How Was This Woman Healed?(Hint: It Involves a Certain Saint, a Certain Shrine..)

The following witness was given on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, the Feast Day of St. Faustina Kowalska, at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy, in Stockbridge, Mass.

Good morning! I would like to first thank St. Faustina for bringing me here to Stockbridge and to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy! I also need to thank several people: Shrine Rector Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, who made this possible; Christine Kruszyna, Father's secretary; the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception; Frank Rizzo, a volunteer here at the Shrine we met on our trip in October of 2008; Fr. Robert Kelleher, my pastor at All Saints Parish in Plymouth, Pa., for his guidance and encouragement to contact the Shrine about my healing; my deacon, Joe DeVizia, who further advised and encouraged me; my wonderful parents, Florence and Donald Secor, who weren't able to make the trip here with me, for raising me in a home filled with love and faith; my brother Rich; Debi, my sister-in-law; and my wonderful husband, Joe, who has always been a role model to me, always believed in me, and always supported me.

Shortly after marrying Joe in October, 1976, I began to develop mouth ulcerations. These ulcerations would cover the sides of my mouth, my tongue, the back of my throat, and many times extended into my esophagus and covered my larynx — which would give me laryngitis. One year, I had no voice for more than nine months! The ulcerations were very painful, would last 10-14 days, and cause me to lose a lot of work time.

I was seen by my family doctor, by an ear nose and throat specialist, by dentists, and by infectious disease specialists. Initially, they all suspected I had cancer and was a smoker and drinker. I didn't — and don't — smoke or drink, and I didn't have cancer. They couldn't understand how someone could have the sores and sound like I did and not have cancer. None of the physicians could determine the cause of the ulcerations or how to cure them. So I was treated symptomatically: Tylenol for fever and Lidocaine for the painful sores.

The pattern was set: I would feel extreme, unexplainable exhaustion one week, which would always be followed by the sores. Normal life was difficult at best. This continued year after year, with several occurrences per year, which seemed to just get more and more severe. I was told to limit my stress, stop eating cheese, avoid breads and white flour, stop eating chocolate, give up drinking tea. Still, nothing stopped the ulcerations. I tried herbal remedies, shots, and homeopathic and many other treatments. All of them failed.

In May 2000, the same month that St. Faustina was canonized by Pope John Paul II, I was diagnosed with having a mass in my breast. As if that news was not bad enough, after seeing a surgeon, I was told I would have to wait six weeks before I could have her perform the biopsy (she was going on vacation). A friend at the Catholic hospital where I worked gave me a Divine Mercy booklet that explained the message given to St. Faustina in a series of revelations in the 1930s. My friend assured me that if I prayed the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, a prayer given to St. Faustina by Jesus Christ, I would be fine. I read this wonderful booklet and began to pray the chaplet. The more I read the more I wanted to know about this wonderful Polish nun known as the "Secretary of The Divine Mercy."

I read about the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. I discovered it was only a few hours from my home! I read St. Faustina's Diary. I was elated to learn about the promises Jesus gave to her, including:

• "Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior." (1075)

• "My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls — no one have I excluded!" (1182)

• "Say unceasingly the chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death." (687)

• "I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those who trust in my Mercy." (687)

• And, "Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior." (1541)

What a wonderful message! The promises from Jesus filled me with great hope, that even I, a sinner, has a tool by which I can receive mercy — and one day see our Lord in heaven!

Following the sixth week of waiting, I had my biopsy. A few days later, I received the results. I was told that everything was negative. It was then that I promised St. Faustina three things. (Remember, I said to be careful what you promise ...)

1. I would visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. 2. I would pray the chaplet as often as possible. 3. I would do everything I could to spread the message of The Divine Mercy and to encourage prayer and devotion to Jesus and St. Faustina.

Keeping my promise to pray the chaplet was easy: I had a 50-mile-a-day commute to my job over a very treacherous stretch of interstate highway. I spent the time praying. It would usually take three chaplets to get to work and three to get home. But I was never stranded or had any accident on this roadway, thanks to St. Faustina!

