Waterbury Native One Step Closer to Sainthood

Hartford Archbishop Henry Mansell has just signed the documents of the investigation into a possible miracle attributed to the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney. The information is now being sent to the Holy See, where a team of medical experts and theologians at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will investigate the potential miracle.

Make sure to watch Crossroads Magazine this Saturday for the full story. Crossroads airs Saturday on WTXX at 10:30 a.m., and My TV 9 at 10:35 p.m.

St. Padre Pio: The Matchmaker?

St. Padre Pio the matchmaker? The holy priest who had the stigmata for 50 years led a couple to marriage. The couple, now residing in Somers, Connecticut, met back in the 1960s when visiting the friary of St. Padre Pio. They kept in touch and visited after this original meeting. Germain Bianchi wanted to marry the young woman, Ortrud, but she was not so sure. One more visit to see Padre Pio changed all that. The couple says what happened next was a miracle. During that time, the pilgrims would wait for the holy priest’s blessings in separate parlours: one for men, another for the women. Ortrud and Germain were both pulled from their respective crowd and taken to a private area. Both were surprised that the other was there too. Just then, Padre Pio walked in, placed his hands on both of their heads, and gave them a blessing. They took it as sign they were to marry.

Crossroads Magazine will have the whole story this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on WTXX, and 10:30 p.m. on My TV 9. Tune in for this inspiring story of a Connecticut couple and a modern day saint.

You can read Ortrud's description of this romance story here.

Photo Courtesy: PPPG.org (Padre Pio Prayer Groups).

Pope Approves Healing of Mass. Deacon by Newman

Pope Benedict XVI has approved a miracle in Massachusetts: the sudden healing of a Massachusetts deacon who suffered from a severe spinal disease. The miracle is attributed to Cardinal John Henry Newman, a 19th century English Catholic convert from Anglicanism. The Holy Father authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish decrees declaring miracles, martyrdom or heroic virtue for twelve deceased Catholics who are on the path to sainthood, including Cardinal Newman.

The healed deacon is Jack Sullivan. He shared his story over the weekend with inmates from Plymouth County Jail. He says he was studying to become a deacon, when the crippling pain interrupted the studies. He prayed to Cardinal Newman after seeing a show about him on the Eternal World Television Network. The pain left, but then returned a year later. The deacon prayed once again. He then felt a tremendous warmth and tingling. After this experience, Deacon Jack was healed of the spinal problem. He says the Cardinal "is always a part of me." He hopes to serve at the Beatification Mass.

You can read more here.

Official Vatican Announcement here.

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Massachusetts Deacon Healed by NewmanCardinals of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints have approved a miracle in Massachusetts. Deacon Jack Sullivan of the Archdiocese of Boston suffered from a severe spinal disorder. He prayed to Cardinal Newman, and was subsequently cured in August 2001. Deacon Sullivan tells the London Times he feels "awe and immense gratitude" to God and Newman. He says without the miracle, he would never have been able to complete studies to become a permanent deacon. While the cardinals approved the miracle at their June meeting, the Pope has the final say on this case. Cardinal Newman was a well known 19th century writer and priest. He converted to Catholicism after serving as an Anglican minister.

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Massachusetts Deacon Healed by Newman


A miracle in Massachusetts means Cardinal John Henry Newman is one step closer to sainthood. London’s Daily Telegraph reports Vatican consulters have approved a miraculous healing of a 69-year-old Marshfield, Massachusetts Catholic Deacon who was suffering from a severe disorder of the spine. The disease caused him to be “bent double.” After praying to Cardinal Newman, the deacon was healed. Pope Benedict XVI can now name Newman a Blessed. There is no word on when or where that will take place. Newman was an Anglican scholar who converted to Catholicism in the 19th century.

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