Landon LaChance is a sweet eleven-year-old boy with a rare genetic disease called neurofibromatosis that causes his skin to change color and may also cause non-cancerous tumors. When Make-A-Wish gave him the opportunity to have a wish granted his request was not what most boys his age would have wanted. It wasn’t a trip to Disney World, the SuperBowl or to meet a movie star. Landon asked for a trip to the Vatican to receive a blessing from Pope Francis.
The news article states that his family is very active in his local Church and that Landon is often an altar server. It was the parish priest who announced that Landon’s wish would be granted. Just look at the joy on Landon’s face when he receives the good news!
“It was a very hard decision to make,” Landon said. “I wanted to go see the Pope, and I wanted to see if this would help, getting blessed by the Pope.”
A Deeper Look
Landon’s faith and trust in God is so inspiring. He had the choice of nearly anything in the world and he chose an opportunity to grow in his faith. Take a few moments today to reflect on what your deepest wish would be. Is it something that would bring you closer to the Lord? What we desire and hope for often reveals the condition of our heart. Be honest with yourself and your answer. Where does your treasure lie?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.“ Matthew 6: 19-21
Power of Prayer
Will you join me in praying for Landon and his family as they make the trip to the Vatican to receive the blessing from Pope Francis? Let us ask God for many miracles to happen for this family along their journey. We will update this post with any new information.
O Saint Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even from death; graciously look down upon the distressed parents who plead with thee for their child’s health if such be the Will, of God. Present their promise to God to bring up the child a good Christian and to guard it by word and example against the fatal leprosy of sin. This favor we implore thee, O sainted Brother, through the tender love with which Jesus and Mary blessed thy own innocent childhood. Amen. ( This prayer is from the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church website.)
