen to serve as an altar server at my parish of St. Peter’s, since 3^rd grade to give back to God who has given so much to me. This is also why I find using the Lord’s name in vain disrespectful, rude and offensive. God is of number one importance to me, and those who disrespect Him, I believe, also disrespect me. I would like to attend Sacred Heart because I want to be in a community of people who appreciate and love Him as much as I do.”

So, while Peter is a still a typical teenager, and going to make his own mistakes in life, I am comforted in knowing that he is aware that God is there too. That the choices that he makes do not affect him alone, but influence and shape the world around him. Thank you Father, for the gift of our children, and for this day to celebrate and hold the sacredness of the gift of life in our hearts. For this day when this mom can throw her arms around her son who is now far taller than she is!