The Church, for centuries before proceeding to a beatification and canonization of a Servant of God, requires certain special signs of divine action, which are usually called “miracle”. Today in the canonical norms for beatification, one miracle is required ordinarily besides the declaration of heroic virtues, and another miracle for canonization.
In 1955, in Bogotá, Colombia, a miraculous cure attributed to the intercession of Father Francisco Palau y Quer of Jesus Mary Joseph, took place in the person of Mr. Leoncio Godoy Méndez, a 47 year old engineer driver of the national railways of the Republic of Colombia.
Miracle for the Beatification
Mr. Leoncio suffered from a very serious railway accident and was transferred to the “Clínica Bogotá” (Bogotá) where the Carmelite Missionaries are having their apostolate. Mr. Leoncio, among other things, had undergone two major and serious cranial surgeries. The second intervention was performed between life and death. After this surgery, the surgeon, Dr. Mario Camacho Pinto, gave a despairing diagnosis:
“There is nothing more we can do. Only a miracle can save the patient or he will die.”
This was communicated to the family and to the Clinic.
The relatives of the patient, friends and the Carmelite Missionaries intensified their prayer to Father Francisco Palau, pleading for the miraculous cure of the sick. And Mr. Loncio was miraculously cured of a “large subdural post-traumatic hematoma, located at the left frontal-parietal intracranial region, complicated by a massive, uncontrolled haemorrhage, irrepressible and in a state of deep coma.” The cure was radical and total.
The Ordinary Process of the said cure was directed in 1960 at the Archbishop's Curia in Bogotá. In the years 1980-1981, the Process of verification ended. The authenticity of both processes was recognized by the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome.
On 17th February 1984, the Congregation of the Causes of Saints approved the validity of the Process of the miraculous cure of Bogotá.
On 5th January 1987, the Postulator General, Fr. Simeon of the Holy Family, ocd, signed the chronology of the miraculous cure and the SUMMARY was prepared. Thus began the final stage toward the Beatification of Father Francisco Palau y Quer.
On 8th February 1988, the usual stages of the Process having been followed, Pope John Paul II, in the presence of the Cardinals, declared:
This is clearly a miracle by God through the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Francisco Palau y Quer of Jesus Mary Joseph (in the world Francisco Palau y Quer), that is, the rapid and lasting cure of Mr. Leoncio Godoy Méndez from an “ imponente ematoma sottodurale post- traumatico di vecchia data, complicato da emorragia irrefrenabile e da stato di coma profondo.”
His Holiness desired that this Decree be published and registered in the Acts of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. The Beatification of Father Francisco Palau y Quer, OCD, took place on 24th April 1988 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Rome.
Another “miracle” attributed to the intercession of Francisco Palau
Statement of Mrs. Josefa Pardines about the instant healing of her hand with Stenosing tenosynovitis of the middle finger flexor tendon of the right hand:
In the recent years (about three years) I had been suffering from severe refraction of the middle (third) finger of the right hand, which was painful and hindered me from performing the household chores at home.
I visited Dr. Manuel Burdeus Ferrer, a Traumatologist, in January 1988.
I was diagnosed with stenosing TENOSYNOVITIS of the middle finger of the right hand. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory treatment for two months; after which I would return for check up. I was told that time of the need for surgery of the flexor of the middle finger.
We followed carefully the instructions of Dr. Burdeus, without obtaining any improvement.
On 24th March of the same year, accompanied by my husband Rogelio Mir, I visited again the same Dr. Manuel Burdeus Ferrer at the “Clínica Quinta de Salud La Alianza”, in Barcelona. I completed the prescribed two months’ treatment but without any improvement whatsoever. The Doctor confirmed to me the second time of the need for surgery. Conforming to the Doctor, we made the necessary arrangements and set the date of the operation for 28th March 1988.
Back from the Clinic, and once in our own house, my husband and I programmed those matters concerning our Chiropody Clinic, informing our patients and carrying out other business, in view of my operation and the post operation.
On 25th March, an unexpected event occurred: my husband, Rogelio Mir, woke up with influenza.
