LEAVES Website for July-August 2025 Issue
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
Dear Readers:
While I was looking through some old letters I had stored away, I came across a letter that had been written to me back in June 1984. It was written on the back side of a prayer entitled: “THE FUTURE.” The author of that prayer was Gemma Trotter. I must admit I don’t know anything about Gemmer Trotter, but I found the prayer very inspiring. I believe it could also inspire you. So, why not share it with you? - Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
THE FUTURE
By Gemma Trotter
As I walk slowly, silently, gently out of the desert into the noise and frustration the future may hold, I know. I believe. I am chosen. A beloved disciple totally loved as I am in this moment of time. Don’t let me look back – don’t let me look too far forward. Just help me, Lord, to hold on tightly to the moment I clutch in my hand. For that is all I have.
I don’t really own that. You have only lent it to me, Lord. I’ll never have any more no matter how long I live. My hands can only hold one moment at a time. Help me, Lord, to care for this moment so precious. I may not be given another one. Help me to love it and live it to the fullest in your peace and your joy, out of love. Help me to use it so well, that it won’t really matter if I don’t receive another.
For this moment: so well loved in accord with your will, may take me with it. Who knows? Only you, Lord. As it slips silently and swiftly to its place in eternity, no moment returns, not even to be relived in perfection newfound, repaired, or renewed. Help me, Lord, to treasure each moment so graciously given that none will return to you broken or bleeding, empty or wasted. ???..but filled, really filled with the love of your Heart - the Love of the chosen – the true disciple, totally loved. The Love of ONE who has totally received and totally given.’’
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Spiritual Card Came
Just When Needed
I thank Mariannhill for sending the Spiritual Christmas card. I believe God had something to do with my receiving it because I have been going through the worst “hell” of my life. I have congestive heart failure and live alone.
I had a wonderful Irish husband who died 20 years ago. I am Italian (American-born). We spent three weeks in Italy, going to all the holy places. While there we met a Monsignor from Poland who knew St. Faustina, her whole family. Also, we met St. Faustina’s best friend in the convent. This happened in Stockbridge, Mass. at the beatification of St. Faustina.
In 2000 my husband and I were in Rome and attended her canonization. Both celebrations were beautiful. We were very blessed to attend.
I cannot believe what my children have done to me. I have a son who left in August of 2023 and I have not heard a word from him. My daughter came in my home in October of 2018 while I was at his home with his girlfriend. They are not married but have been together 30 years. I was at his home for two days and two nights before I came home and discovered an empty, huge, double closet in my dressing room where I had many winter outfits. Now all I had were hangers, but no clothes. She had come in and took everything, from bathrobes to shoes, to handbags, gowns and other clothing.
I sent my son and daughter to Catholic school and treated them wonderfully all my life. I am in a state of shock.
I have been a Carmelite for 30 years. I love it and I have met so many beautiful priests and people. My daughter makes fun of them. Sadly, she is the only one who can get food for me and take me to the doctor, but she treats me terribly in the car.
So, thank you for the card sent by Mariannhill. I love and pray for you all – C.M.M.
Prayer Needed
I am in need of prayer. I am all alone, as many of us find ourselves as we grow older. I do not have anyone to help me in the daily needs that I have, nor do I have anyone to pray for me, personally, that is. My family has either left the church or refused to teach the young ones even about the existence of God. We love each other, but that geographic distance and spiritual distance weighs so heavily on me.
Now I need surgery on my eyes and I can’t go without someone to accompany me and adequate transportation. Those are the clinic rules, so I am asking for strength to do what I need to do to prepare for the surgery and rehab and to find someone to escort me, even if I have to pay them.
Also, I am feeling numbness in my arms and head sometimes. So that is another concern. I get worried and depressed and even forget how to say my rosary sometimes. Most of the time my mind and movements are okay, though.
I am in a very unsuitable living condition. So I am praying that will change too. I just get so weak sometimes, and it seems that I am just falling apart! My friends are either deceased or have serious health issues so we can’t help each other.
