May 22, 2022

Dear St. Martin of Tours Family and Friends,

A thousand prayers do not equal one act of abandonment!

Don (Fr.) Dolindo Ruotolo, a priest from Naples who lived from 1882-1970, was known in his lifetime as a miracle worker, a suffering soul, a holy priest, and a man learned in Sacred Scripture. When pilgrims from Naples, would visit Padre Pio in Pietrelcina, St. Pio would tell them: “Why do you come here, if you have Don Dolindo in Naples? Go to him, he’s a saint!”

The simple priest is recently becoming known for his spirituality of surrender. While inviting us to continually bring our worries and concerns to the Lord, Fr. Dolindo encouraged us, once having brought our needs to God, to be at peace, leaving Our good Lord free to care for us in His wisdom. Jesus spoke to Fr. Dolindo these words:

Why are you upset and agitated? Leave your cares to Me and all will be fine. I tell you honestly, every act of true and blind reliance on Me, results in what you desire and will resolve all your difficulties. Abandonment in Me does not mean being frustrated, becom- ing anxious and desperate, offering Me your anxious prayer, that I may follow you and have your anxiety be a prayer. Abandonment means to shut the eyes of your soul in peace, moving your thoughts away from your troubles, and instead of thinking about your worries and pain, let Me take over your troubles. Simply say: Jesus, You take over. To be worried, restless, and to think of the consequences of an event is the opposite of reliance, it is really contrary to it. It is like a child, who wants his mom to take care of his needs, but in the way he wants: and with his whims and childish ideas he hampers her work. Shut your eyes and go with the flow of My grace. Do not ponder over your present moment and put away thoughts of your future as a temptation; rest in Me, believe in My goodness and I swear on My Love, that if you think like this: Jesus, You take over, I indeed will do it for you, I will comfort you, free you, and guide you.”

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. (...) A thousand prayers do not equal one act of abandonment; don’t ever forget it. There is no better novena than these eleven words:

O Jesus, I abandon myself to you.

Many healings and favors have been granted those who went to Fr. Dolindo and followed his advice!

I have been praying with Fr. Dolindo’s novena regularly, and it has helped with my anxiety, especially during uncertain times. Fr. Dolindo is currently a Servant of God. His cause for beatification is open.