On the 27th, Sunday, my husband still had the flu. This day in the afternoon he manifested acute febrile illness. Therefore, it was time to make decisions relevant to my operation the next day. As things stood it was impossible for me to be admitted in the Clinic. My husband, obviously, could not accompany me, nor could I leave him alone with flu. With this situation, we talked to Sr. Ma. Pilar Herráez Vegas, cm, general supervisor in the said “Clinica Quinta de Salud La Alianza” in Barcelona. We told her of the difficulties that had arisen and requested her to cancel the operation set on 28th March, and asked her to inform Dr. Manuel Burdeus in due time.
In early April, my husband, after recovering from the flu, visited “La Alianza” for strictly personal matters. He did not miss to greet the community of the Carmelite Missionaries. The sisters spoke of the feast of the beatification of Father Founder Francisco Palau y Quer at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome by Pope John Paul II on 24 April, and the “Pilgrimage” from Barcelona to Rome. The sisters insistently invited us to take part in the journey and pilgrimage. The project at the moment did not excite us much as we had visited Rome in the past. But later, in our home, reflecting on the great event, and seeing that we have not had acquired any new commitment on the date of my operation, we changed our mind and with increasing enthusiasm, we accepted the invitation to take part in the “Fr. Palau Pilgrimage” – solemn beatification, Barcelona-Rome.
The pilgrimage, in cars, left Barcelona on 22nd April. Among the pilgrims were some CM Sisters, including Sr. Ma. Pilar Herráez and those who took charge of facilitating the trip. With the pilgrim book in hand, we had moments of praising God and invoked the precious intercession of Fr. Palau, our compatriot. Everything was amazing, but at times, the discomfort I felt in my hand hindered me from participating actively; though surely I joined the group prayer for the needs of the Church, Spain and the world.
Important milestones of the miraculous grace to Mrs. Josefa Pardines Cortada, through the intercession of Blessed Francisco Palau
24 April 1988
“From my heart I spoke familiarly with the New Blessed. I presented to him my infirmity. “
At the moment of the beatification of Father Palau, Mrs. Josefa Pardines invoked with faith the help and protection of the New Blessed. She did not need any special formula. The heart was the place of encounter with God and with his faithful servant BLESSED PALAU. IT WAS A PRAYER OF PETITION FULL OF CONFIDENCE AND BOLDNESS, just like “talking heart to heart”, spirit to spirit, from her own to that of Blessed Francisco Palau, glorified by the Church, his “beloved”, as he calls her.
Josefa tells us simply:
“Saint Peter’s Square looked beautiful. The tapestries tell us about the New Blessed. We fixed our attention on the still covered tapestry of Father Francisco Palau. Sitting on our seats, we waited impatiently for the arrival of the Holy Father and other bishops to the altar prepared in front of the Basilica.
The time was exact. One woman had four objects in her arms... she was like a bearer of the message of so many people begging for grace through each of the four New Blessed. This was for me like a renewed motivation and the lifting of the heart to Fr. Palau. But the strongest moment of my prayer was when Pope John Paul II, with the proper words of the ritual, declared Francisco Palau y Quer of Jesus Mary Joseph “Blessed”. While unveiling the tapestry, I felt a strong internal call urging me to ask Blessed Palau for the healing of my hand. I did so with great faith and devotion without hesitation, with full conviction and confidence.
“In my mind I spoke one on one with Blessed Father Palau: I am Pepita, with this disabled finger bothering me very much and impedes me from performing my duty as a wife and as a housewife. I ask you, Blessed Francisco Palau, cure me! Francisco Palau, cure me!” And so it happened; I was healed.
It was 24 April 1988, at the very moment of the beatification of Father Francisco Palau y Quer of Jesus Mary Joseph, ocd. by His Holiness John Paul II at St. Peter's Square, Vatican, and through the intercession of the new Blessed PALAU, Mrs. Josefa Pardines Cortada WAS GRACED WITH INSTANT, RADICAL AND TOTAL HEALING of Stenosing tenosynovitis of the middle finger of the right hand. Since then Mrs. Josefa Pardines enjoyed absolute normality with no ill signs of consequences. Glory to God in His saints!
The Return and “Communication of Life”
Josefa did not feel anything particular or special in her hand at the exact moment of healing. Everything was beautiful, great and simple but without noise or anything spectacular. She noticed a complete, clear and real cure; she confirmed it at the dining room of the Hotel when, almost instinctively, she reached out her hand to take a piece of bread. She truly saw her hand regaining strength, normal flexibility and capacity of movement... above all, it no longer hurt her. She had been healed completely.
