Hi Paige,

I want to thank you immensely for the work you do.  Your work has saved the lives and time of many women, including myself, from liars, manipulators, and non-committal people. 

I also wanted to share how your advice helped me. 

Your dating advice on vetting always recommend looking through a guy’s social media accounts and posts to have an idea of what he is like and how he treats the past women in his life, to know how he will treat you, because like you always say: the best predictor of future behaviour is past behavior. 

PS – She is also referring to my Facebook post that I shared HERE

A guy was trying to date me in the past couple of months, and before I agreed to a first date, I searched for his social media accounts.  During our pre-date chats, he would often tell me that the reason why he broke up from his ex was because she was very controlling, suffocating and jealous, and that she was always accusing him of staring at other women when it wasn’t true, and so he couldn’t take it anymore.  

He said they dated for 5 years and made it seem like it was he who walked away from the relationship

I had a sneaking feeling that he was trying to condition me ahead of time – so that if he starts staring at other women when with he is with me,  I would simply shut up and not be like his ex. 

So I quietly and anonymously scrolled through his Facebook posts. I didn’t add him on Facebook and luckily for me, his profile was open and he had a lot of public posts. During the time they were together, he posted many pictures of them together, on trips and so on. The timeline of the relationship was accurate, but he lied about him walking away. It was she who walked away, and in fact, the first time that she tried to leave him before, it was him who pulled her back in, as he shared a pic of them on a date that he titled something like “you wanted to leave me, but here you are with me again”

I also noticed throughout the entire time they were together, she looked stressed, drained, and older than her years.  

As he had tagged her in his posts, I was able to find her social media account, and so I visited her page too. 

After they broke up, she started dating a new guy, and not only did she start looking better and glowing again, her new guy made her very happy and in less than 2 years, he proposed to her. 

This guy that wanted to date me had led her on for 5 years in a toxic and possibly abusive relationship, based on how drained and ill she looked when with him, hoovered her back when she tried to leave, and still refused to commit to her. 

After she left him, she was not only able to find a happy, secure loving relationship, but the new guy also committed to her. 

Seeing all this, I still decided not to write him off completely and to give him one chance to prove himself. I went on that first date with him. Almost entirely throughout the date, he kept staring and staring at a couple of other women at other tables.  

It seems his ex wasn’t paranoid and jealous, after all. He is just a disrespectful and lustful man with uncontrollable wandering eye.  If he is like this when around me, in the first stages of a possible relationship, how would he be behind my back?

His behaviour on the date was all that I needed to know, and after that date, I declined more dates from him and told him that I just didn’t think we were a good match. 

Phew! Thank you so much for all the advice and content you provide, Paige

I also wanted to share this story to let other women who are in toxic, abusive or non-committal relationships know that it is okay to “throw that man away” as you always say. lol.  

It really is the only way you’ll be able to move on and find a man who adores you, makes you happy, and commits to you. 

Never settle, ladies, and thank you, S, for sharing your awesome story.

Never let your ‘boyfriend’ stop you from meeting your husband. 

Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us!

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Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!!

Here are the top ten most popular TCF articles of 2025.
We also have some surprising new entries.

Which ones will remain in the top 10 and would the previous number 1 maintain its position?

Let’s find out!

NUMBER 10 – THE MISOGYNY OF TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC MEN

A new entry in the top 10.  I am honestly not surprised that this made the top 10, as 2025 has been a year of eye-opening revelations and exposure of how truly fraudulent many men who infiltrate the traditional Catholic community are.  They are not there because they want to be truly traditional catholic; they are there because they are deeply misogynistic, and they want to impose their red pill nonsense and misogyny on to the traditional catholic communities.  So it seems, 2025 has been a year of real discernment as more people are beginning to learn how to spot the wolves in sheep clothing among us. 

NO 9 – VEILING FOR MASS WHEN YOU ARE SELF-CONSCIOUS

This retains its spot in the top 10, as more women continue to show interest in veiling for Mass

NUMBER 8 – FEMININITY, SHAVING, AND MODESTY

This is a surprising new entry into the top 10

NO 7 – WHAT TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC MANTILLA VEILS TO WEAR FOR LENT AND EASTER

This is a regular in the top 10. 

NO 6 – MODESTY AND THE DANGER OF SCRUPULOSITY

Now in the top 10 for the 4th year running!

NO 5 – ABOUT THE SIX DECADE ROSARY 

In the top 10 for the 5th year running.

NUMBER 4 – EARLY DATING RED FLAGS OF A PREDATOR, SOCIOPATH OR ABUSER

In the top 10 for the 5th year running! 