I know there are so many who have problems so much worse than mine, but I need to be able to be as independent as possible. There is so much to do – so much sorting out, downsizing and getting things in order. It just seems that it all happened at once. I thought I was adequately prepared, but I wasn’t.
Thank you for reading this. Please pray for me. I thank God for LEAVES magazine and for all the readers. God bless you – H.B.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
I love receiving LEAVES magazine and the articles on Fr. Engelmar were very good. I pray to him now. The personal testimonies are very inspiring. Please pray for my special intentions. Thank you so much. My donation is to go towards my LEAVES cost, or wherever needed. God bless you all – Shirley W.
+ + +
A very big and special thank you to St. Therese, Our Lady of Lourdes, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Bl. Engelmar for petitions that were granted. I had to have a cancerous procedure done and the results were successful and it had not spread and the healing process is going well. I had an allergic reaction that took a few months to heal and has successfully been cleared. All was very concerning, but with prayer and trust I knew that all would be okay. When I received the news on the cancerous diagnosis, shortly after, I received a single rose from a family member for no reason and a bouquet with roses from someone else close to me. I knew then that St. Therese was hearing my request and that all would be fine. This was all over the holidays so it took a good amount of stress away. I have been blessed in so many ways and am so very thankful. Please use my donation where it is most needed – Name Withheld.
+ + +
I am sending a donation because so many saints and Mother Mary found my keys! It was truly a miracle that I looked where they were found. I prayed to: Ss. Gertrude, Joseph, Therese, Joseph of Cupertino, Odelia, Michael the Archangel, Ann, Faustina, Lucy, Jeanne and Bridget, the Holy Spirit, guardian angels, Shoulder Wound, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Chaplet of Mercy, Bl. Solanus Casey and Bl. Engelmar, and others. We all need to pray for one another. Please, Mariannhill Fathers, continue the great work you are doing for us! Love and Prayers - Joan B.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer of
Self-Dedication to Jesus
By St. Ignatius Loyola
Teach us, Good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not need the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will.
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am, all that I have, you have given to me, and I will give it back to you to be disposed of according to your good pleasure.
Give me your love and your graces; with you I am rich enough, nor do I ask for anything besides. Amen.
(St. Ignatius, 1491-1556, founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, was a Spanish soldier who, after being wounded, converted to Christ. Feast: July 31.)
Queenship of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, that we, who celebrate the solemnity of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may be defended by her protection, and be worthy to obtain peace, in the present and glory in the future. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
[The Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 22.]
Our Great God
By Margaret Peterson
Look around you at the world!
It’s no accident,
But something beautiful made by God,
Ruler of the firmament.
We could never have come to be
If it weren’t part of a plan
That started millions of years ago,
Long before people began.
Praise Him whenever you wake in the morning,
Praise Him all through the day
By using your time the way that you should,
Living and walking God’s way.
A Senior’s Prayer
By Fran Zeglen
When I was young
and life was new,
even climbing mountains
was easy to do!
Now that I’m old,
so fragile and frail,
it wears me out
just opening the mail!
Thanks, dear Lord, for these days,
the many months and years
that brought much joy and happiness
mingled with tears.
Help me to love and follow You
and when these days are through,
please take me to my home above –
eternal life anew!
When Trouble Comes
By Kathleen Fessler
When trouble comes and burdens me
With dread to face tomorrow,
Stealing from me peace and joy,
Replaced by loads of sorrow,
I look to You, Lord, seeking rescue;
There’s no place else to turn.
My only hope is in You.
For comfort now I yearn.
I’m feeling like a drowning man,
His life preserver grasping tight,
Holding on the best he can.
I cling to You with all my might.
Now your words bring comfort:
“Fear not,” you say to me.
Your Spirit brings such sweet support;
You’ll not abandon me.
You show me that I’m not alone;
All earth is full of mayhem.
There are sorrows others own,
And we should comfort them.
Instruments of Good Works
(In St. Benedict’s Rule)
O Lord,
I place myself in your hands
and dedicate myself to you.