In the dining room she let her husband notice it and shared with him the beautiful experience, saying, “Look, Rogelio, my hand has regained strength. I can fold my finger and can stretch it normally. I have asked Blessed Palau and he cured me.” But obviously, I spoke with more details after the meal. Her husband was the first witness to her healing. They decided to remain silent about the “miracle”, prudently in time.
According to the program, the same pilgrims themselves would be returning to Barcelona – round trip – travelling by the same number of cars. The celebration, joy, gratitude and recounting of experiences accompanied them throughout their journey back home. The experience of Mrs. Josefa Pardines was unique. Unlike any other, hers was extraordinary in its simplicity and veracity. What happened was something extremely unusual, something new and wondrous. The middle finger of her right hand was cured, completely cured. Hence she communicated it to Sr. Ma. Pilar Herráez, cm. She was radiant ... “But we were asked at the moment to be prudent about the healing which we believed to be true and truly miraculous.”
Once in Barcelona, Mr and Mrs. Pardines, with familial joy, lacked time to tell their children everything that had occurred and at what they could see and touch... “We celebrated so much. Father Palau has entered our lives”, says Mrs. Josefa Pardines.
A few days later, the couple Mir Pardines visited the “Clinica La Alianza (Barcelona). The Carmelite Missionaries particularly rejoiced at the news and praised God who manifests Himself in His saints. We could not keep silent. Mr. Rogelio Mir said, “It is the first miracle”; and he communicated in writing to the Provincial Superior, then Sr. Maria Jesus Zabalza.
Mr. and Mrs. Pardines also visited Dr. Manuel Burdeus, whom Josefa visited faithfully. However, he did not give importance to the event. Instead, he predicted a relapse and pains, and that the only remedy to this illness was an operation.
But Mrs. Josefa Pardines never again had a relapse. Her finger got well: normal flexion, without discomfort; she was able to perform her ordinary chores.
The medical certificates for the years 1991, 1994, 1995 and following, signed by Dr. Manuel Burdeus, confirmed that she was fully cured. HEALING HAD BEEN INSTANT, RADICAL AND TOTAL.
In Cuzco - Peru
Mr Isaac Vargas Mercado.
Cuzco, Peru
SUMMARY OF THE GRACE OBTAINED
THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF FATHER FOUNDER
This was the statement of Mr. Isaac: “I know I am not new to you, but I want to present myself: I am Isaac Vargas Mercado, a father of a family at Colegio “El Carmelo - Cuzco”, Peru. With the grace of God and Father Palau my family members are Lucila Ventura (my wife and my two children Anahí Aglacia and Isaac Alexander. I work at the “Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad” in Cuzco.
On 14th September 1991, I met an accident, which after many months I narrated to you in a cassette when we were visited by a Carmelite priest, Father Eulogio, in our city. But I never tire of saying that it was a miracle because the people who took care of my recovery from the accident, where I suffered second degree burns, also considered it a MIRACLE OF GOD. At that time Sister Rosa Barrueto, with Sister Jacinta Coronado, in a visit to me, brought a picture of Father Palau and told us that tonight we will pray for my speedy recovery. That night we did it as a family because the next day I had to undergo a surgical procedure consisting of skin transplants in the different parts of my body (hands and feet). The peak moment of my life was when the day after our prayers, the surgery was no longer necessary, since that night my wounds were healed, such that no intervention was needed.
We talked about this to the doctors and the persons who attended to me; my wife, my children, friends and family are, to this day, full of happiness. I never tire of thanking and proclaiming this miracle of Blessed Francisco Palau to whomever I have the chance to meet and say so.
Your communication gives me an opportunity to refresh all the graces I have received during my convalescence. At the same time the decision in life of my children is also a cause of our joy and happiness, feeling the presence of the Lord, the Virgin of Carmel and the help and support of Blessed Francisco Palau.
“Miracle” in Pasto - Colombia
Story of a “miracle”
My name is Concepcion Villarreal Vargas, mother of Adriana Giset Marcillo Villarreal.
I will tell the story of “A Miracle” obtained through the intercession of Blessed "FRANCISCO PALAU to my daughter.
