Before today I had never heard the name Father Dolindo Ruotolo. I couldn’t have picked him out of a lineup or told you one thing about him. But for some reason when his name was mentioned today in the Hallow app referring to his Surrender Novena, a light went off in my head telling me I needed to know more.
So, who is Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo?
Some call him a priest prophet. Padre Pio called him a saint. He called himself, “Mary’s little old man.” Fr. Dolindo lived from 1882- 1970 in Naples, Italy. His cause of canonization is currently underway in the church. His name is quite fitting as it means “suffering” and he actively suffered for others through penance. Although Fr. Dolindo suffered from arthritis and became paralyzed the last ten years of his life, his demeanor was only described as “joyous.” He was an avid writer who authored many books and 33 volumes of Commentary on the Holy Scripture. Thousands who were suffering sought him out for comfort to which he prescribed the “Divine remedy: divine obedience to the Will of God mixed with daily drops of the Hail Mary.” Personally, I think his greatest gift to us is the Novena of Surrender to the Will of God, in which Jesus gave him the words.
Since I can only describe my intense desire to know this prayer as divine intercession, I thought we could spend the next nine days learning more about Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo and praying the Novena of Surrender to the Will of God.
Day 1:
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!
Reflection:
The word “effect’ is what stood out most to me. I think it’s important to remember that Jesus is not a wish maker when we pray to Him. He is not going to magically grant us whatever we desire. To me, the “effect” we desire refers more to a state of mind, an inner peace or contentment. That if we can truly surrender to God’s will, we will find joy. My mind knows that, I understand that, I just can’t do that. Yet…