The risen Jesus works miraculously through His saints, giving hope and healing even in the most desperate situations. Sometimes it only takes child-like trust and earnest prayer to witness a miracle.
I was born into a large Catholic family, and my parents passed on the gift of faith for which I remain profoundly grateful. Together with my husband, Luke, I have seven children. In 2013, we moved house, and Luke – assisted by his family – renovated our rented flat. Unfortunately, once the work was finished, he began experiencing discomfort when moving. A doctor’s examination revealed a hydrocele on his testicle, and suspected an early-stage tumour.
AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS
Luke accepted these developments with calm faith, convinced he would encounter God in a special way through this trial. After surgery to remove the hydrocele and one testicle, the histopathological results showed cancer. The anaesthesia had also been administered incorrectly, causing the loss of cerebrospinal fluid, and leaving Luke bedridden for several months.
Unable to stand upright for long without severe headaches and muscle stiffness, he could not work. At the time, we already had three children at home and minimal outside help. Despite possessing valid grounds, we chose not to sue for compensation. Remarkably, God sustained us with strength, joy, and even financial provision such as we had never experienced before. We also learned the profound truth that serving another person is ultimately a service to Christ.
AN UNEXPECTED MIRACLE
The subsequent ultrasound baffled everyone: the four-centimetre tumour had vanished, leaving behind only a slightly enlarged lymph gland. Elated, we posted the set of medical images to a highly respected radiologist, who confirmed the complete disappearance of the tumour.
We received this staggering news on Luke’s 28th birthday. Convinced of Saint Charbel’s intercession, we thanked God for granting us a miracle we had never anticipated. In September, we welcomed our daughter Lucia, followed by Dorothy two years later, then Timothy, and finally Teresa. Our testimony is intended for those who, as we once did, struggle to believe that God intervenes miraculously.
He is ceaselessly at work, though many of His wonders go unnoticed – especially the greatest miracle of all, the Eucharist.
CONCLUSION
The miracle we witnessed is a powerful reminder of God’s immeasurable love. Our weaknesses and sins cannot stop this love from reaching us. We cannot earn His grace. Indeed, even in seemingly hopeless circumstances, God offers peace, joy, and His abiding presence to all who turn to Him. In that grace, we discover ourselves as beloved children of God, always invited into the divine embrace.
Testimony by Marianna