Thirteen years ago my daughter met an accident, caused by a bicycle in Sandon, a town where my parents had a farm. During the Holy Week of 1992, Adriana went on holiday in the company of my parents, brothers and cousins. On Holy Tuesday, 14th April, she, along with her cousins, left the house to the village to call us by phone to ask how we were and when I would be travelling to be with her. We talked, and at their return from the town to the farm, the girls saw on the road a man looking gloomy and insane. The children were frightened and they passed from one place to another without looking sideways. At this moment a cyclist came at full speed, crashing and hitting Adriana against the road, seriously injuring her head, with deep scratches on her shoulder, hand and right knee, bleeding from mouth and nose.
Some men on motorcycle passing by the road at the time stopped and helped lift her up; seeing her serious condition, she was immediately taken to "Clarita Santos" Hospital of Sandoná. Upon arriving there, she was given first aid for the lacerations and blow in the head, leaving her under observation due to the delicate state of health. The grandmother of the girl, who was with her at the place, was asked for the presence of the parents. My father, Luis Eduardo Villarreal, called me that very day, about six in the evening and informed me what had happened. The news scared me so much and I immediately called my husband Humberto Marcillo, who travelled urgently to the town by the car of my brother in law, Alvaro Davila. They reached the hospital and at seeing the girl in critical condition he immediately decided to bring the child to the city of Pasto; it was useless to leave her there. The local doctor prevented him from transferring, but he did not heed to the suggestion; otherwise, the child would have died.
The return from Sandoná to Pasto was slow, Adriana had been in bad state. She reached the”Clínica del Seguro Social” in critical condition, on the dawn of Holy Wednesday, 15th April. She was attended to immediately by the chief doctor who was surprised to see her situation: hematoma in the right eye and bleeding from mouth, nose and eye. The girl used her hand to fan herself for air, telling me that she felt very hot and her head was in pain. After the examination, the doctor referred her case to the neurosurgeon on call, Dr. Francisco Medina, and had her admitted in the hospital, on the third floor of the Clinic, arranged by the nurse. An hour later, she restlessly lapsed into a coma.
The neurosurgeon requested an urgent scan to look at how she was at the incidence of the blow to the head. She was taken that day to the “Instituto Andino”, located at the commercial centre of Belalcázar. The girl was transported in an ambulance with oxygen and accompanied by a nurse. The result was handed immediately: it was necessary to operate her; the blow was great and she had a very large clot pressing on the brain; internal haemorrhage and cerebral oedema. That Wednesday, on returning from the Centre to the Hospital, I called Sr. Margarita Maria Velez, cm, to inform what had occurred. Sr. Leticia Misas answered my phone call and I expressed to her my pain and asked for spiritual help.
Adriana was operated by the neurosurgeon Francisco Medina and anaesthesiologist Luis Eduardo Rosales. After the intervention, the girl was put in the observation room of the operating room. (Recovery). Dr. Medina came out but he did not look so happy. When I asked, “how's my daughter? ", he answered: “recovering”. I prayed, asking God for His protection and salvation of my daughter. Barely an hour passed when Dr. Medina was called loudly to come urgently to the operating room. So afraid, wondering what happened, I asked a nurse who came out from there. She said, “Your daughter is dying...”
I felt like going crazy and it seemed that my life also went along with that of my child. I panicked. At that moment Sister Leticia Misas arrived giving me spiritual strength. Her words were: “Have faith. God is great. BLESSED FRANCISCO PALAU is going to help her.”
When the neurologist came, the physicians who were in the operating room, assisted him. She underwent surgery a second time. I only had to trust in Divine Providence. After the second surgery, she was placed under observation at the recovery room of the OR. At midnight she was transferred to the room assigned. There was no sure salvation in the medical diagnosis. Her condition was always critical. But I had great faith. On the 16th , Holy Thursday, the child remained quite restless during the day, and was in a coma. The doctor asked to be kept informed of the recovery, and to take vital signs continuously. She became serious during the night and the doctor requested for a second scan. She was taken that night from the clinic and brought again very carefully to the “Instituto Andino”. The result of the scan was: large cerebral oedema. Seeing the results Dr. Medina stated that the child needs to receive intensive care and should be transferred immediately to the Regional Hospital, a decision that I opposed, for I thought that if she were brought to that place I would never see her again alive.
