Along with their six children, ages 2 to 12, the couple from Frederick, Maryland, were invited to testify before pilgrims who followed “In the Footsteps of Blessed Michael McGivney,” an excursion through the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center of the Knights of Christopher Columbus. in New Haven.
Fifty pilgrims, including religious, families, such as the Hermosillo and others, visited places of Blessed McGivney’s non-secular life and formation at Waterbury and Thomaston on the day of his supper.
The Maryland couple shared a favor they said was granted through the intercession of Blessed McGivney. They spoke from the level of opera, the same level that the priest venerated more than a century ago to provide theatrical productions such as the Irish folk play “Handy Andy”. “
A few days before the New Year, Joseph had tested positive for COVID-19. Six days later, he began to feel tired and found that his oxygen point had decreased. He was admitted to the hospital on January 8 and placed on a ventilator.
“It was mild at first, and then all of a sudden I had lung failure, what they called acute respiratory failure,” he told Catholic News Service. “My final frame and lungs were compromised. “
Her condition worsened to the point where doctors told Megan that her husband needed an echo device for his blood circulation.
“I’m numb,” she said. It’s life-changing news, and two days before I think it would be fine. “
In search of a miracle, Megan sought the non-secular direction of Father Timothy Grassi, pastor of St. Grassi. James the Greater in Charles Town, West Virginia, for an advocate. The circle of relatives hoped to pray for the help of a blessed. Initially, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Blessed Solanus Casey, among others.
But when Father Grassi weighed the options, he advised Blessed McGivney. Before that day, the candidate for holiness was not on Megan’s radar.
He said, “Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to help families in distress, especially families without a father at home. You miss the father in your house. Let’s ask her to gather her circle of relatives and heal her husband,” Megan said. Catholic news service.
Megan and the circle of relatives relied on Father Grassi’s suggestion, sending the prayer for the canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney and a prayer of intercession to friends, parishioners of St. Brown. Michael McGivney, James the Greater and others they knew. On the same day, Joseph was taken to some other hospital in Baltimore; however, coincidentally, their oxygen levels doubled. For Megan, it was a sign that prayers were being answered.
“We take this as our call to battle. Our priest, our general, is a non-secular battle,” he said.
A few days later, Joseph’s sister Teresa took the initiative to make a pilgrimage to Father McGivney’s grave in St. Edward’s Church. McGivney. Mary in New Haven. Simultaneously, the Hermosillos called the pilgrimage center of Blessed Michael McGivney to request that a relic be venerated. as a component of Joseph’s crusade prayer for healing.
With the help of Peter Sonski, director of education at the Pilgrimage Center, and Brian Caulfield, vice postulator of Father McGivney’s cause of holiness, a relic was finally transported to the Maryland hospital.
Before that, Joseph’s memory of his fight against COVID-19 faded, in and out of consciousness. However, he obviously remembers the symbol of Father Grassi praying for him with the relic on January 20. The moment filled him not only with hope, but also with the confidence that he would be fine.
“I see the picture of Father McGivney,” Joseph says. When you give that confidence, it brings you that calm. “He added: “Among all the saints, they brought someone who has the tools, who has the theme and the experience. I needed it. “
Four days after being blessed, Joseph got rid of the fan, making slow innovations until he felt he was strong enough to be discharged. In total, he spent 32 days in the hospital. Today, he has fully recovered.
Since then, the Hermosillos have made a pilgrimage to New Haven in June and shared their healing story, recognizing the new grace they received. Joseph also joined the Knights of Columbus Council St. 12036. Teresa of Calcutta to Charles Town. The circle of relatives I also learned that others were returning to church and Mass after the campaign, and that faithful from all over the country, Canada and even Italy were praying for its restoration. Overall, the favor responded to a humiliating experience.
“It’s surreal to go through this,” Joseph said. We realize it wasn’t necessarily for us, it wasn’t just for us. Many other people have discovered the blessing and connection to our history. “
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