Keeping my promise to spread the message of The Divine Mercy was easy as well. Any friends, family, or coworkers I knew who were facing surgery, serious illness, or impending death of a loved one, I gave them a Divine Mercy prayercard with instructions on how to pray the chaplet or a booklet explaining the devotions to The Divine Mercy. I also started a prayer shawl ministry at my parish and was able to provide shawls, stoles, blankets, and afghans to those suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses. I gladly gave many of them the prayercard, chaplet rosary, and booklets on The Divine Mercy to pray.

But keeping my promise to come to her National Shrine in Stockbridge was a bit more difficult. Year after year I failed to come to "visit her." Oh, there were reasons: Many times I was simply too sick with the ulcerations to come; or sick with pneumonia other years; or I had had a bad year with the ulcerations and had used up all my sick and vacation time! I just didn't get here to the Shrine.

After 2000, I continued to suffer from the ulcerations, but by this time, the doctors had a name for it: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS). It has no known cause or cure.

For whatever reason, in July, August, and September of 2007, my conditions changed for the worse. The ulcerations would form all over the roof of my mouth. But before they would appear, I would experience a prodrome — an early symptom or warning. The prodrome started with a feeling like someone was repeatedly stabbing the roof of my mouth and lower lip with a needle. This sensation would continue for several hours. Then, a series of ulcerations would form.

The exhaustion was overwhelming. After the stabbing pain stopped, the roof of my mouth would feel like sandpaper, rough and scratchy. Within a few more hours I would have a huge, painful lesion that would make talking and eating difficult. This would last 10 to 14 days, sometimes longer.

During August of 2007, I saw my family doctor while I had a huge lesion on the roof of my mouth. She had never seen one so large (she even felt compelled to show it to her medical students!). I was given a prescription for Tylenol III for pain and for something called Miracle Swish — a liquid given to cancer patients who sometimes get these sores.

By September 2007, with another attack of the lesions starting, I felt I just couldn't keep having this month after month. I decided that someone "out there on the internet" must know something about this illness. So I began doing web searches for a clinical trial. I was just so desperate. I found a doctor at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. At last, I thought, I would get some help! But after being interviewed, the doctor turned me down for his clinical trial since my symptoms were "too severe" and would have skewed his data.

I begged him for any kind of help. He said he had a friend, a doctor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who handled medically complex oral medicine! I was told this doctor would be expecting my call. I decided then and there, that at the start of the next attack, I would call this physician.

In October 2007, my desire grew stronger to finally keep my promise and visit the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. So, on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, my husband and I drove to Stockbridge. I checked the National Shrine's website and noticed that Fr. Mark Garrow, MIC, was being buried that day. I wondered if they would still have the chaplet and Mass in the afternoon. I checked the website, and it seemed like the day's schedule was in place. So after waiting out some valley fog, we set out.

It was one of those "top ten days," as I call them. A perfect day. The sky turned clear and deep blue. The trees were dressed in their finest fall colors. The temperature was cool. But then, as we started to drive, I started to feel the dreaded needle-like stabbing in the roof of my mouth. Another attack.

I told my husband. He wondered if we should turn back. He knew by the time we got to Stockbridge I'd have another painful lesion. I said, "No, let's keep going." We arrived at the Shrine about 2 p.m. I was in awe: Here I was, at St. Faustina's Shrine!

We attended the Mass and stayed to pray the chaplet. My mind and prayers were focused on so many people: my parents who had health issues; my brother and his wife who had been diagnosed with cancer; the many recipients in my prayer shawl ministry who had died and some who were living/surviving with cancer; and my husband, who had stents, a heart problem, and diabetes. I honestly didn't asked for anything for me. I didn't even think of it!

I didn't realize that we'd have a chance to kiss the relic of St. Faustina! I was thrilled. I couldn't have been happier. Sick by then, but definitely happy.

Following the Mass, our time was limited since we wanted to return home soon. I wanted to see the outdoor A-frame altar behind the church that I had seen on TV for Divine Mercy Sunday celebrations. It was about 4:15 p.m. The sun was setting over the mountains and glistening through the fall leaves. It was a magnificent sight. I felt humbled to be where so many other pilgrims have stood — before the image of The Divine Mercy at the outside altar. I took several pictures, and we soon walked back to the car to leave.