On Good Friday, 17th April, I called Dr. Ilda Jojoa, coordinator of the “Clínica Maridíaz” service assistance, asking her not to transfer my child to another place and telling her that I knew that some new equipments have arrived for the installation of the ICU. I asked her to provide what my daughter needed for recovery. The request of a mother was attended to. Dr. Ilda provided what the child needed and installed them in the room. The days passed and I continued with great faith, praying to God and to Blessed Francisco Palau.
Holy Saturday, the 18th , about 9:00 o’clock pm, the child had seizures with symptoms of death, difficulty of breathing, blue lips and nails. Dr. Medina was urgently called, who stated that for the neurological part all was done. A nurse who was beside me, seeing my despair, said, "Call Dr. Ilda and tell her what is happening. Ask for the opinion of another neurologist, or a medical board.” Distraught, I did what was recommended, getting a favourable response. I asked the head nurse to send Doctors Hernan Eraso, a neurologist and Vladimiro Alvarez, pulmonologist; other physicians also came to observe the case of the girl. She was brought immediately to the operating room, performing tracheotomy on her and ordering an urgent lung x-ray. They found a small clot in the lung introduced to the bronchotracheal that was causing the lung infection and prevented breathing.
The neurologist performed lung brushing and aspirations to remove the infection. During these days, Sister Leticia Misas always accompanied me. Her presence was for me a breath of life. On Easter Monday, 20th April, my college classmate, Sister Margarita Maria Velez, cm, came and upon learning of the health of my daughter, immediately went to the clinic, bringing a "relic of Blessed Francisco Palau" sent by Sister Mariela Ballesteros. The medal was placed on the pillow of the bed where my daughter was, saying: “In your hands lie the salvation and improvement of Adriana.” I was also given a picture of Blessed Francisco Palau which has a novena of the Blessed at the back, and began to pray it at that very moment. On Tuesday, 21st April, at dawn, the girl showed a bit of improvement in breathing. It was a medical claim made by the two neurologists at their rounds, although the child continued to be in a state of coma with agitation. She remained this way until 30th April, the day when the neurologists determined to disconnect the equipment: serum, oxygen, vital signs detector, T-tracheotomy. Dr. Medina said, "We did everything that was within our possibilities; let us only hope for a miracle.” And he left for his room.
Seeing that the girl did not wake up, we transferred to the “Clínica del Niño” neurological centre, Bogota; our request was granted. On 4th May, the eve of the trip to Bogota,
Dr. Medina ordered for a third scanning, which was taken in the morning to see how she was before transferring her. That same day in the afternoon, my husband and I went to authenticate the airfare. When we returned to the clinic we saw a chaos among the doctors and nurses in the room of my daughter, stunned because the child has woken up. They said: “The girl spoke. It's a Miracle!” It was such a great happiness. She had asked for water and biscuits; but the trip was ready and we needed to confirm the health of the child.
Dr. Ilda arranged the trip to be accompanied by a nurse, for safety. On the 5th of May, we left early for the “Clínica del Ñiño” in Bogota. Upon arriving there, the girl was checked by a neurosurgeon, and reviewed the medical report sent. They admired the success of the operation but predicted that she could suffer a relapse such as total paralysis at the left side, in a restless state, dislocation of the eyeball, foot drop. Doctors say there was nothing more that can be done. Knowing this, we were determined to return to Pasto. Thus, on 7th May, we returned to the “Clínica del Seguro Social” (Maridíaz), disillusioned by all this. The girl always remained with the relic of Blessed Francisco Palau. The Carmelite Sisters prayed much for her and I continued praying the novena. I had great faith in the complete cure of my daughter. On 15th May, she was discharged from the clinic, with the doctors’ warning that she could possibly suffer any unexpected reaction. Her recovery was slow but always good. She left the Clinic with trauma but gradually, with therapies, her limbs were moving at the left side. The miracle was taking place. We took care of her very carefully. In the month of August she had her first period, normally, without any negative consequence.
In the month of September of the same year, she went back to the primary school and repeated the fifth grade, which she was not able to complete at the Colegio Champagnat of the Marist Brothers due to the accident. The medical certificate given by the neurosurgeon Francisco Medina states that the girl can continue her studies. Thanks be to God and to Blessed Francisco Palau, my daughter is completely cured. She finished high school; began her career as a psychologist; married and is now a mother of a little girl. During her pregnancy she did not show any health problem. So far, her life is normal, without any relapse from the accident. For all we have said about my daughter, she expresses thus: “I will always help people, as what they have done to help me.”
