I’d like to ask you all to include a special request in your prayers, if I may. I have a friend whose wife has filed for divorce. He has been fighting to save the marriage, but to no avail at this point (especially since the system is so slanted against saving the marriage). So now, he is going through a custody evaluation regarding his two daughters. His wife wants full custody and limit his access to a few hours a week and every other weekend. He wants equal custody and shared access so he can maintain a meaningful relationship with his children. Keep in mind that one of these two girls was near death with an illness just 18 months ago.
Please pray for my friend, his wife, and their daughters.
In most states, unfortunately, the judge will side with the woman, especially if the children are of “tender years.” That both are daughters doesn’t help his case for joint custody. I was lucky; my “wife” deserted without cause, and I insisted on joint custody. Not that it meant much. But now that my son is out of high school and his mom ran off with some guy and moved away, I can finally build a meaningful relationship with him—on our own terms.
I’ll remember him in my prayers at Mass tomorrow. He’s gonna need them—and a cut-throat lawyer wouldn’t hurt either.
I can’t think of anything more than a divorce and I am a priest. I will certainly pray for your friend, his wife, and their daughters. May Mary, Joseph, and Jesus be with them and guide them.
Sorry, I was trying to say, “I can’t think of anything more painful than a divorce.”
My wife left when my kids were 22 months and 3 1/2 years. I maintained sole custody of my children, but the
post-divorce battles were painful and harrowing. By God’s grace my son is now 19 and my daughter is 21. He guided me through all of the years with them.
I will pray for your friend, the children and his wife and hope that they can resolve their problems for the well-being of their children and for peace in their souls.
I gave up grudges and anger long ago…so there is no bitterness hanging around the kids. Nor between me and their mom.
But he has my prayers and my best wishes.
I am sorry to hear this, it must be very painful for your friend and the children as well. Here is a prayer that he may find helpful, it is most effacious. Also there are patrons of difficult marriages such as, Catherine of Genoa, Edward the Confessor, St. Monica and St. Thomas More. He can ask for their intercession.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me.
Amen.
I pray that all is resolved and that they will stay together.
God bless them
Dom, We’ll remember them in our prayers.
The Church has got to address the prevelance of a divorce mentality among the faithful/people. In the olden days, or so I have heard, a Catholic knew that once he married, that was it…….there was no option of divorce.
Now if one spouse isn’t “happy” that’s enough to justify a marital break.
Not that it matters but I’d bet that the illness had something to do with where they find themselves. God bless them. Certainly the courts won’t.