As I headed down the drive from Eden Hill, I suddenly stopped the car and pulled to the side. My husband wondered if I was too sick to drive. I told him, "You're not going to believe this, but my sores are gone! They're all gone!" The roof of my mouth, where the lesion had been just a few hours ago, was as smooth and clear as the other side of the roof of my mouth! I said, "Maybe I've been cured."

When we arrived home, I told my parents what had happened. I cautiously used the word "cure." But in my heart, I knew that if, through the intercession of St. Faustina, The Divine Mercy had cured me, I would not get them back.

I decided to hold off celebrating, just in case. The longest time I had gone without the sores was usually three to four months. So, I thought I'd wait until January. Sometime in December 2007, I finally had the photos printed from my trip to the Shrine. I had passed them around to folks at work, friends, my family, and I never noticed anything peculiar until one day someone handed me the photos back, and there above the outside A-frame altar, next to the image of The Divine Mercy, was a beautiful angel! Now I was certain I was cured. I've had the picture enlarged — the angel gets lovelier. I've also had the photo and digital card analyzed by digital photographers who have certified I have not altered the image in any way. They cannot explain how the angel got there!

I said nothing for another couple of months, until one evening I talked with my pastor, Fr. Bob Kelleher, about what happened. I showed him the photo. Father Bob saw the angel and told me I needed to contact the Shrine and tell them what happened — how I was healed! Which I did.

I've given a lot of thought and prayer to the question I've asked myself many times: Why me? Why would I be healed? I think it goes back to my promise to St. Faustina in 2000. I promised I would do all I could to spread the message of The Divine Mercy, and she could use me to do so; I would pray the chaplet; and I would come to "visit her."

Once I came here to the Shrine to "see her," I was healed! Makes me wish I came much sooner!

I certainly never thought when we started out on our drive here on Oct. 25, 2007, that I would leave here healed, let alone that she would use me to tell my story to bring others to her and The Divine Mercy!

Pray this chaplet often. Believe in the chaplet's power. Jesus and St. Faustina are here to assist us and want us to get to Heaven. Promise her (St. Faustina) anything — but remember, she will hold you to it.

Link to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy, Sister tells us:

"I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord's wounds and I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus."

Of another vision on Sept. 13, 1935, she writes:

"I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike the earth...I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment...."

The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on ordinary rosary beads:

"First say one 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', and 'I believe'. Then on the large beads say the following words:

'Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.'

On the smaller beads you are to say the following words:

'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.'

In conclusion you are to say these words three times:

'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world'.

Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy...."

"....When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior".

I think God likes us to have fun AND that He understands that making jokes is one way we "incorporate" new and startling information. (Cf. all the Chernobyl jokes.)

I call it "reverential flippancy". For example I refer to Pope John Paul the Great as "J2P2," because I love him so much that when I say his name "straight" I have to pause a minute.

Another phenomenon is very devout people, not used to talking about their faith, who call God "the man upstairs." I've always seen that as a way to try to deal with the awe.

And besides, let's dream: Wouldn't it just dislocate your jaw in joy if The Dear Leader one day said, "Okay, people, I've had a change of heart. The real solution to all our problems including health care, is Jesus the Christ."

Anyway, St Faustina, pray for us.

I think the problem I, and ma[n]y like me have, is that there is little glory for God in any of this.

This is when I feel my words are so futile.

I can't speak for anybody else, but for me, "The Lord is glorious in His saints."^*

Of course, in the poisoned atmosphere of discussions with Protestants I have to add that is not the only way God is glorious.

Yesterday was the memorial (for non-Dominicans) and feast (for Dominicans) of Thomas Aquinas. Yes, I ask for his prayers. Yes, I think his modesty, devotion, and life in general provide a heroic example. Yes, I think he was a genius.

But most of all I look at him, shake my head, and say to God, "Thank you for this amazing brother! Wow!"

As I said earlier, I don't 'follow' St Faustina much, but I am very grateful to her and to what God did in her, if only for the notion that I can and should remind myself that my trust should be placed in Jesus and in God's mercy.

So for us, that God chooses (if that be the case) to do miracles at a shrine of this saint, SURE that is a reminder of what God did in her, but au fond it's always about God.

