A teenage girl's ovarian tumors have disappeared, leading to claims of a miracle. The girl's family prayed a novena to Blessed Solanus Casey for intercession. Subsequent medical imaging confirmed the tumors had vanished before surgery. The family's experience could potentially impact the canonization process of Blessed Solanus Casey, and a follow-up scan confirmed the tumors had not returned.
2 months ago
In May 2024, Mary Bartold, a 16-year-old from Michigan, was diagnosed with two ovarian tumors 1 2. The tumors, measuring 7.3 cm and 1.5 cm, posed a risk to her health, potentially requiring the removal of her ovaries 1 2. However, prior to her scheduled surgery in August 2024, medical imaging revealed that both tumors had vanished 1 2. Three radiologists confirmed the disappearance, leading to the cancellation of the surgery 1 2. A six-month follow-up scan showed that the tumors had not returned 1 2.
The Bartold family attributes the disappearance of Mary's tumors to the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey, a Capuchin friar 1 2. Mary's mother, Susan, initiated a novena, a nine-day period of prayer, seeking Casey's help 1. The family also made a pilgrimage to Casey's tomb in Detroit, seeking physical and spiritual healing for Mary 2. Mary received Anointing of the Sick, and a wider prayer network was established 2. Susan Bartold shared the news of her daughter's healing on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the prayers offered 1 2.
The disappearance of Mary's tumors has not yet been officially declared a miracle by the Catholic Church 2. The process involves a thorough medical review, where medical records are examined by board-certified physicians 2. If no medical explanation can be found, the case is then sent to Church leadership in Rome for further evaluation 2. If recognized as a miracle, this event could significantly advance the cause for Blessed Solanus Casey's canonization, potentially making him the first American-born male canonized saint 1 2. Since 2018, the Solanus Casey Center has documented at least 300 reported favors linked to Casey’s intercession 1.
Blessed Solanus Casey (1870-1957) was a Capuchin friar who served as a porter at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit for two decades 1. Known for his humility and dedication to the sick, Casey was beatified in 2017 after Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession 1. A retired teacher from Panama, Paula Medina Zarate, was healed from a genetic skin condition after praying at Casey's tomb 1. The Catholic Church requires a second confirmed miracle for canonization 1.
The Church affirms intercessory prayer and miraculous healing.
The news article highlights the Bartold family's belief that the disappearance of Mary's tumors was due to the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey. The Catholic Church teaches that intercessory prayer, prayer on behalf of others, is a powerful and effective means of obtaining God's grace and blessings. This belief is rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the saints.
The Bible provides numerous examples of intercessory prayer, demonstrating its importance in the Christian faith. In the Old Testament, Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom, and Moses intercedes for the Israelites. The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of praying for one another.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the communion of saints, stating that "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness...They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...". This means that the saints in heaven, like Blessed Solanus Casey, can intercede for those on earth. The Church encourages the faithful to seek the intercession of saints, recognizing their holiness and closeness to God.
The reported disappearance of Mary Bartold's tumors is considered a potential miracle, which could advance the cause for Blessed Solanus Casey's canonization. In Catholic theology, a miracle is an extraordinary event that is scientifically inexplicable and attributed to divine intervention. Miracles are seen as signs of God's power and love, confirming his revelation and calling people to faith.
The Church approaches claims of miracles with caution and employs a rigorous process of discernment. This process typically involves medical experts who examine the evidence to determine if there is a natural explanation for the event. If no natural explanation can be found, the case is then submitted to theologians and Church authorities for further evaluation. This thorough investigation ensures that only genuine miracles are recognized.
Miracles play a significant role in the canonization process, which is the process by which the Church declares a deceased person to be a saint. Typically, two miracles are required for canonization. One miracle is needed for beatification (declaring someone "Blessed"), and another is needed for canonization. These miracles must be attributed to the intercession of the person being considered for sainthood and must occur after their death.
Blessed Solanus Casey was beatified in 2017 after a miracle was attributed to his intercession. The healing of Paula Medina Zarate from a genetic skin condition was recognized as the miracle that led to his beatification. The reported disappearance of Mary Bartold's tumors, if confirmed as a miracle, could serve as the second miracle needed for his canonization.
