In November last year I woke up one day with a host of unpleasant symptoms. A couple of months and a lot of frantic Google searching later, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder pain syndrome with no cure. I had read a lot of stories online by this point of people whose symptoms were serious, debilitating and completely life-limiting. As a young woman with so much time ahead of me, it felt like a life sentence.
I turned to prayer, invoking all my usual saints. St Jude and St Joseph were particularly helpful in getting me through the early days, but I felt like I should find someone dedicated to my particular circumstances. I searched for the patron saint of bladder health and first encountered St Vitalis of Assisi.
It turns out this man had an amazing life, repenting from his youth of sexual sin by going on pilgrimages all around Europe and joining a Benedictine community before being given permission to leave and live as a hermit. He became known shortly after his death for his many healing miracles for those with bladder and urinary health problems.
I have been praying for his intercession every day since I learned about him and definitely credit it for all the good, pain-free days I've had and the fact that my illness has miraculously remained manageable. On this his feast day (May 31), I'd like to share with you a litany I wrote to him and would encourage you, no matter what your situation, to ask for his powerful prayers to God!
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[For private use only]
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.
St Vitalis of Assisi, pray for us.
St Vitalis, example of piety, pray for us.
St Vitalis, holy in penance for the sins of your youth, pray for us.
St Vitalis, who made reparation through pilgrimages, pray for us.
St Vitalis, consecrated to God as a Benedictine monk, pray for us.
St Vitalis, who left community life to live as a hermit, pray for us.
St Vitalis, who submitted to live in utter poverty, pray for us.
St Vitalis, of few possessions but many graces, pray for us.
St Vitalis, hope of all those with bladder diseases, pray for us.
St Vitalis, heavenly intercessor for those who call to you in our sickness, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Pray for us, St. Vitalis of Assisi, to the Lord our God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, by the intercession of your holy saint, Vitalis of Assisi, grant that we may be humble servants and pious disciples, that we may be detached from earthly goods and ever cleave to those of heaven, and that we may be gifted protection and healing of both body and soul. Amen.