Happy feast of Bl. Chiara “Luce” Badano! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell talk more about this incredible witness who died in 1990 just before her 19th birthday. Guests include Steven Howard from In Defense of Christians to discuss how the Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict is affecting Christians, Brendan Hodge on working toward a more Christlike view of economics, Bobby Schindler from the Terri Schiavo life and hope network on some deeply troubling recent euthanasia laws in Europe, and pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast with tips for better sleep hygiene ahead of this weekend’s time change. Plus news, weather, sports and a whole lot more…
Steven Howard is online at indefenseofchristians.org.
Bobby Schindler is online at lifeandhope.com.
Brendan Hodge, author of If You Can Get It
Kevin Prendergast is online at athenaeum.edu.
Dr. John Bergsma is online at franciscan.edu.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Fr. Daniel Moloney, author of Mercy: What Every Catholic Should Know
Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.
Marlon de la Torre is online at catholicbrain.com.
Fr. Sebastian Walshe, author of Secrets from Heaven
Karlo Broussard is online at catholic.com.
Elizabeth Scalia is online at theanchoress.com.
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Prayer to Bl. Chiara Badano
Blessed Chiara, you were born to a truck driver and his wife who had prayed for over a decade to have a child. You had a healthy, happy childhood and joined the Focolare movement at the age of nine. This group was an organization promoting unity and universal kinship, focusing on the image of the Sorrowful Christ. As a teenager, you enjoyed hiking, swimming, tennis, dancing, going out for coffee with friends, and listening to pop music. You were sometimes teased at school for your orthodox beliefs, earning the nickname ‘Sister Chiara’.
At the age of sixteen, you had a nagging pain in your shoulder. Further tests revealed it to be bone cancer. You refused morphine for the pain because you wanted to offer this suffering to Jesus. Every time a lock of hair fell you would say, “For You, Jesus.” Another patient who had cancer was full of despair, so you went for walks with her to lift her spirits. Even though these walks helped her immensely, they caused you great pain. When the cancer affected your ability to walk and it was apparent that it would be fatal, you showed no signs of distress, but said, “If I had to choose between walking again and going to heaven, I wouldn’t hesitate. I would choose heaven.” Everyone who visited you came away inspired by your courage, faith, and the light that shone in your eyes. You died at the age of eighteen after a two year battle with cancer.
Blessed Chiara, as an adolescent who had lived in the modern world and knew all its temptations and pitfalls, you declared to your mother, “Oh Mamma, young people…young people…they are the future. You see, I can’t run anymore, but how I would like to pass on to them the torch, like in the Olympics! Young people have only one life and it’s worthwhile to spend it well.” Pray for all teenagers, that they may grow strongly in faith and love of our Lord as you did. Blessed Chiara, you offered your suffering in union with Christ. Encourage all those with physical or mental issues to do the same. Blessed Chiara, you insisted on wearing a white wedding dress for your funeral, because you saw your death as your wedding union with Christ. Pray for the all those who are dying this day. Amen.