I pledge myself to do your will in all things —
To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength.
Not to kill,
Not to steal,
Not to covet,
Not to bear false witness,
To honor all persons.
Not to do to another what I should not wish done to myself.
To chastise the body.
Not to seek after pleasures.
To love fasting.
To relieve the poor.
To clothe the naked.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.
To help in trouble.
To console the sorrowing.
To hold myself aloof from worldly ways.
To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Not to give way to anger.
Not to foster a desire for revenge.
Not to entertain deceit in the heart.
Not to make a false peace.
Not to forsake charity.
Not to swear, lest I swear falsely.
To speak the truth with heart and tongue.
Not to return evil for evil.
To do no injury, indeed, even to bear patiently any injury done to me,
to love my enemies.
Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them.
To bear persecution for justice’ sake.
Not to be proud.
Not to be given to intoxicating drink.
Not to be an overeater.
Not to be lazy.
Not to be slothful.
Not to be a murmurer.
Not to be a detractor.
To put my trust in God.
To refer the good I see in myself to God.
To refer any evil I see in myself to myself.
To fear the day of judgment.
To be in dread of hell.
To desire eternal life with spiritual longing.
To keep death before my eyes daily.
To keep constant watch over my actions.
To remember that God sees me everywhere.
To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arise in my heart.
To guard my tongue against wicked speech.
To avoid much speaking.
To avoid idle talk.
Not to seek to appear clever.
To read only what is good to read.
To pray often.
To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life.
To obey my superiors in all things rightful.
Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.
To fulfill the commandments of God by good works.
To love chastity.
To hate no one.
Not to be jealous or envious of anyone.
Not to love strife.
Not to love pride.
To honor the aged.
To pray for my enemies.
to make peace after a quarrel,
before the setting of the sun.
Never to despair of your mercy,
O God of Mercy. Amen.
(St. Benedict of Nursia, c. 480-547, an abbot, called the great Father of Western Monasticism is patron of Europe. Feast: July 11.)
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
Dear Readers:
While I was looking through some old letters I had stored away, I came across a letter that had been written to me back in June 1984. It was written on the back side of a prayer entitled: “THE FUTURE.” The author of that prayer was Gemma Trotter. I must admit I don’t know anything about Gemmer Trotter, but I found the prayer very inspiring. I believe it could also inspire you. So, why not share it with you? - Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
THE FUTURE
By Gemma Trotter
As I walk slowly, silently, gently out of the desert into the noise and frustration the future may hold, I know. I believe. I am chosen. A beloved disciple totally loved as I am in this moment of time. Don’t let me look back – don’t let me look too far forward. Just help me, Lord, to hold on tightly to the moment I clutch in my hand. For that is all I have.
I don’t really own that. You have only lent it to me, Lord. I’ll never have any more no matter how long I live. My hands can only hold one moment at a time. Help me, Lord, to care for this moment so precious. I may not be given another one. Help me to love it and live it to the fullest in your peace and your joy, out of love. Help me to use it so well, that it won’t really matter if I don’t receive another.
For this moment: so well loved in accord with your will, may take me with it. Who knows? Only you, Lord. As it slips silently and swiftly to its place in eternity, no moment returns, not even to be relived in perfection newfound, repaired, or renewed. Help me, Lord, to treasure each moment so graciously given that none will return to you broken or bleeding, empty or wasted. ???..but filled, really filled with the love of your Heart - the Love of the chosen – the true disciple, totally loved. The Love of ONE who has totally received and totally given.’’
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Spiritual Card Came
Just When Needed
I thank Mariannhill for sending the Spiritual Christmas card. I believe God had something to do with my receiving it because I have been going through the worst “hell” of my life. I have congestive heart failure and live alone.
I had a wonderful Irish husband who died 20 years ago. I am Italian (American-born). We spent three weeks in Italy, going to all the holy places. While there we met a Monsignor from Poland who knew St. Faustina, her whole family. Also, we met St. Faustina’s best friend in the convent. This happened in Stockbridge, Mass. at the beatification of St. Faustina.
