So when I say we have a good reason, I mean it.
We have a date with The Pope.
You see, my dad is a Co-Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit, and 20 years ago he had a 14 year old patient named Kate.
To make an incredibly long story short, Kate had ovarian cancer, and her chemo and surgeries caused extreme complications, hemorrhage, and finally 25 minutes of cardiac arrest, which lead to multiorgan failure. She was in an induced coma for weeks and there seemed to be no chance of recovery.
After hearing about her, the Franciscan nuns in the area began praying for her recovery through The Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, a nun who had ties to the Franciscan nuns of Syracuse and spent her life helping lepers in Hawaii. After they started praying to the Blessed Mother Marianne Cope for Kate's recovery, her organs started improving, one my one. She eventually made a full recovery. In her discharge papers my dad wrote that there was no medical explanation for her recovery.
It was truly a medical miracle.
After that, my dad and Uncle Dan, the other Co-Medical Director of the ICU, underwent an intense investigation through the Vatican, and 12 years later The Pope officially deemed her healing a miracle. Through the eyes of the Catholic church my dad and Uncle Dan where the vehicles for The Blessed Mother Marianne's healing. They are still close with Kate and 20 years later she is doing great!
So, in May of 2005 we got to go with the cause to The Vatican to attend The Blessed Mother Marianne Cope's beatification! If you're not Catholic, that's the first step to becoming a saint. Once she has a second miracle attributed to her, she will be canonized and become a saint.
Kate and me with a really intimidating gladiator.
Our family (minus mama) and Uncle Dan's family before the audience with The Pope. Don't mind my brother! I have a feeling my cousins Emily and Laura will NOT be happy I posted this! But it's too cute not to :)
The Blessed Mother Marianne Cope will be canonized on October 21st, and my family is heading over the pond to attend and celebrate!
You can read more about the first miracle here. My dad is getting interviewed for a TV special on the miracle, so I'll see if I can snag a clip once it airs. Right now he is very stressed because they said he can't wear a fun tie!
He lives a very hard life.
As do I...do you have any idea how tiring it is to write The Blessed Mother Marianna Cope?

This is awesome Robin! Is Dom going with you?
ReplyDeleteHow special is this!! You will have to post more about your trip after it happens!
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible and you're very fortunate to take a part in it!! I can't wait to see how your trip goes!
ReplyDeleteYour family is just full of miracles! Just look at all you've come through! Love you and miss you and sorry I've been stalking you today
ReplyDeletethat picture.....
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing story and great opportunity!! Rome is absolutely beautiful...I would go again in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I have never heard of The Blessed Mother Marianna Cope! Congratulations to your dad on his success! And have fun of course!
ReplyDeleteSpeechless! This is such an amazing thing to have ties to! I'm in awe :)
ReplyDeletehahaha! That is definitely not my most flattering picture, but it's a great one of the group. Brings back so many good memories! I know I said it before, but I'm sooo sad I'm going to miss round 2. Who's going to help you scout out the cutest Swiss Guards?!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story. I am glad you get to be part of that! Enjoy Italy - I miss Europe!
ReplyDeleteAre you Catholic too? I recently converted. This is an AMAZING story, so incredible!
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