Posted on 03/29/2011 1:43:00 PM PDT by NYer
The incredible recovery of a French man, who walked the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route in Spain after being cured of a paralysed left leg following a trip to Lourdes is being examined as a possible 68th miracle of the shrine
Serge Francois, a TV repair worker said he felt a warm glow spread down his herniated leg during a visit to Lourdes in 2002.
After having prayed at the Lourdes Grotto (above) Mr Francois reported the healing to the international Medical Committee of Lourdes (CMIL) and 20 doctors have agreed on the remarkable nature of the healing.
In the name of the Church, I publicly recognise the remarkable character of the healing from which Serge Francois benefited at Lourdes on April 12, 2002,” said Bishop Emmanuel Delmas of Angers in western France, where Francois lives. This healing can be considered a personal gift from God to man, as an event of grace, as a sign of Christ the Saviour.
Bishop Delmas said Mr Francois case would now be examined further before it is officially recorded as the 68th miracle of Lourdes.
He said that because of advances in medical science it was becoming increasingly difficult to officially class a remarkable healing as a miracle.
Miracles are a gift from God.
We’re going right after Easter, hoping for healing for Steve’s kidney disease.
God is dead. Nietzsche wrote such - before he died. Now they’re both dead. Wait - He’s still kickin’!!! Not Nietzsche, he’s still dead.
But this guy could have been cured by natural chance, however small, a number nonetheless, just like putting a monkey in front a computer - he COULD statistically produce “Hamlet”.
I don’t care how many monkeys you put in front of a typewriter, you are never going to get Hamlet out of them.
Isn't that axiomatic?
You may have noticed that the cure took place in 2002 - 9 years ago! If nothing else, the 9 year gap should prompt the question of why it too so long to proclaim this cure as miraculous in nature. That is because an extremely detailed process was enacted precisely to prevent what you are suggesting. Here is how it works:
Of the 3 million individuals who come to Lourdes every year, 500,000 are sick people hoping to be cured miraculously. By 1975, of the thousands of reported cures which had occurred since 1858, only 63 had been proclaimed authentic by the Church, which has a rigorous system for confirming them. There must be medical proof that the sick person was indeed sick to begin with, that the symptoms disappeared within hours, and that the cure lasted for several years. The patient is examined on the spot by a medical bureau, which sends its conclusions to the International Medical Commission of Lourdes, a group of medical specialists who meet once a year in Paris. If the commission regards the cure as authentic, the report goes to a canonical commission in the diocese from which the cured person came, and the bishop makes a pronouncement on it.
Some case histories:
Margerie Paulette, 22 years old, cured of tubercular meningitis in 1929.
Mademoiselle Dulot, cured of stomach and liver cancer in 1925 after an unsuccessful operation, in a condition so far advanced she could not eat or take liquids. When immersed in the baths, she felt pain, then strong hunger pangs.
Louise Jamain, cured in 1937 of tubercular peritonitis after receiving the Last Rites.
Jeanne Fretel, cured in 1949 of tubercular peritonitis, after a long illness in which she endured 13 operations. The miracle occurred as she received a consecrated wafer at the Altar of St. Bernadette. Her cure was confirmed by 21 doctors, and she dedicated herself thereafter to working at Lourdes.
Col. Paul Pellegrin, a veteran of several wars, cured of an abscess of the liver in 1950 while in the Lourdes baths.
Francis Pascal, cured of blindness and paralysis at the age of four in 1938.
Guy Leydet, cured of idiocy and paralysis in the baths in 1946.
Rose Martin, cured of cancer of the uterus in 1947. At the moment of cure, she felt "something moving inside--through my whole being."
In 1859, Professor Vergez of the Faculty of Medicine at Montpellier was appointed to examine the cures. Seven cures were recorded before 1862 promoting the argument for the recognition of the Apparitions by Bishop Laurence.
In 1905, Pope Pius X requested 'to submit to a proper process' the most spectacular of the cures of Lourdes. The Medical Bureau was set up to carry this out.
"Medical Bureau" has two different meanings. It is, first of all, a place in the Sanctuary with two offices where a doctor practices. This doctor receives the declarations and begins an examination of the facts according to the traditional criteria as it was defined in the 18th century by Cardinal Lambertini the future Pope Benedict XIV for the process of beatification
If the case appears serious, the doctor arranges a Medical Bureau which is a consultation where all the medical doctors, regardless of their religious persuasion, present in the Sanctuary on the day may attend.
If the doctor of Lourdes and the gathered medical bureau find in favour the file is sent to the International Medical Committee of Lourdes (C.M.I.L.). This is made up of some 20 members, respected in their own particular area. This committee has been in existence since 1947. In 1954, Bishop Théas wanted it to have a true international dimension.