In 2000 my husband and I were in Rome and attended her canonization. Both celebrations were beautiful. We were very blessed to attend.
I cannot believe what my children have done to me. I have a son who left in August of 2023 and I have not heard a word from him. My daughter came in my home in October of 2018 while I was at his home with his girlfriend. They are not married but have been together 30 years. I was at his home for two days and two nights before I came home and discovered an empty, huge, double closet in my dressing room where I had many winter outfits. Now all I had were hangers, but no clothes. She had come in and took everything, from bathrobes to shoes, to handbags, gowns and other clothing.
I sent my son and daughter to Catholic school and treated them wonderfully all my life. I am in a state of shock.
I have been a Carmelite for 30 years. I love it and I have met so many beautiful priests and people. My daughter makes fun of them. Sadly, she is the only one who can get food for me and take me to the doctor, but she treats me terribly in the car.
So, thank you for the card sent by Mariannhill. I love and pray for you all – C.M.M.
Prayer Needed
I am in need of prayer. I am all alone, as many of us find ourselves as we grow older. I do not have anyone to help me in the daily needs that I have, nor do I have anyone to pray for me, personally, that is. My family has either left the church or refused to teach the young ones even about the existence of God. We love each other, but that geographic distance and spiritual distance weighs so heavily on me.
Now I need surgery on my eyes and I can’t go without someone to accompany me and adequate transportation. Those are the clinic rules, so I am asking for strength to do what I need to do to prepare for the surgery and rehab and to find someone to escort me, even if I have to pay them.
Also, I am feeling numbness in my arms and head sometimes. So that is another concern. I get worried and depressed and even forget how to say my rosary sometimes. Most of the time my mind and movements are okay, though.
I am in a very unsuitable living condition. So I am praying that will change too. I just get so weak sometimes, and it seems that I am just falling apart! My friends are either deceased or have serious health issues so we can’t help each other.
I know there are so many who have problems so much worse than mine, but I need to be able to be as independent as possible. There is so much to do – so much sorting out, downsizing and getting things in order. It just seems that it all happened at once. I thought I was adequately prepared, but I wasn’t.
Thank you for reading this. Please pray for me. I thank God for LEAVES magazine and for all the readers. God bless you – H.B.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
I love receiving LEAVES magazine and the articles on Fr. Engelmar were very good. I pray to him now. The personal testimonies are very inspiring. Please pray for my special intentions. Thank you so much. My donation is to go towards my LEAVES cost, or wherever needed. God bless you all – Shirley W.
+ + +
A very big and special thank you to St. Therese, Our Lady of Lourdes, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Bl. Engelmar for petitions that were granted. I had to have a cancerous procedure done and the results were successful and it had not spread and the healing process is going well. I had an allergic reaction that took a few months to heal and has successfully been cleared. All was very concerning, but with prayer and trust I knew that all would be okay. When I received the news on the cancerous diagnosis, shortly after, I received a single rose from a family member for no reason and a bouquet with roses from someone else close to me. I knew then that St. Therese was hearing my request and that all would be fine. This was all over the holidays so it took a good amount of stress away. I have been blessed in so many ways and am so very thankful. Please use my donation where it is most needed – Name Withheld.
+ + +
I am sending a donation because so many saints and Mother Mary found my keys! It was truly a miracle that I looked where they were found. I prayed to: Ss. Gertrude, Joseph, Therese, Joseph of Cupertino, Odelia, Michael the Archangel, Ann, Faustina, Lucy, Jeanne and Bridget, the Holy Spirit, guardian angels, Shoulder Wound, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Chaplet of Mercy, Bl. Solanus Casey and Bl. Engelmar, and others. We all need to pray for one another. Please, Mariannhill Fathers, continue the great work you are doing for us! Love and Prayers - Joan B.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer of
Self-Dedication to Jesus
By St. Ignatius Loyola
Teach us, Good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not count the cost; to fight and not need the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will.
