The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress
 
"My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber"
(Ps 121:1-3)

For months I had been suffering from various complications in the stomach. To add to it was a severe back ache and pain in the leg. This prevented me from sleeping. Doctors' prescriptions did not help to alleviate the pain. Inability to eat made me lose weight drastically. This state of affairs became worse till I could hardly walk. I even lost faith in God. At this time my illness was diagnosed as cancer which had spread into the liver. Only prayer could help, opined the doctors. A major operation would be necessary, they added.

All the sisters of our congregation began praying for me. In these circumstances I was inspired to go to Divine where, I heard, sick people abandoned by medical science, were healed. Though my faith was not strong enough and I hesitated, I eventually landed at Divine. Consoling Scriptural passages rekindled my hope, for example, "See, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear" ( Is 59:1).

Preparing myself to accept cheerfully the pain and difficulties God sends me and hoping that God’s will be accomplished in me, I began to pray: "Dear Jesus, I love you because of this illness. I praise you and thank you for it. If you will it, I can be healed".

I took part in the Inner Purification retreat led by Thomas Paul from September 14th onwards. On the 2nd day of the retreat, Fr George Panackal announced during Holy Mass, "God is healing one who has cancer of the colon". At that time I could see a burning lamp coming towards me. On the two following days Father announced, "Jesus is touching Jyothi" (that was my maiden name). I returned to the convent extremely happy, having experienced God’s boundless love and mercy. Subsequent medical tests proved that the miraculous healing I received was authentic.
 

Sr Zita Stella Samson
Holy Angels' Convent,
Trivandrum