Pope Francis' grandmother

Pope Francis' father in the middle with his parents

Pope Francis frequently mentions a prayer that his grandmother Margerita Rosa Vasallo had given to all her grand-children many years ago. He actually keeps this prayer in his breviary and read sit every day. The prayer is most consoling and maybe we should keep it in our prayer books too. Here is the prayer: “May you have a long and pleasant life. But if someday sorrow or sickness is troubling you, or even if the death of a loved one fills your hearts with remorse and grief, remember that a cry and sigh in front of the Tabernacle can pour a tiny drop of balsam on the deepest wounds you may feel. Because that’s where the greatest and holiest martyr resides, and also look at Mary as she stands beneath the cross of her dying Son. That is where you will find the most comforting consolation you will ever need.”