Only a Miracle Will Help!

The world has been riveted by the case of the baby Charlie Gard, and the decision of a British hospital, a British court and the highest court in the European Union – to switch off the life-giving apparatus that is keeping the less-than-one-year-old baby alive. The world has responded by raising funds to make treatment in America possible.

On July 4, Francis McKinney  contacted Blessed Takayama Canonization Movement asking for prayers for the desperate baby, Charlie Gard.

“About four months ago, I discovered Blessed Takayama. I pray to him as often as I can.  Now, I am not sure if you are aware, but a 10-month old baby by the name of Charlie Gard was to be taken off of life support today for a terminal illness. The European Court had ruled that today was his last. Last night, my family and I knelt down and said a Rosary and prayed the prayer of Blessed Takayama. We asked him that if it was the Lord’s will, to let Charlie live. We asked that someone in power speak out — either Pope Francis or Donald Trump — so that they may influence the concrete decision. As we speak, Charlie Gard is supposed to have been dead.  Both Donald Trump and Pope Francis have made a statement regarding poor Charlie within hours of each other.

“I feel in my heart that Blessed Takayama, through the grace of our Lord, intervened and helped Charlie Gard.  If you need proof of my prayers, I took screenshots of my Twitter last night saying that I was praying to Blessed Takayama…”.

Immediately, an email was sent out to Prayer Warriors of Blessed Takayama — both lay devotees and religious congregations — in the Philippines and abroad, asking for prayers. Nothing elaborate, The Prayer formulated by Fr. Johannes Laures, SJ – which appears on the Takayama website (www.takayamaukon.com) — will do, followed by “Our Father” and “Hail Mary.”

But the situation remains desperate. Baby Charlie Gard is still in England, waiting for clearance to reach America – and a possible cure.

Please continue to pray for him. ◘

►BREAKING NEWS — (CNN) British baby Charlie Gard, who was at the center of a legal battle that captured the world’s attention, died Friday (July 28, 2017) — one week before his first birthday. “Our beautiful little boy has gone, we’re so proud of him,” his mother, Connie Yates, said in a statement.

Charlie was born on August 4, 2016, seemingly healthy. But two months into his short life his parents noticed his health was declining. They took him to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in October where he remained at least until Thursday.

Those of us who fervently implored Blessed Takayama to intercede with God for his well-being send their heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s parents and loved-ones at this very sad time. ◘

►Today (Saturday, July 29)  — At 6 PM, the Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon Canonization Movement is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church (Claret Church), Quezon City, officiated by Fr. DESIDERIO MARTIN, CMF, to celebrate the passage of the baby Charlie Gard to God’s Heaven yesterday – one week before his first birthday on August 4.

We do not grieve. We rejoice. And we invite you to be the additional “two or three” so the Lord will be in our midst. Wherever you are, please say a prayer too — not for Charlie alone – but for yourself and your loved ones, remembering we all teeter daily at the brink of our inevitable mortality. ◘

Dr. Ernesto A. de Pedro, Managing Trustee
Lord Takayama Jubilee Foundation