NO 3 – PROPER DRESS CODE ATTIRE FOR MASS 

In the top 10 for the 5th year running. 

 NO. 2 – STAGES OF A TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC COURTSHIP

holding position at number 2 for the 5th year running!

And at NUMBER ONE and also in the top 10 for the FIFTH YEAR RUNNING is……

NO 1 – CATHOLIC VEIL COLOURS FOR MASS

It is truly beautiful to see that more women are continuing to embrace veiling for Mass.  Deo gratias!!

Were any of your favourites in this list of Top 10 TCF articles for 2025?

You can also view the top ten articles for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

May God bless and keep both you and yours all through this New Year A.D. 2026

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Here is how to handle this.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati died on July 4, 1925, after contracting poliomyelitis, likely from one of his visits to the sick.

Before his death, with a paralyzed hand, he wrote a note to his friend with instructions to deliver medicine to one of the poor he was ministering to.

Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006 when he was only 15, is set to become the first Catholic saint of the millennial generation this Sunday.

Acutis passed away after a battle with leukemia, but made a name for himself for documenting miracles online, which earned him the name “God’s influencer” and patron saint of the Internet.

However, how does one become a Catholic saint?

The process of becoming a saint in the Catholic Church, known as canonisation, is a formal and detailed procedure that involves several stages. 

Here is an overview of the 4 key steps involved:

SERVANT OF GOD STAGE

Initiation of the Cause: The process begins at least five years after the candidate’s death. Although the Pope can waive this waiting period.

A local bishop investigates the candidate’s life to determine if they lived with “heroic virtue” or died as a martyr for the faith.

If the investigation is approved, the candidate is given the title Servant of God.

The next stage is the Venerable stage. 

VENERABLE STAGE

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviews the evidence collected by the local diocese. If the Pope recognizes that the candidate lived a life of virtue, they are declared Venerable. 

This title indicates that the person is worthy of respect and has demonstrated extraordinary faith and virtue.

THE BLESSED STAGE (BEAUTIFICATION)

Miracle Requirement: For non-martyrs, one miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession must be verified.

This miracle is rigorously investigated by medical experts, theologians, and the Pope.
Martyrs, however, do not require a miracle for beatification

Once beatified, the candidate is given the title Blessed.

Veneration: Public veneration is permitted, but it is usually limited to the candidate’s local diocese, region, or religious community.

For the next stage, Canonisation, a second miracle, after beatification is required.

THE CANONISATION STAGE (SAINTHOOD)

This second miracle, occurring after beatification, undergoes the same rigorous investigation process, and once verified, the candidate gets canonised and is declared a saint.

And this is who the canonisation process unfolds.

Mary, Queen of All Saints, pray for us!!

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Source – https://x.com/vitus_oss?s=21

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For those who struggle with sleeping at night due to racing thoughts, a Catholic approach may involve prayer, specifically focusing on releasing worries and anxieties to God and seeking His peace to calm the mind. Practices like reciting calming Bible verses and using tools like the Rosary or saint prayers can also be helpful. 

Reciting calming Bible verses, like Psalm 4:8 (“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety”) can help center the mind. 

So what else can you do when you can’t sleep as a Catholic?

Whether it is due to anxiety, overthinking, or even pregnancy-induced restlessness, or perhaps a colicky or fussy baby and  child, here are ways to manage insomnia, restlessness, and racing thoughts at bedtime, from a Catholic perspective, based mainly on tried-and-tested methods that worked for me and my family.

CALL ON THE SAINTS

St Dymphna can help with anxiety, St Peter Damian is the patron saint of sleep difficulties, and St Joseph as the Sleeping St. Joseph, is widely recognised as the patron saint of a good night’s rest.  Petition or pray to any one of them.

St Peter Damian Prayer

Saint Peter Damian, who sacrificed sleep for the love of God, understand the struggles of sleeplessness. Just as you faced long nights filled with prayer and penance, seeking solace in God’s presence, I ask for your intercession as I seek rest and peace in the quiet of the night.
Help me to surrender my worries and anxieties to the Lord, and to find comfort in His embrace. Grant me the grace to trust in God’s plan, as you did, and to experience the restful sleep my body and soul need. Through your prayers, may I awaken refreshed and renewed, ready to serve God with a peaceful heart, following your example of unwavering faith and dedication.

Saint Peter Damian pray for us

St Dymphna Prayer For Insomnia

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Good Saint Dymphna,
Great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need.

[Mention Intention]

Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and sleep disorder, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.
Amen
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.

