What are the approved miracles at Lourdes? (Part 4 – Miracles 59 to 72)

The first healings at Lourdes were recorded in 1859, beginning what would become one of history’s most meticulously investigated collections of miraculous claims. Through the decades, the International Medical Committee of Lourdes (C.M.I.L.) has thoroughly examined each reported cure, requiring multiple medical examinations and confirmations from various doctors over extended periods. This process embraces both medical and canonical evaluations, ensuring every recognized miracle withstands the most intense scrutiny possible.

What I find most captivating about these Lourdes France miracles is their remarkable diversity – ranging from tuberculosis to cancer and severe neurological disorders. Despite our advanced medical science, these 72 miracles of Lourdes remain beyond explanation by conventional medicine.

This final part examines approved miracles 59 to 72, the final 14 which have scientific and the Church church thorough scrutiny. These and all the previous miracles offer a profound testimony to faith that transcends medical explanation. Throughout the Scriptures and Church tradition, we find that God works through physical signs to manifest His mercy – these accounts continue this sacred tradition into our present age.

Miracle 59: Marie Bigot

Marie Bigot stands as the 59th officially recognized miracle at Lourdes, a case that reveals both the severity of her affliction and the inexplicable nature of her recovery. Her story adds another remarkable chapter to the Lourdes miracles list that continues to challenge medical understanding worldwide.

Marie Bigot’s illness and condition

Marie Bigot came from La Richardais, France, and was 31 years old when she first journeyed to Lourdes in 1953 [1]. She suffered from a devastating neurological condition diagnosed as arachnoiditis of the posterior cranial fossa [1]. This serious medical condition involves inflammation of the arachnoid membrane that covers the brain, specifically affecting the posterior region where vital bodily functions are controlled.

The consequences of her condition were severe and truly debilitating. Marie experienced what we might call a triple disability that effectively isolated her from the world around her. She had become completely blind, unable to perceive even shadows or light. Furthermore, she suffered from total deafness, incapable of hearing sounds of any kind. Adding to these burdens, Marie struggled with hemiplegia—paralysis affecting one entire side of her body [1]. These combined afflictions left her almost entirely dependent on others for basic care and unable to communicate normally with those around her.

Healing experience at Lourdes

Marie’s journey to Lourdes began with her first visit on October 8, 1953 [1]. She subsequently returned for a second pilgrimage on October 10, 1954 [1]. According to the accounts, her healing occurred in an unexpected and dramatic fashion during a sacred ceremony at the sanctuary.

During the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, where Catholics believe Christ is truly present in the consecrated host carried in procession, something extraordinary happened. Without warning or gradual improvement, Marie suddenly regained both her eyesight and hearing [1]. Unlike many medical improvements that develop gradually over time, witnesses described her recovery as immediate and complete.

The transformation astonished those accompanying her. One moment, Marie was completely blind and deaf; the next, she could see and hear clearly. This sudden shift from disability to ability occurred without medical intervention, physical therapy, or any natural explanation that physicians could identify.

Medical verification and Church recognition

Following her reported cure, Marie’s case underwent intense scrutiny by the Lourdes Medical Bureau. They documented her previous condition through medical records and examined her thoroughly after the reported healing.

The medical experts confirmed that Marie’s recovery defied conventional medical understanding. Not only had her symptoms disappeared completely, but the underlying neurological damage that had caused her blindness, deafness, and hemiplegia appeared to have been reversed—something considered medically impossible for her specific condition.

After thorough investigation and documentation, the Church officially recognized her healing as miraculous on August 15, 1956 [1].

Marie Bigot’s case remains particularly noteworthy among Lourdes France miracles because it involved the simultaneous healing of multiple serious neurological conditions that typically leave permanent damage.

Miracle 60: Ginette Nouvel

Following Marie Bigot’s remarkable healing, we now turn to the 60th official miracle in the Lourdes miracles list – the extraordinary case of Ginette Nouvel. Her recovery provides yet another compelling testimony that continues to challenge the understanding of medical professionals worldwide.

Ginette Nouvel’s medical history

Ginette Nouvel (née Fabre), a 26-year-old woman from Carmaux, France, suffered from a rare and grave condition known as Budd-Chiari syndrome [1]. This serious diagnosis involves thrombosis (blood clots) forming in the hepatic veins that drain the liver. The condition creates dangerous blockages that prevent blood from flowing properly out of the liver, resulting in severe complications including liver damage, fluid accumulation, and potentially fatal liver failure.

Medical treatments for this condition were extremely limited in the 1950s, making her prognosis particularly concerning. The medical literature of that era describes this “supra-hepatic venous thrombosis” as typically leading to progressive deterioration of liver function [5]. The available interventions at that time could rarely reverse the damage caused by such vascular obstructions.

