Raising Saints: Surrender

Surrender. It is a word that has taken on added meaning due to the popular novena by Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo. Those who pray the “Surrender Novena,” which Jesus gave to Fr. Dolindo, say the following prayer ten times: “O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!” Here begins the second hallmark in the series of learning about the parents of the saints and what they did to raise holy children: Surrender.

I once read an unpublished, translated biography of Fr. Dolindo. Before he could receive his First Holy Communion, Fr. Dolindo would often ask his mother to breathe on him after she received the Holy Eucharist. He loved the smell of Jesus before he could receive the Eucharist.

The sacraments ought to lead us to a life of surrender. With Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we know that we can face any storm that comes our way, for Jesus is literally dwelling in our souls. Often during our sufferings and trials, we can feel alone, as if we are the only person in the world who has undergone such pain. But we would be wise to read about the saints, including their parents.

Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin always dreamt of entering religious life. But those doors were closed by God. Louis’s struggles with Latin and his frail health prevented his entrance, while Zélie also had health issues. Dreams were shattered, but not for long. God was leading them to one another by undergoing similar trials. The couple was blessed with nine children, four of which sadly died before the age of the six. There is nothing harder for a married couple than to lose a child, let alone four of them. God was clearly putting Louis and Zélie Martin to the test. With God’s grace, this holy couple looked forward to being reunited with their little ones in Heaven.

In her forties, St. Zélie experienced another extraordinary cross when she developed breast cancer, which eventually claimed her life. At one point, she declared, “I am afraid of nothing: our Lord upholds me. The grace of each moment is sufficient, and I shall have that to the very end” (103). Zélie wanted to live, but at the same time, she also realized that God might have another plan, that is, “if I’m not cured, perhaps it’s because it would be more helpful for them if I go away” (112).

Surrender involves a continuous yes to God in the present moment, especially when life does not make sense, when uncertainty and future crosses appear more real than we think. Fear and anxiety are thieves of the present moment as they seek to steal our peace and joy. Surrender says boldly, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 6:11).

Surrender is never easy. When Maria Kolbe learned that her son St. Maximilian Kolbe and four other priests were arrested by the Nazis and put in prison, her heart was ripped to the core. Her son would eventually be transported to the Auschwitz concentration camp where he would be martyred. All during this trial, Maria was literally suffering with her son, just like Our Lady did at the foot of the Cross, next to her Beloved Son. Maria declared, “Physical and spiritual agony engulfs me” (132). Maria was also conflicted. She didn’t know whether praying for Maximilian’s release would be God’s will, so in the end, she said, “I am inspired to pray for what is most important—his sanctification and the glory of God” (132).

When Pope St. Pius X’s father died while he was in the seminary, he volunteered to leave his studies to help care for his siblings, as he was the second oldest of ten children. The family was poor, but St. Pius’s mother insisted that her son continue his studies, even if it meant they would continue to suffer financially. She trusted that God would provide for the family.

Many parents today may not endure the martyrdom of losing a child for the Faith or a spouse at a young age, but they face daily trials: illness, the loss of a child, financial hardship, or the heartbreak of a child leaving the Faith. These struggles can erode peace, leading anxious parents to raise anxious children.

Yet God calls us to a life of surrender, inviting us to foster saints who trust Him completely—no matter what challenges lie ahead or what doubts the devil sows. Surrender is the breath of the saints, who seek God’s will above all else and find peace in His Divine Providence.

So, let us pray: O Jesus, I surrender myself and my children to You. Take care of everything.

Editor’s Note: This article is part one of a series on the parents of saints by Patrick O’Hearn.

Image from Wikimedia Commons