St Joseph Bedtime Prayer

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I offer to you my heart and soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

A NOISE MACHINE

A noise machine, especially the ones with various types of sounds that you can switch between, is one of my go-tos. Plus, it also helps drown out my husband’s snoring!! Like, why do men snore so loudly??!  I have to believe that it is because they work so hard physically during the day or something.

Also, I started using a noise machine when the littles were been breastfed as babies.  When they were particularly fussy, breastfeeding sessions would be in the bedroom, with the curtains, holding them as I sat in a rocking chair and the noise machine set to the heartbeat setting.  The rocking of the chair, darkened room and the heartbeat sound reminded them of being back in the womb and helped them settle quickly and latch more easily. The rocking also helps with milk flow and let-down.  When the babies get older, you can keep the noise machine in you and your husband’s bedroom or place the noise machine in the kids bedroom, where it would also help them sleep soundly as it evokes memories of being nursed. 

For the kids and babies, you also can get musical night lights, mobiles, or carousels, which work to soothe them and get them sleeping calmly.

HUMIDIFIERS – WITH/WITHOUT ESSENTIAL OILS

Sometimes, I also turn on the humidifier in the bedroom.
It diffuses moisture to the air, which is really helpful, because it can be near impossible to settle into sleep when your throat is uncomfortably dry and itchy. Adding a few drops of calming essential oils, such as chamomile and/or lavender essential oils, to the water so it can waft through the air, really soothes me to sleep.

If you don’t have a humidifier, you can simply get some dried lavender and chamomile flowers, place them in a little sachet, add a few drops of lavender and/or chamomile essential oils, and place them under your pillow. I have even made little sachets for the kids when they were teething or a little fussy. These herbs are very safe for babies and children.

HERBAL TEA 

Here is a tip for teething, colicky, or fussy babies…….or teens. I make some herbal infusion with chamomile flowers, dilute the tea (1 part tea mixed with 2 parts of milk or juice), and give it to them – perfectly safe for babies over 6 months. Sometimes I make a large batch of the tea and freeze it into little ice cubes, so it is always ready whenever I need it.

I add this tea to the babies’ milk bottles, warm it up, and give it to them. Now they are older, they still like having a warm drink before bedtime—usually hot chocolate, apple juice, or blackcurrant juice, and if they are struggling to sleep, I add a slightly stronger concentration of the chamomile tea to their juice or drink, and warm it up.  They fall asleep so quickly and peacefully afterwards.

My personal go-to nightcap is usually a hot chocolate drink, and on nights when I can’t sleep, adding some chamomile infusion to the hot cocoa is just so yummy.

WEIGHTED BLANKET

A weighted blanket is another particularly useful sleep aid. It was recommended in one of the mommy forum groups when I was searching for tips to help the littles sleep soundly. 

It worked so well that it got me curious to know what the hype is all about, and I got an adult-sized version, and OH WOW – I totally get it!

If you struggle with sleeping, you should definitely get a weighted blanket. My husband doesn’t like it, though, and he would kick it off during the night because he says it makes him too hot.
So as a compromise, I sometimes get him to act as my weighted blanket ie placing his body weight – such as his legs across me when we sleep.  For some reason, it kinda works – the pressure and weight of his muscles is similar to having a weighted blanket draped across me.  Lol.

SLEEP MASKS

Now, because I am a light sleeper, and more so during the Spring/Summer months when the sun rises super early and the morning light will jolt me awake at 4am, I also wear a sleep mask to bed.

When choosing a sleep mask, don’t just go for one that looks cute.  Try to get one that is made from silk and satin, as these will help your skin retain moisture, prevent dryness, and reduce the formation of lines and wrinkles –  basically adding the beauty in beauty sleep. Even my husband comments on how soft my face feels and looks in the morning.

My eldest is starting to copy me and turn into quite the little madam – lol – and she too has started wearing a kiddie sleep mask to bed. I think she does it mainly because it looks cute and grown-up to her. It does help her sleep better, and as we know, growing kids need their sleep.

VALERIAN

On nights when my insomnia and racing thoughts were really so bad that I needed something stronger than chamomile tea, I would take valerian herb capsules. Valerian is a natural sedative that is just as effective as and yet safer than prescription sleeping pills. It gently sends you off into a deep, restful sleep, and you wake up refreshed, without the heavy, groggy feeling that sleeping pills leave you with. Just avoid this if you are pregnant, and do not give it to children under 14 years old.