In any event, what most of us know about St, Faustina is that she told us all to place our trust in the Divine Mercy. if the news or the miracle story is about what happened at her shrine, well and good. Maybe the healed and those who love them will be led to hear what St. Faustina taught. And then it will turnout that the glory is returned to God from whom it came.

^*Everyday of prayer begins with what we call the "invitatory psalm". We begin "Lord open my lips// and my mouth will proclaim your praise," which you will recognize as a verse from Psalm 51. Then usually we say Psalm 95, but sometimes 67, 24, or 100. (I always do 95.) But we have what we call an antiphon, something like a refrain, said after each strophe.

For great teachers the antiphon is "Come let us worship the Lord, fount of all wisdom." But the general antiphon for saints says is something like "The Lord is glorious in his saints, come let us worship Him," or "Come let us worship the Lord, the king of martyrs," or words to that effect.

It's always God, but we're not going to ignore that great things he has done.

Dawg, just look at the title of this thread (and many others) The glory is to Mary or saints etc.. not to God.

In this case it is suggested God did it because he was asked by this woman ..so then the glory goes to her for asking..cause if someone else asked maybe he would not have done it..

The normal Catholic response is to get some medals and publish public thanks to her in your local paper . God is a secondary thought, God’s sovereignty and the fact that all healing and all miracles are from His hand..not some dead humans is easily overlooked in Catholic doctrine .It is hidden under a bunch of words giving first glory to a creation of his

It keeps coming back to the 1st commandment.. I will have no other gods BEFORE me..

That can be seen as not giving anyone glory BEFORE we give it to Him..

I think there are many holy saints that have gone before us, they are wonderful examples on how to live our lives .. but they went not in their strength but Gods.

Nox. What it comes down to is people who read not words but what is in their minds. The title of the thread with added emphasis, is:
How Was This Woman Healed?(Hint: It Involves a Certain Saint, a Certain Shrine..)

How that gives glory here or there is not clear. 'Involves" is a pretty noncommittal word. As such it serves as an unbolt, a Rorschach test, in which what the reader sees is not necessarily in the words but in what the reader brings to the reading.

As to "God did it because he was asked by this woman ..so then the glory goes to her for asking..cause if someone else asked maybe he would not have done it.."

We are told,"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We are told to ask for ourselves and for others. What, shall we avoid asking for fear that glory would go to the asker?

When I was teaching, I always cautioned people against saying "Prayer works." I think it is like a beggar who prides himself because he begs near the house of a rich and generous man. Prayer does not "work." GOD works.

Aslan (you DO know the Narnia books, don't you?) always refuses to answer what might have been. "We do not know, we cannot tell" what would have happened if St Faustina's intercession had not been asked and, evidently, given.

God is a secondary thought, God’s sovereignty and the fact that all healing and all miracles are from His hand..not some dead humans is easily overlooked in Catholic doctrine .

First, I do not see how you can know this. Second I do not see what difference it makes. I have heard more lame explanations of the Theory of Relativity than I can count. I don't blame Einstein. That the truth can be misunderstood does not mean it is not the truth.

I wear a medal with Dominic on one side and our Lady, and Sts. Dominic and Catherine of Sienna on the other. I also wear a Miraculous Medal sort of superimposed on a cross. I guess I can't expect to be believed but I'll say God knows whom I worship, and I don't see how you possibly could know.

I think there are many holy saints that have gone before us, they are wonderful examples on how to live our lives .. but they went not in their strength but God[']s.

No argument there. ONE reason we celebrate All Saints Day is precisely to acknowledge that there are far more Saints than we can know or name. Despite the evidence from our Daily Prayers wherein we glorify God for what He does in His saints, we are still told we don't.

I know what I prayed yesterday. We had evening prayer in chapter so I know what my bubbas and sissies prayed yesterday PM. And we thanked God for what He gave us in Thomas Aquinas.

It is really quite incredible when I think about it. I know what my Church teaches. I know how I think and feel about saints, and yet people who have known me for a few weeks online tell me that they know better than I what I think and feel.

How seriously am I supposed to take the arguments, or not even arguments but just accusations, from such an accuser?

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