The news article about Mary Bartold's tumors vanishing after prayers to Blessed Solanus Casey touches on important aspects of Catholic faith, including intercessory prayer, miracles, and the canonization process. The Church believes in the power of prayer, the intercession of saints, and the possibility of miracles as signs of God's grace. The case of Mary Bartold is a reminder of the importance of faith and prayer in seeking healing and God's blessings.
How does this relate to Catholic teachings?
The news article highlights the Bartold family's belief that the disappearance of Mary's tumors was due to the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey. The Catholic Church teaches that intercessory prayer, prayer on behalf of others, is a powerful and effective means of obtaining God's grace and blessings. This belief is rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the saints.
The Bible provides numerous examples of intercessory prayer, demonstrating its importance in the Christian faith. In the Old Testament, Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom, and Moses intercedes for the Israelites. The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of praying for one another.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the communion of saints, stating that "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness...They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...". This means that the saints in heaven, like Blessed Solanus Casey, can intercede for those on earth. The Church encourages the faithful to seek the intercession of saints, recognizing their holiness and closeness to God.
The reported disappearance of Mary Bartold's tumors is considered a potential miracle, which could advance the cause for Blessed Solanus Casey's canonization. In Catholic theology, a miracle is an extraordinary event that is scientifically inexplicable and attributed to divine intervention. Miracles are seen as signs of God's power and love, confirming his revelation and calling people to faith.
The Church approaches claims of miracles with caution and employs a rigorous process of discernment. This process typically involves medical experts who examine the evidence to determine if there is a natural explanation for the event. If no natural explanation can be found, the case is then submitted to theologians and Church authorities for further evaluation. This thorough investigation ensures that only genuine miracles are recognized.
Miracles play a significant role in the canonization process, which is the process by which the Church declares a deceased person to be a saint. Typically, two miracles are required for canonization. One miracle is needed for beatification (declaring someone "Blessed"), and another is needed for canonization. These miracles must be attributed to the intercession of the person being considered for sainthood and must occur after their death.
Blessed Solanus Casey was beatified in 2017 after a miracle was attributed to his intercession. The healing of Paula Medina Zarate from a genetic skin condition was recognized as the miracle that led to his beatification. The reported disappearance of Mary Bartold's tumors, if confirmed as a miracle, could serve as the second miracle needed for his canonization.
The news article about Mary Bartold's tumors vanishing after prayers to Blessed Solanus Casey touches on important aspects of Catholic faith, including intercessory prayer, miracles, and the canonization process. The Church believes in the power of prayer, the intercession of saints, and the possibility of miracles as signs of God's grace. The case of Mary Bartold is a reminder of the importance of faith and prayer in seeking healing and God's blessings.
How does faith healing work?
Faith healing, within the Catholic context, involves seeking healing through faith in God, often through prayer, the sacraments, and the intercession of saints . The Catholic Church recognizes two kinds of healing: healing by divine grace and healing that utilizes the powers of nature .
The Church acknowledges that healing can occur through divine grace, as seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ, who performed many physical healings . The Church continues this ministry by interceding on behalf of the sick through prayer, the laying on of hands, and anointing with oil, asking for healing through the power of the Holy Spirit . The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out that the Holy Spirit sometimes gives to certain human beings "a special charism of healing so as to make manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord" .
However, the Church also recognizes the importance of natural means of healing through the practice of medicine . It is not our decision whether or not God will heal someone by supernatural means . Recourse to natural means of healing therefore remains entirely appropriate, as these are at human disposal . Christian charity demands that we not neglect natural means of healing people who are ill .
Faith plays a crucial role in seeking healing . The Lord’s only complaint is about their possible lack of faith: «If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith» (Mk 9:23; cf. Mk 6:5-6; Jn 4:48) . The sacraments of the Church extend through time the works of Christ during His earthly life . The healing power that emanates from the body of Christ, which is the Church, is actualized in the sacraments, to heal the wound of sin and to give new life in Christ .
The Church has received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick and strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick and accompanying them with her prayer of intercession . The Church prays for the health of all the sick, of all the suffering, of all the incurables humanly condemned to irreversible infirmity . She prays for the sick and she prays with the sick .
The Church examines all supposed miraculous cures with caution . Cure is something exceptional, that from the point of view of the divine "economy" of salvation it is an extraordinary and almost "supplementary" fact . The Church is extremely grateful for every cure, even if it is partial and gradual . Even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses .
Faith healing in the Catholic Church involves seeking healing through faith in God, prayer, and the sacraments, while also recognizing the importance of natural means of healing . The Church believes in the power of divine grace but also emphasizes the need for prudence and discernment in evaluating claims of miraculous cures .
A teenage girl's ovarian tumors have disappeared, leading to claims of a miracle. The girl's family prayed a novena to Blessed Solanus Casey for intercession. Subsequent medical imaging confirmed the tumors had vanished before surgery. The family's experience could potentially impact the canonization process of Blessed Solanus Casey, and a follow-up scan confirmed the tumors had not returned.
2 months ago
In May 2024, Mary Bartold, a 16-year-old from DeWitt, Michigan, was diagnosed with two tumors on her ovaries 1 2. The tumors measured 7.3 cm and 1.5 cm, posing a risk of serious health complications, including the potential loss of her ovaries 1 2. Scheduled for surgery in early August 2024, a miraculous turn of events occurred 1 2.
Just days before the surgery, imaging revealed that both tumors had vanished 1 2. Three radiologists independently confirmed the disappearance, leading to the cancellation of the scheduled surgery 1 2. A six-month follow-up scan confirmed that the tumors had not returned 1 2.
Faced with Mary's diagnosis, her mother, Susan Bartold, initiated a novena, a nine-day period of prayer, seeking the intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey 1. The family also undertook a pilgrimage to Blessed Solanus Casey's tomb in Detroit, seeking physical and spiritual healing for Mary 2. Mary received the Anointing of the Sick, and a wider prayer network of family and friends was established 2. Susan Bartold shared the news of her daughter's healing on Facebook, attributing it to the power of prayer and Blessed Solanus Casey's intercession 1 2.
Blessed Solanus Casey was a Capuchin friar who served as a porter at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit during the early 20th century 1. Known for his humility and service to others, Casey is said to have interceded in healing the sick both during his life and after his death in 1957 at the age of 86 1 2. He was beatified in 2017 1 2. The Catholic Church has received over 300 reports of favors linked to Casey’s intercession since 2018 1. If another miracle is officially recognized by the Vatican, Casey could be canonized, becoming the first American-born male saint 1 2.
Fr. Edward Foley, the vice postulator for Bl. Solanus Casey’s cause for sainthood, acknowledged awareness of Mary Bartold's story 2. The process for official recognition involves a thorough review of medical records by board-certified physicians 2. These physicians determine if there is a medical explanation for the healing 2. If no medical explanation is found, the case is sent to Vatican leadership in Rome, who then decide whether to declare the healing a miracle 2. The recognition of a miracle is a crucial step towards canonization 1 2.
The Church clarifies the role of saints in miracles.
The Catholic Church clarifies that saints are intercessors, not the source of miracles . Miracles are ultimately attributed to God's power and action . Saints, who have attained perfect union with Christ, intercede on our behalf, presenting our prayers to God .
The saints in heaven, through Christ, do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, showing forth the merits which they won on earth through the one Mediator between God and man . The Church teaches that it is good and useful to invoke the saints and have recourse to their prayers, aid, and help for obtaining benefits from God, through Jesus Christ . The saints contemplate God, praise him, and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth . Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan . We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world .
Saints are witnesses to the universal vocation to holiness . As outstanding witnesses of faith, they are not representatives of the past but rather constitute the present and future of the Church and of society . The Church recognizes the heroic virtues of the saints in the canonization process and recommends them as models for the faithful . By canonizing some of the faithful, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors .
Prayer is offered to God alone because all our prayers ought to be directed to obtaining grace and glory which God alone gives . We pray to the saints not that God may learn our petition through them, but that by their prayers and merits our prayers may be efficacious . The main stages in the recognition of holiness by the Church, that is, beatification and canonization, are linked to each other by a bond of great coherence . To them should be added the ascertainment of some extraordinary gift, the miracle, which the Lord grants through the intercession of his faithful Servant .
Saints are intercessors who pray for us and serve as models of holiness, but God is the ultimate source of all graces and miracles . The Church encourages the faithful to seek the intercession of saints, recognizing their role in bringing us closer to Christ and obtaining God's blessings .