Some people use melatonin, but it can be a hormone-disrupter, so I prefer to use Valerian  

THE ROSARY

Finally, praying the rosary, a meditative form of prayer, is really great for racing thoughts.  It slows down the mind and soothes you to sleep. Go through all the decades and you should feel sleepy by the end.

It even works with the kids too. Just climb into their bed with them and pray the Rosary – the repetitive prayer in a hushed, gentle tone will be like a lullaby that lulls them to sleep before you even complete the entire Rosary because, after all, praying the Rosary at night is like holding on to Momma Mary’s hand as you whisper, “Mamma, Mamma,” while she soothes you to sleep. It works on babies and adults alike.

So, I hope you found this article useful for ideas on how to soothe restlessness, insomnia and racing thoughts when trying to sleep. 

Have you tried any of these?  What other methods have you tried?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Our Lady, Mother of The Word Incarnate, pray for us

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The morning Mass began with his first popemobile ride through St. Peter’s Square.

He then entered St. Peter’s Basilica and proceeded to the tomb of St. Peter, where, joined by the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic churches, he paused for prayer.

Pope Leo and Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches in prayer before St. Peter’s tomb.

The symbols of the papal office — the pallium, the fisherman’s ring and the Book of the Gospels — will have been placed there in advance, close to the remains of the apostle whose faith and martyrdom consecrated the church of Rome.

Deacons then carry the objects into the square as part of the procession.

After the proclamation of the Gospel and before the pope’s homily are the formal rites of installation, which took place in full view of the gathered faithful.

The rites included the imposition of the pallium, conferred by a cardinal deacon, and the presentation of the fisherman’s ring, given to the new pope by a cardinal bishop. A third cardinal, from the order of cardinal priests, will offer a solemn prayer invoking the Holy Spirit’s strength for the pope’s mission.

The moment he received the Fisherman’s Ring or Piscatory Ring, from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.  The ring is a sacred sign of his succession to the Apostle Peter, during the Mass of Inauguration of his pontificate .

It is truly moving how Pope Leo XIV looked at the Fisherman’s ring and got visibly emotional for a moment.

The Ring of the Fisherman of Pope Leo XIV.

It features St. Peter on the front and Leo’s coat of arms on the back, with his name inscribed.

A profoundly powerful symbol, portraying the Pope as a fisher of souls

 As you can see, the wives here are veiled, which is respect for the Pope, who is the Vicar of Christ.  However, as they do not have the Catholic privilege of white, as described above, they have to wear black because they are not Catholic royal women. It has nothing whatsoever to do with their marital status – as some people erroneously want to say that married women must wear black, and everything to do with Catholic culture, NOT secular culture 

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Several heads of state were also in attendance.  Full list of heads of states from around the world HERE.

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Such a beautiful Mass for the rite of inauguration for Pope Leo XIV.

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Ad multos annos Papa Leone!

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Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us, for the Church and for Pope Leo XIV

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Today is Day 2 of Conclave and white smoke finally billowed out from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel to announce that the 133 Cardinal electors have selected the 26th successor to St. Peter – Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States of America, whose chosen papal name is Pope Leo XIV.

The first American pope in history, Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, was born in Chicago, Illinois – United States of America, on September 14, 1955, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent.

He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1981.

Education-wise, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (Villanova), a  Master of Divinity degree (Catholic Theological Union), a licentiate and doctorate in canon law (the Angelicum)

He has performed extensive missionary work in Peru, in roles including (but not limited to): seminary professor, Judicial vicar, Apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Vice president of the Peruvian episcopal conference, and most recently as the head of the Church’s Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

As prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he oversaw the nomination of bishops worldwide His role was to ensure that candidates were well formed in doctrine, pastoral care, and fidelity to the Church’s teachings He was also a member of several other dicasteries, including those for Evangelization, the Doctrine of the Faith, Clergy, and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

He was created a cardinal on September 30, 2023 He called it “a mission of love with Christ, our Savior,” with a responsibility to give his life in service to the Church He also highlighted the significance of the red vestments of a cardinal, symbolizing the blood of martyrs

And then today— May 8, 2025— after four ballots, the cardinals elected him Pope. He chose the name Leo XIV. He stepped onto the balcony with peace in his eyes.

Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope— but he’s also deeply Peruvian. Two citizenships, two cultures, and now one cross. He embodies the Catholic faith: universal and deeply local.

He speaks seven languages fluently, and not just for show. He uses them to break down barriers and make people feel seen, no matter where they come from.

He is deeply Marian. His devotion to Our Lady is striking. He begins every day with the Rosary and ends it before an image of Mary he’s carried since seminary.

