IN PRAYER WITH B. ALBERTO MARVELLI Rimini, Church of St.

Augustine July 2013

In communion with Alberto, we lift our prayers of praise to God for His wonderful creation, praying that He may stretch out His hand upon the young people, gathered at the World Youth Day in Brazil, this month of August.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

1 - THE CREATION RECOUNTS THE MIRACLE OF LORDS PRESENCE From the Book of Job, 38 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said: Who is this who darkens counsel with words of ignorance? Gird up your loins now, like a man; I will question you, and you tell me the answers! Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its size? Surely you know? Who stretched out the measuring line for it? Into what were its pedestals sunk, and who laid its cornerstone, While the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God* shouted for joy? Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb, When I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door, And said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves stop? Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place. For taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from it? The earth is changed as clay by the seal, and dyed like a garment; But from the wicked their light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about on the bottom of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know it all. What is the way to the dwelling of light, and darknesswhere is its place? That you may take it to its

territory and know the paths to its home? You know, because you were born then, and the number of your days is great! Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, and seen the storehouses of the hail Which I have reserved for times of distress, for a day of war and battle? What is the way to the parting of the winds, where the east wind spreads over the earth? Who has laid out a channel for the downpour and a path for the thunderstorm. To bring rain to uninhabited land, the unpeopled wilderness; to drench the desolate wasteland till the desert blooms with verdure? Has the rain a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb comes the ice, and who gives the hoarfrost its birth in the skies, When the waters lie covered as though with stone that holds captive the surface of the deep? Have you tied cords to the Pleiades, or loosened the bonds of Orion? Can you bring forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or guide the Bear with her children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens; can you put into effect their plan on the earth? Can you raise your voice to the clouds, for them to cover you with a deluge of waters? Can you send forth the lightnings on their way, that they say to you, Here we are? Who gives wisdom to the ibis, and gives the rooster understanding? Who counts the clouds with wisdom? Who tilts the water jars of heaven? So that the dust of earth is fused into a mass and its clods stick together? Do you hunt the prey for the lion or appease the hunger of young lions, while they crouch in their dens, or lie in ambush in the thicket? Who provides nourishment for the raven when its young cry out to God, wandering about without food?

From the Writings of Alberto Marvelli If I have not love God, I think I would not be in loved being in the mountains. What peace, what peace, what a beauty! Everything on nature speaks about God, from the majestic icy peaks, to the lush green lawns, flower humbles heavenly sky studded with diamond lit stars: from the bubbling waterfall out of the rock boulders! So simple, so humbling, but at the same time full of such force and conviction that it is truly impossible not to see and recognize the working hand of the Creator! Only the infinite and merciful God could create something so beautiful and captivating. Our soul is taken in contemplation, forgetting that we are still on earth, beholding this foretaste of Heaven. The mountain speaks about His creation, His everlasting Life, and the infinite goodness of the Lord. (Diary, September 1938)

Intercessions - Lord, You who are generous in gifts, may your spirit of kindness dwell upon the earth made everything new, because you are dwelling with us, and we are your covenanted faithful. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Lord, we cannot fathom Your infinite mysteries, and the unexpected ways in which You intervene. For all that does not known You, we ask that their life be filled with grace, and be joined with us in unending hymn of praise. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Lord, You created the heavenly constellations, but You had made yourself enthroned in mans heart. Thank You for being our only hope. We pray not only for ourselves but for all the young people sojourning to you: help to open our eyes to see what is beautiful, to open our spirit to behold what is true and holy, to open our hearts to love and be loved. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us.

Pause of silence and personal reflection

2. ALL THE CREATION SING PRAISES TO GOD Psalm 148 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you his angels; give praise, all you his hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens. Let them all praise the LORDs name; for he commanded and they were created, Assigned them their station forever, set an order that will never change. Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all the deeps of the sea; Lightning and hail, snow and thick clouds, storm wind that fulfills his command; Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; Animals wild and tame, creatures that crawl and birds that fly; Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all who govern on earth; Young men and women too, old and young alike. Let them all praise the LORDs name, for his name alone is exalted, His majesty above earth and heaven. He has lifted high the horn of his people; to the praise of all his faithful, the Israelites, the people near to him. Hallelujah!

