I had Parkinson’s
disease.
I was diagnosed in
June 2001.
The disease struck
the left side of my body, causing very serious difficulties
for me, given that I was left-handed. After three years, the
initial stage of the illness that was slowly progressive,
the symptoms began to get worse: an increase in tremors,
rigidity, pain, sleeplessness.
Starting on April
2, 2005, I began to worsen from week to week, I was wasting
away, day by day. I was no longer able to write (being
left-handed, as I said), or, if I tried to, what I wrote was
barely legible. I was no longer able to drive a car, except
for very short distances, because my left leg sometimes got
blocked, even for long periods and rigidity made driving
difficult. In addition, to do my work in the hospital, I
always needed more time. I was totally exhausted.
After
the diagnosis it was difficult for me to follow John Paul II
on television. However, I felt very close to him in prayer
and I knew that he could understand what I was living
through. I admired his strength and courage and they
stimulated me to not give up and to love this suffering.
Only love would give meaning to all of this. It was a daily
struggle but my only wish was to live it in faith and to
adhere with love to the Father’s will.
It was Easter 2005 and I wanted
to see our Holy Father in
television because I knew, deep
within me, that it would be the
last time I would have been able
to do so. All morning long I
prepared myself for that
“encounter” (he reminded me of
what I would be in three years).
It was hard for me, being so
young. However, an unexpected
occurrence in work did not allow
me to see him.
The evening of April 2, 2005 the
entire community had gathered to
participate in the prayer vigil
in St. Peter’s Square, live on
French television from the
diocese of Paris (KTO). At the
announcement of John Paul’s
death, my entire world fell
apart, I had lost the only
friend who could understand me
and give me strength to go
forward. In those days I felt a
great emptiness, but I also had
the certainty of his living
presence.
On May 13, feast of Our Lady of
Fatima, Pope Benedict XVI
officially announced the special
dispensation for the start of
the cause of beatification and
canonization of servant of God
John Paul II. Starting on May
14, my fellow sisters from all
the French and African
communities started asking John
Paul II to intercede for my
healing. They prayed
incessantly, tirelessly, right
up to the news of my healing.
I
was on vacation at the time. On
May 26. having ended a period of
rest, I returned to the
community, totally exhausted
because of my disease. “If you
believe, you will see the Glory
of God,” this was the verse from
the Gospel of St. John that,
since May 14, had kept me
company. But on June 1, I could
not take it any longer! I had to
struggle just to stay on my feet
and walk. On June 2, in the
afternoon, I went to find my
superior to ask her to release
me from my work. She asked me to
try and resist a while longer,
until the return from Lourdes in
August and added: “John Paul II
has not yet said his final
word.” He was surely present at
that encounter that took place
in such peace and serenity.
Then, my superior held out a pen
and asked me to write “John Paul
II.” It was 5 p.m.
With difficulty I wrote “John
Paul II.” As I looked at the
illegible writing, I remained
some time in silence. And the
day passed as it usually did.
At 9 p.m.,
after evening prayer, I left my
office to go to my room. I felt
the need to take a pen and
write, as if someone had ordered
me, “Take your pen and write.”
It was 9:30/9:45 p.m.
And my handwriting was perfectly
legible! Astonishing! I laid on
my bed, amazed.
Exactly two months has passed
since John Paul II returned to
the House of the Father. I
awoke at 4:30, amazed at having
been able to sleep. I suddenly
got out of bed: my body was no
longer painful, there was no
rigidity and inside, I was no
longer the same. Then, an inner
call and a strong desire to go
and pray before the Blessed
Sacrament. I went into the
oratory and stayed in adoration.
I felt a profound sense of peace
and well-being; an experience
that was too great, a mystery,
difficult to explain with words.
Still in front of the Blessed
Sacrament, I mediated on the
Mysteries of Light composed by
John Paul II. At 6 in the
morning I left to join my
fellow sisters in chapel for a
moment of prayer followed by
Eucharistic celebration. I had
to walk about 50 meters and at
that moment I became aware that,
as I was walking, my left arm
was swinging by my side, it was
no longer immobile. I also felt
a lightness and a physical
agility that I had not
experienced for quite some
time. During the Eucharistic
celebration, I was filled with
joy and peace. It was June 3,
feast of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. As we left Mass, I was
sure that I was healed. My hand
no longer trembled. I went again
to write and at noon I suddenly
stopped taking my medicine.
On June 7th, as
scheduled, I went to see the
neurologist who had been caring
for me for four years. He too
was very surprised as he noted
the sudden disappearance of all
the symptoms of the disease,
notwithstanding the interruption
of treatment for five days prior
to the visit. A day later, our
superior general asked all of
our communities to give thanks.
Every community then began a
novena to John Paul II.
It has now been 10 months since
any kind of treatment has been
given. I have resumed working
normally, I have no difficulty
in writing and I even drive the
car for long distances. I feel
as if I have been reborn: It is
a new life because it is not
like before.
Today I can say that the friend
who left our earth is now closer
to my heart. He made grow within
me the desire for adoration of
the Blessed Sacrament and love
for the Eucharist, that have a
priority place in my daily life.
What the Lord has allowed me to
live through the intercession of
John Paul II is a great mystery,
difficult to explain in words
... but nothing is impossible
for God.
