[Eaker]

I have helped bury two very close friends who died from cancer this year, one religious, one not but both were fighters.

I would not scoff at a visit from Pope John Paul.

[humblegunner]

I would not scoff at a visit from Pope John Paul.

We'll take all the help we can get, Brother.

[deadhead]

From my profile page:

"I am Catholic, Prayers for Pope John Paul II, he was a great man and an inspiration to me."

I believe in Miracles

My Prayers are with both of your friends. I know of one of your friends, TexasCowboy. Prayers for both of your friends.

I am now watching "Have No Fear: Life of Pope John Paul II. Sadly, in a way, I can relate to the sorrow he had in his early years.

[AirForceBrat23]

I actually know the recipient of an actual, Vatican-certified miracle. It happened when I was in middle school, so I can't quite remember the details of her illness, but it involved complications with her spinal chord and some of her internal organs. My middle school and hers (both run by the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales) started a novena asking for the intercession of Mother Francis de Sales Aviat. The miracle was attributed to Mother Aviat, and led to her canonization (she is now known as Saint Leonie Aviat).

Here is the link for an article about the miracle - the girl (Bernadette) and I were both counselors for a few summers at the camp my middle school ran. (Sister Anne Elizabeth, also in the article, was in charge of the kitchen and kept us from stealing the cinammon toast!)

County Press Online Article

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

Thanks for the ping! can't believe they're moving along so fast to his beatification. Of course, like someone else said, the decision has already been made--just formalities for us mere humans to go through to verify for ourselves. :^)

[coloradan]

I am not scoffing at anybody. I am just wondering how common spontaneous remissions are. If they are 1 in 10,000, and the Pope visited or prayed for 10,000 cancer patients, one might expect a remission even without any divine assistance. On the other hand, if they are 1 in a million, and the Pope only visited or prayed for 10 such people, the odds are much different.