"O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!“ These are the words that JESUS gave to Father Dolindo Ruotolo, a holy priest living in Naples, Italy (1882- 1970). They are the words repeated ten times at the end of each day of his SURRENDER NOVENA.

Father Don Dolindo Ruotolo is already recognized a SERVANT OF GOD, the first step in the canonization process. Like his neighbor, friend and contemporary Padre Pio, God gave him the Gift of Stigmata. One day, he is expected to be declared a Saint. In his prayer life, Father Ruotolo was blessed to hear Jesus speak to him (locutions). All the words included in his SURRENDER NOVENA came from Jesus directly.

Have you ever heard of Father Dolindo's Surrender Novena?

Now you have!

I heard about this NOVENA for the first time only last week as I was attending a Silent Retreat for Priests. It was given to me in spiritual direction as I met one on one with the Retreat Master. I had mentioned to him my own desire to surrender to God totally, to give myself totally to JESUS: TOTUS TUUS (Totally yours) through the Consecration to Jesus through Mary, the Consecration Prayer we repeat in our parish three times a year on the three major Marian Feasts: Immaculate Conception, Annunciation and Assumption (following the 33 days of consecration preparation by St Louis de Montfort).

I found Father Dolindo's Novena simple and powerful. You can find the entire Novena (click here). To give you a flavor of Father Dolindo's direct communication from Jesus, here is the FIRST DAY OF THE NOVENA:

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!” (10 times)

As we prepare to enter in a new Lenten Season, may we all reflect on what it means to surrender to Jesus and how it can change our daily life. Why do we worry? Jesus is in charge! We are not! Jesus, help us to surrender to You! Jesus, do everything for us!

O Jesus, help me to do Your will, not mine! Help me to surrender to You! Whenever I face a challenging and difficult situation, help me to remember what you told Father Dolindo. Jesus, at the very moment of any major decision or worry, listen to my prayer: TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING as I surrender to You!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain