A SMALL BOY WITH A GREAT LOVE

We have our youth group here this week doing the many work projects, bringing in the hay, the winter's wood supply, building a new shed for farm equipment, etc. , so I am reminded of some new children being considered for sainthood- examples to all youth today!

In April Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtue of  a nine-year old Brazilian boy, who “never complained” during cancer treatments, instead offered his suffering to Jesus.

VENERABLE NELSON SANTANA was born on the Ronca Farm in Ibitinga, Sao Paulo in 1955, the third of eight children of farmers, João Joaquim and Ocrécia Aparecida. Because the family lived far from the city, the children received  very rudimentary religious instruction from the parents. Nelson went to school only for a few years, on the farm where he lived. 

In 1964 Nelson was admitted to the Santa Casa de Araraquara Pediatrics because he had pain in his left arm. In the hospital he received the sympathy and love of the doctors, nurses and other children who were hospitalized, particularly Sister Gennarina Gecchele of the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who noticed the boy's purity and innocence. 

She began to teach him the catechism. Nelson responded with great enthusiasm and interest in catechesis. He loved to learn the things of God. He made his first Communion on June 15, 1964, in the chapel of the Holy House of Mercy of Araraquara, where he was hospitalized. 

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Nelson asked his mother in the hospital one day to “promise Jesus not to complain in the face of suffering and pain.”

His Parents

 A nurse and religious sister who cared for Nelson noted the child’s “extraordinary ability” to understand the meaning of the suffering of Christ. The sister made sure the boy continued to receive religious instruction in the hospital, where he also received his first Communion.

When told that his cancerous arm had to be amputated, Nelson that “pain is very important to increase true love and courageously maintain the love already conquered.”  (Where do children get these ideas? if not inspired!)

Sr. Genarina had the mission of telling Nelson the seriousness of the situation.  Nelsinho (as he was lovingly called) understood very well and answered with confidence: "Jesus can take my arm, because everything that is mine is His too."  

Other boys who were hospitalized with Nelsinho understood how much he was suffering and wept, keeping him company by his bed. 

Every day he received the Eucharistic  and when he could no longer walk alone, he asked to be taken to the hospital chapel, where he stayed in prayer for a long time, as he said "to be closer to Jesus Who is in the Tabernacle." 

Those who knew him witnessed in the beatification process that Nelsinho had a great devotion for the Holy Eucharist. He faced with serenity the moment he received the Anointing of the Sick and responded with extraordinary devotion to the prayers of the ritual. 

He died on Christmas eve 1964, predicting that Jesus would call him on Christmas Eve.  His parents sold everything they owned to pay for medical expenses. 

Last Sunday 13 children from a neighboring island made their first Communion (an amazing number for our non-Catholic area). They came to our monastery  a few days before for their first Confession and a mini retreat.  Venerable Nelson is a good model, so we asked his intercession that these local children grow in their faith and love of Jesus in the Eucharist.