This committee is chaired jointly by the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes and one of its members nominated by the Bishop for a set period of time which can be renewed. The doctor of Lourdes is the secretary to this committee.
This committee makes a judgement about a case. One or more of its members are them charged with examining it in detail and informing himself on all the medical literature published on related subjects... The person charged with the case may consult with colleagues on the outside. Normally the person concerned is not summoned to be present.
The Committee meets once a year, in the autumn. They examine the current files, When everything is in place (this can take some time) the committee decides by way of a vote whether to declare or refuse to confirm that this cure is inexplicable according to present scientific knowledge. A two-third majority is required for an affirmative vote.
The medical result is sent to the bishop of the diocese where the cured person lives. The bishop would, naturally, have been kept up to date with the proceedings. If is appears that the result is going to be positive the bishop is advised, in advance, to set up locally a small medical committee who can, at the given moment, consider the conclusions of the committee.
In the light of current events, the bishop can decide or abstain from recognising the "miraculous" character of this cure.
The current attitude of doctors is very respectful of the Magisterium of the Church. As Christians, they know that a miracle is a spiritual sign. They don't want to be judges on this matter. Moreover, for a modern mentality, it is difficult to say that something is "inexplicable". They can only say that it is "unexplained"
Meanwhile, the "Catholic" charismatics have "healing services", and their followers declare healing miracles all over the place, like they are nothing special. Of course not one has ever been authenticated by a competent medical body like the Lourdes 63 miracles in 150+ years.
Blessings... prayers that your hopes are fulfilled.
Mary Unites Christians, Cardinal Tells Anglicans (Pilgrimage to Lourdes Called a Miracle)
Anglican archbishop comes under fire for homily at Lourdes [Ecumenical]
On the Message of Lourdes
Pope delivers anti-euthanasia message at Lourdes
At Prayer (Pope's pilgrimage to Lourdes) [Ecumenical]
Pope Benedict XVl's Homily at Lourdes
Pope Benedict goes to France, and to Lourdes (full coverage and links) [Catholic Caucus]
Pope to Pray for World at Feet of Our Lady (of Lourdes) [Catholic Caucus]
Papal calendar: Lourdes visit, four new saints and the Bible Synod
Lourdes and Penance(Catholic Caucus)
Vatican marks 150th anniversary of Lourdes girl's visions of Mary
Pope OKs plenary indulgence for Lourdes' 150th anniversary [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus}
On Lent... and Lourdes (Benedict XVI's Angelus address)
The challenge of finding peace in Lourdes
Anglicans keep Lourdes anniversary (8 bishops plan unprecedented pilgrimage)
Lourdes
Trips to Lourdes to Cut Time Spent in Purgatory
A Different Take On Health Care: A Trip to Lourdes (Catholic Caucus)
Catholic Church officials call for more clergy to work at Marian shrine in Lourdes
150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Catholic Caucus)
Pope: From Lourdes to Seoul, I entrust the worlds sick and suffering to Mary [Catholic Caucus] (Locked)
fear and loathing at Lourdes (French bishops shudder 'avec peur')
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Woman whose healing is 67th Lourdes miracle tells her story
Catholic Church vets 67th Lourdes 'miracle'
Our Lady of Lourdes February 11
Our Lady of Lourdes
Paralyzed Woman Cured at Lourdes Shrine
Lourdes Has Its 66th Officially Recognized Miracle
You are posting on a Catholic Caucus thread.
Are you a Catholic? Would you like to be on the Catholic Ping List?
I do the Daily Readings, prayer requests, Saint of the Day, seasonal things and apologetics/ catechetics/prayer.
There are two Catholic ping lists. NYer usually posts news stories. Please contact her if you want to be on that list also.
You are posting on a Catholic Caucus thread.
Are you a Catholic? Would you like to be on the Catholic Ping List?
I do the Daily Readings, prayer requests, Saint of the Day, seasonal things and apologetics/ catechetics/prayer.
There are two Catholic ping lists. NYer usually posts news stories. Please contact her if you want to be on that list also.
Prayers for you and Steven.
Lourdes is worthy of belief, but there is no reason that magnificent miracles of the previous scale needs to appear there now as opposed to when it was a fresh apparition and God was using it to advance the faith.
R.M mailed me, it appears ‘Mission Accomplished’.
Thanks to rbiel2 who supplied the meat for the above post.
Yes. I was baptized Catholic, but to be honest, I haven’t participated or gone to church in a very long time.
I don’t really wish to be on the ping list, but I do appreciate the offer.
My faith in God is strong and I’m sure this forum has a lot of support for those who need it.
Who knows. Things may change for me later in life.
Thanks.
We need more like you.
Thanks. If Steve doesn’t get a miracle of healing, maybe I’ll get one of acceptance.
You’ll be in my prayers. How soon after Easter are you going?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.