Today is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola.  He was a soldier who was wounded in battle and came to know Jesus through religious books he was given to read during his recuperation.  He founded a Catholic religious order called, The Society of Jesus and is known for his “spiritual exercises.”  

St. Ignatius apparently weathered a bout of depression early in his conversion and the following is a prayer that is attributed to him.  How wonderful it would be if all of us who read this post would take the time to pray this prayer for those who struggle with any difficulty.  In a sense, we would be a special community of believers supporting each other.

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.

By Saint Ignatius of Loyola 

Biography of St. Ignatius: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07639c.htm

Photo by ECastro, Wikimedia Commons