Healing at Lourdes

Ginette’s encounter with the sacred waters occurred on September 21, 1954 [1]. She journeyed to the sanctuary as part of a pilgrimage, seeking spiritual comfort amid her difficult medical journey. While the specific details of her healing experience aren’t extensively documented in available records, what remains undeniable is that something extraordinary transpired during her visit to this holy site.

The healing appeared complete and lasting, with no signs of the previously diagnosed hepatic vein thrombosis that had threatened her very life.

Post-healing life and recognition

Upon returning from Lourdes, Ginette underwent thorough medical examinations to verify her condition. Physicians who had previously treated her conducted comprehensive evaluations to understand what had occurred. The International Medical Committee of Lourdes (CMIL) examined her case extensively and found no scientific explanation for her recovery.

After nearly nine years of investigation and monitoring to confirm the permanence of her healing, the Church officially recognized Ginette Nouvel’s cure as miraculous on May 31, 1963 [1]. This recognition places her among the select group of Lourdes France miracles that have withstood rigorous medical and canonical scrutiny.

What makes her case particularly significant among the 72 miracles of Lourdes is the rarity and severity of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Medical literature from that era indicates extremely limited treatment options and poor outcomes for patients with her condition. Yet her recovery appeared complete and lasting, with no recurrence of symptoms or complications that would typically be expected with such a diagnosis.

Miracle 61: Elisa Aloi

The story of Elisa Aloi stands as the 61st recognized miracle in the Lourdes sanctuary, presenting one of the most dramatic cases of tuberculous healing. Her recovery continues to inspire those who examine the Lourdes miracles list for its completeness and permanence.

Elisa Aloi’s tuberculosis and suffering

Born on November 26, 1931, in Patti, Sicily, Elisa faced hardship early in life [1]. Both her parents died prematurely—her father from tuberculosis and her mother from a heart defect [1]. Her own health troubles began when she was nearly 17 years old, starting with what doctors called a “white swelling” of the right knee, medically identified as tuberculous arthritis [1].

Throughout the following decade, her condition deteriorated drastically. Elisa developed multiple tuberculous infections throughout her body, primarily affecting her bones and joints [1]. Medical records show she suffered from tuberculous osteo-arthritis with fistulae (abnormal passages) at numerous sites on her lower right limb [1]. These infections created open wounds that continuously secreted pus, requiring frequent hospitalizations.

By 1958, Elisa’s condition had become desperate. Her limbs were completely paralyzed, with movement of feet, knees, and femurs impossible [1]. She was encased in a pelvis-to-foot plaster cast with four fistulae draining through it—a clear indication of the severity of her condition [1].

Healing moment and aftermath

Elisa’s journey to Lourdes began in June 1957 with an initial pilgrimage that yielded no apparent improvement [1]. Nevertheless, she returned in June 1958 in substantially worse condition [1]. From June 4-13, 1958, she participated in the pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Unitalsi group from Sicily [1].

During the first days at Lourdes, her condition remained unchanged. The doctor accompanying the sick pilgrims noted that “abscesses opened on the surface, secreting a smelly greenish liquid” [1]. At Elisa’s request, these wounds were treated with Lourdes water, which was also injected under her skin.

What happened next is truly remarkable. On the third day, the fistulae stopped secreting fluid entirely [1]. Elisa began feeling better and noticed she could move her toes—something previously impossible. She requested to have her plaster cast removed, though the pilgrimage doctor suggested waiting for her regular physician to make this decision [1].

Medical and canonical approval

Upon returning home, Elisa’s transformation astonished her regular physician. I find his documented statement particularly moving: “Miss Elisa returned from Lourdes perfectly healed and she feels so well that it is almost impossible to believe this is the same person, which used to be here in desperate conditions” [1]. Indeed, just ten days after leaving Sicily, her surgeon confirmed, “Elisa ALOI returned from Lourdes completely cured” [1].

Her case underwent extensive review by the International Medical Committee of Lourdes in 1960. Professor Salmon, the committee’s recorder, prepared a report confirming her cure as medically inexplicable [1]. Ultimately, after thorough investigation by the Canonical Commission, Archbishop Francesco Fasola of Messina officially declared “that the cure from multiple fistulous tuberculosis, which happened to Elisa ALOI, is miraculous” on May 26, 1965 [1].

Perhaps the most convincing evidence of her complete healing came in the years that followed. Elisa married shortly after her cure was recognized and, between 1966 and 1974, gave birth to four healthy children [1]—undoubtedly confirming the complete restoration of her health.

Miracle 62: Juliette Tamburini

As the 62nd recognized miracle on the Lourdes miracles list, Juliette Tamburini’s case demonstrates the profound mystery of suffering and the unexpected nature of divine healing. Her story reminds me of how God often works – not according to our timeline but His own perfect wisdom.

Juliette’s long illness and surgeries

Born December 4, 1936, in Marseilles, France, Juliette Tamburini began her journey of suffering in 1948 at just 12 years of age [1]. What doctors initially identified as a bone lesion in her left femur marked the beginning of an eleven-year battle with osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that would dominate her young life [9]. Throughout this extended period, Juliette endured frequent admissions to hospitals and sanatoriums, disrupting what should have been her formative years [1].