He chose the name “Leo” for a reason. He chose “Leo” in honor of St. Leo the Great, who defended truth with boldness and built bridges in times of division. A clear signal, I think, of what this new pontificate might look like.

With an IQ of 145 , speaking 7 languages, degrees in mathematics & theology, and known for humility and intellectual capabilities, he isn’t just a Pope; he  is one of the smartest men alive!

We pray for Pope Leo XIV. That he may teach with the voice of the Good Shepherd. That he may govern with a servant’s heart. That he may walk with the People of God toward holiness.

May Pope Leo XIV be as ever faithful to Holy Mother Church and Tradition as his venerable predecessor, Leo XIII.

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This was the traditional announcement made by the Camerlengo, the papal chamberlain, to announce the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis, this morning, on Easter Monday, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

The death of Pope Francis at eighty-eight years old marks the end of his twelve-year pontificate.

This was his last post on Twitter, which he shared on Easter Sunday.

How poignant because my own mother passed away to eternal life several years ago on Easter Sunday morning.

“To die in the Easter Octave is a particular grace, for pope and peasant alike.”

Indeed. May we receive this special grace when it is our time to be called home.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17th Decemeber 1936, a Jesuit from Argentina, became the 266th pope of the Holy Catholic Church, becoming the first Latin American and Jesuit Pope, breaking a 1,300-year tradition of the Church’s history of European pontiffs. .

Before becoming pope, Jorge Bergoglio worked as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires. He also  worked as a chemical technician and even considered marriage. A profound encounter with faith redirected his life, and he joined the Jesuits in 1958 This unlikely background shaped a leader who never forgot his ordinary roots.
When he became Pope in 2013, he was the first to choose the name Francis: The saint of poverty and simplicity.

Pope Francis chose his papal name after St. Francis of Assisi, because he admired the friar’s love for the poor, & life of simplicity and peace.

Unlike most new popes who move into the luxurious Apostolic Palace with its 10 rooms and staff of 30, Pope Francis refused this.

Francis refused, choosing instead a modest 2-room apartment in the Vatican guesthouse. “I need to live among people,” he explained.

But his humility wasn’t just aesthetic. When he washed the feet of 12 prisoners in 2013—including women and Muslims—it shocked traditionalists. For 2,000 years, popes had only washed priests’ feet. His simple act rewrote papal symbolism.

Francis drove a 1984 Renault with 190,000 miles when a priest gave it to him. He rejected the bulletproof “Popemobile” when possible. When asked about his choice of modest cars, he responded: “How can it be that a servant of God becomes so rich?”

Despite health struggles, including lung issues and surgeries, Pope Francis continued his mission with remarkable resilience.

Traditional leadership projects strength. Francis displayed vulnerability. With part of one lung removed at 21, he spoke openly about his health struggles. During his final hospitalisation in 2025, he refused special treatment. Weakness became a different kind of strength.

Francis traveled to places popes rarely visit: • War zones • Refugee camps • Prisons • Slums • Environmental disaster areas.

His focus on “the peripheries” wasn’t just geographical—it was a leadership philosophy.
Go where power isn’t.

Compare Francis to predecessors:
Benedict: Focused on theological precision
John Paul II: Emphasized doctrinal clarity

Francis focused on encounter over enforcement.

In his final hours, his doctors begged him not to leave bed rest, but he refused. It was for us and our joy that he chose to ride through St. Peter’s and gave the Urbi et Orbi, on Easter Sunday morning, knowing the risks.

He remained faithful and dutiful, and worked diligently until the very end…….just like the late Queen Elizabeth II who was born today in 1926.

SOME OF POPE FRANCIS’ ICONIC MOMENTS:

• Pope Francis: “If someone insults my mother, they can expect a punch in the face.”

• Female journalist: “Pope Francis, will little girls be able to dream of being deacons?”
  Pope Francis: “No.”
• Pope Francis tells a group of women to stop acting like men.

You can view them all HERE

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However, the question remains: was Pope Francis’ humility a personal virtue or a permanent revolution in papal leadership?

Although he died, leaving the church divided and the traditional Catholic community feeling hurt, neglected, betrayed, and ostracised, in this post, I chose to focus on the positives of his character and his pontificate.

The Church now enters a period called Sede Vacante — the period between the death or resignation of a pope and the election of a new one.

I also pray that God grants us a pope who is perhaps a little less woke, and more of a traditionalist.

Requiescat In Pace, Papa Franciscus.

EDIT

The funeral of Pope Francis can now be viewed HERE

Mary, Mother of The Church, pray for us. 

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Also, see

How To Know He Is Able And Willing To Provide

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