From the Writings of Alberto Marvelli Behold the clouds, the beautiful setting crimson sun, slowly changing its hue to brown embracing the dark black night. The clear sky changes into baby blue, mixed with its airy mists. The moon, with its pale light illuminates the darkness of the night with its mournful glow seems to gaze upon humanity restful sleep, while on the other hand it touches the busy struggles and battles of life...in the midst of this solitude, I feel completely different, like a fantasy that spans in a wide field losing in infinite. The thoughts that has dominated me throughout the day not more than happily, more beautiful, and fills my heart with good poetry. A sweet peace fills my heart and makes me enjoy a sweet excitement and joy that I tried in vain from the fun and noise of the passing day. The blue mountains that surround me, silhouetted against the great blue sky, deciding to push upward to heaven, seems to impart its secured joy and strength that flows from the heart. And out from my soul, a song of gratitude and praise to God bursts forth, hopefully it goes up to Him like a pure fragrance, like the sweet misty mountain air. (Meditations: The night at the mountain) Prayer They are beautiful to the hopeful eyes these fields in the heavenly firmament shaded by the night. My God, in these deserts my eye finds and follows Your miraculous presence! These starry choirs glittering your fingers only leads me to admiration as everything sings and teaches me. As they praise God in their own firmament, what are they? Atomy majestic in immensity, eternal in every minute, no longer a passing shadow. I am nothing, Lord, but my thirst and longing for you consumes me. The man is nothing, my God, but he adores you. In these blue heavenly fields, your splendour flood away as You always watch over me. (Alphonse Lamartine) Intercessions - Lord, we pray for our Catholic Church, and for us who are the Church. Illumine by Your light, make us worthy to sing, a song full of gratitude to Your Most Glorious Trinity. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Albert, Lord hear us. - Help us, Lord to sing our praise for your creative and redemptive action. May our songs be an hymn of praise and thanks for every being You have parted Your breath of life. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Albert, Lord hear us.

Pause of silence and personal reflection

3 - CREATION IS GODS GIFT TO US, TO BE PRESERVED WITH CARE AND GENEROSITY From the book of Genesis (2,4-20) Such is the story of the heavens and the earth at their creation. At the time when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens while as yet there was no field shrub on earth and no grass of the field had sprouted, for the LORD God had sent no rain upon the earth and there was no man to till the soil, but a stream was welling up out of the earth and was watering all the surface of the ground the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. A river rises in Eden to water the garden; beyond there it divides and becomes four branches. [] The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. [] So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals.

From the Writings of Alberto Marvelli Mothers need to educate the mind, the character, the heart and the will of the children, inculcating them the truth of the faith revealed by Christ Jesus. Because it is through these religious interest of children from an early age, which follows them throughout their childhood, adolescence and youth, will take them away from worldly snares, educated in God, surely they will never astray from the lessons learned. They must not forget and set aside the observed divine law, the social law must be respected and uphold, the human solidarity to face and accept, to see that outside in the comfort of their families, there is a world of poor and suffering, for which they must be prepared and able to sacrifice something of their own. (Political speeches)

Prayer Praise be my Lord for the unity of all things: may each object and man envelops His Word may every form is His epiphany to man. Let the earth be His country, and all mans faces be made as one. Praise be my Lord for the good former things, for the eyes that beheld us to contemplate these things. Praise be my Lord, because there are children and women: because you made man great and unending in his concern. Praise be my Lord, for our homes, and for these sturdy machines and beautiful cities: because there is nothing profane in the work of man. Praise be the man, a brother to every creature, help and friend of my Lord. Praise Him because He is great he talks to me and loves me, and he made man great. Praise Him for our existence and creation we benefited our own joy. Praise the Lord for all my sadness and pain, and for every drop of joy, hidden in all things. Amen. (David Maria Turoldo)

Intercessions - Lord, help us all, especially the youth not to fear the turmoil and unrest, which does not leave the beauty you created. Help us to serve even in the midst of these, to be continuous and tireless servants of Your love. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Help us Lord, for often we are fearful to know the truth, cautious to be involved, greedy not to share and cowards to take actions. Guide us that we may not cower and close in our selfishness. Grant us strength to make our lives useful and fruitful in Your love. We pray to You. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Lord, we pray particularly for the youth, that they may become responsible, and full of hope. May they surrender and resign themselves to you, and be granted peace of mind in daily living. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us - Lord, thank you for the certainty that all our human efforts will come up for your greater glory. Help our hearts be close to you, and our hands and minds keep in the fulfilled determination of our daily duties. We pray to you. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us.

Personal Prayers

Prayer to ask for the Intercession of Blessed Alberto Marvelli

O God, Almighty Merciful Father, we thank you for giving us Alberto, as a sign of Your love for us. We contemplate the marvels that You have done in his life: the solid prayer life, the generous social and political commitment, a burning love for the poor. He constantly practices the heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity. We ask You Father, through the intercession of Your servant Alberto, grant us to imitate his virtues and become like him a witness of Your love in the world. Heal us and grant us all spiritual and material graces we are in need (state your intentions) so that we, like him may we unconditionally love and serve your Church and to strive for peace and salvation of mankind. May the countless answered prayers, be a constant reminder of your love and saving power, as we work for the canonization of Blessed Alberto Marvelli and for evangelization on these Year of Faith. Amen

* English translation by Ronald Que (in loving memory of Teresita Nengasca Que *May 11, 1936 + March 12, 2012 devoted mother).