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am, all that I have, you have given to me, and I will give it back to you to be disposed of according to your good pleasure.
Give me your love and your graces; with you I am rich enough, nor do I ask for anything besides. Amen.
(St. Ignatius, 1491-1556, founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, was a Spanish soldier who, after being wounded, converted to Christ. Feast: July 31.)
Queenship of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, that we, who celebrate the solemnity of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may be defended by her protection, and be worthy to obtain peace, in the present and glory in the future. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
[The Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 22.]
Our Great God
By Margaret Peterson
Look around you at the world!
It’s no accident,
But something beautiful made by God,
Ruler of the firmament.
We could never have come to be
If it weren’t part of a plan
That started millions of years ago,
Long before people began.
Praise Him whenever you wake in the morning,
Praise Him all through the day
By using your time the way that you should,
Living and walking God’s way.
A Senior’s Prayer
By Fran Zeglen
When I was young
and life was new,
even climbing mountains
was easy to do!
Now that I’m old,
so fragile and frail,
it wears me out
just opening the mail!
Thanks, dear Lord, for these days,
the many months and years
that brought much joy and happiness
mingled with tears.
Help me to love and follow You
and when these days are through,
please take me to my home above –
eternal life anew!
When Trouble Comes
By Kathleen Fessler
When trouble comes and burdens me
With dread to face tomorrow,
Stealing from me peace and joy,
Replaced by loads of sorrow,
I look to You, Lord, seeking rescue;
There’s no place else to turn.
My only hope is in You.
For comfort now I yearn.
I’m feeling like a drowning man,
His life preserver grasping tight,
Holding on the best he can.
I cling to You with all my might.
Now your words bring comfort:
“Fear not,” you say to me.
Your Spirit brings such sweet support;
You’ll not abandon me.
You show me that I’m not alone;
All earth is full of mayhem.
There are sorrows others own,
And we should comfort them.
Instruments of Good Works
(In St. Benedict’s Rule)
O Lord,
I place myself in your hands
and dedicate myself to you.
I pledge myself to do your will in all things —
To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength.
Not to kill,
Not to steal,
Not to covet,
Not to bear false witness,
To honor all persons.
Not to do to another what I should not wish done to myself.
To chastise the body.
Not to seek after pleasures.
To love fasting.
To relieve the poor.
To clothe the naked.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.
To help in trouble.
To console the sorrowing.
To hold myself aloof from worldly ways.
To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
Not to give way to anger.
Not to foster a desire for revenge.
Not to entertain deceit in the heart.
Not to make a false peace.
Not to forsake charity.
Not to swear, lest I swear falsely.
To speak the truth with heart and tongue.
Not to return evil for evil.
To do no injury, indeed, even to bear patiently any injury done to me,
to love my enemies.
Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them.
To bear persecution for justice’ sake.
Not to be proud.
Not to be given to intoxicating drink.
Not to be an overeater.
Not to be lazy.
Not to be slothful.
Not to be a murmurer.
Not to be a detractor.
To put my trust in God.
To refer the good I see in myself to God.
To refer any evil I see in myself to myself.
To fear the day of judgment.
To be in dread of hell.
To desire eternal life with spiritual longing.
To keep death before my eyes daily.
To keep constant watch over my actions.
To remember that God sees me everywhere.
To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arise in my heart.
To guard my tongue against wicked speech.
To avoid much speaking.
To avoid idle talk.
Not to seek to appear clever.
To read only what is good to read.
To pray often.
To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life.
To obey my superiors in all things rightful.
Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness.
To fulfill the commandments of God by good works.
To love chastity.
To hate no one.
Not to be jealous or envious of anyone.
Not to love strife.
Not to love pride.
To honor the aged.
To pray for my enemies.
to make peace after a quarrel,
before the setting of the sun.
Never to despair of your mercy,
O God of Mercy. Amen.
(St. Benedict of Nursia, c. 480-547, an abbot, called the great Father of Western Monasticism is patron of Europe. Feast: July 11.)