Most notably, she underwent eleven separate operations between 1948 and 1959, including four specifically for bone curetting (surgical scraping) [1]. These procedures resulted in fistula formation – abnormal passages that continuously discharged purulent material requiring at least twice-daily dressing changes [1]. Adding to her suffering, Juliette experienced repeated epistaxis (nose bleeds) necessitating urgent medical interventions approximately every three months [1].

Her teenage years and early twenties passed under the shadow of chronic pain and disability. Medical records show that her condition persisted despite the best available treatments of that era. As we read in the Scriptures, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” – and certainly Juliette’s afflictions were many.

Healing at Lourdes

In July 1959, at 22 years of age, Juliette traveled with her Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, seeking spiritual comfort after exhausting all medical options [1]. On July 17, 1959, something extraordinary occurred when Lourdes water was used to syringe her fistulous tract [1].

Immediately following this application, an unexpected transformation took place – the profuse discharge dried up completely, the fistula closed, and remarkably, even her recurrent nose bleeds ceased [1]. What makes this account particularly interesting is that her family initially did not publicize this healing, as similar improvements had occurred before but never lasted [1]. This shows the prudence and caution with which they approached what would later be recognized as miraculous.

Recognition and long-term health

The path to official recognition began in 1960 when Juliette first visited the Medical Bureau of Verification at Lourdes [1]. For the next three years, she underwent thorough examinations in 1961 and 1963 to verify her condition [1]. The International Medical Committee carefully reviewed her case, and on May 3, 1964, Professor Salmon presented a report concluding that “this instantaneous cure, without any convalescence, must be regarded as medically inexplicable” [1].

Following the proper procedures that the Church wisely instituted for such cases, Archbishop Marc Lallier of Marseilles officially declared Juliette’s recovery miraculous on May 11, 1965, after receiving favorable recommendations from the Canonical Commission [9]. The Church waited six years to ensure her healing was permanent before granting this recognition [9] – this demonstrates the prudence with which such claims are evaluated.

Medical records confirm that Juliette remained in excellent health for decades following her cure, with no relapse or recurrence of her previous condition [1]. Her case stands as compelling testimony among the 72 miracles of Lourdes that have received full ecclesiastical recognition. This healing reminds us of God’s continuing work in our world – as St. Augustine noted, miracles do not contradict nature, but only what we know of nature.

Miracle 63: Vittorio Micheli

Vittorio Micheli’s case, recognized as the 63rd miracle at Lourdes, stands as one of the most remarkable healings in the sanctuary’s history. What makes his cure particularly extraordinary is the complete bone reconstruction that occurred after his visit – a phenomenon that continues to defy medical explanation.

Diagnosis of sarcoma

In April 1962, Vittorio Micheli, a young Italian soldier of just 23 years serving with the Alpine Corps, began experiencing severe pain in his left hip region [2]. Initially, military physicians paid little attention to his complaints until the pain became so unbearable that it affected his ability to walk. Upon admission to the military hospital in Verona, he underwent comprehensive clinical examinations, X-rays, and biopsies that led to a devastating diagnosis in June 1962: malignant sarcoma of the left pelvis [10].

What followed was a rapid deterioration as the cancer aggressively destroyed bone tissue in his hip. X-rays eventually revealed “almost complete destruction of the left pelvis” [11]. The damage was so extensive that his left leg essentially detached from his pelvis, remaining connected only by soft tissue [12]. His condition proved so grave that doctors deemed him too weak for radiation therapy after just three days of treatment [12]. As a final measure, physicians placed him in a hip-to-foot plaster cast to stabilize his condition, yet offered no further treatment options as his case was considered terminal.

Healing and hip reconstruction

At his mother’s urging – and through her profound faith – Micheli traveled to Lourdes in May 1963 [10]. Still encased in his plaster cast, he was immersed in the sacred baths where countless healings had occurred since the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette. As he later recalled: “I did all the services, processions, Stations of the Cross, [bathed in] the pools… it’s not like I noticed anything” [2].

Upon returning home, however, Micheli experienced immediate changes that suggested something profound had occurred. “I no longer needed pain relievers. And then I started eating again… there was this sense of well-being, of tranquility” [2]. He began walking with his cast and crutches – a movement previously impossible due to his detached hip. When doctors finally took new X-rays, they were astonished to discover not only had the tumor disappeared completely [2], but sequential X-rays documented “a remarkable reconstruction of the bony tissues of the pelvis, which had been completely destroyed” [12].

What is this if not a sign of God’s merciful intervention? The regeneration of completely destroyed bone tissue stands as one of the most scientifically inexplicable aspects of any Lourdes healing.

Medical and Church validation

The medical verification process for Micheli’s case was exceptionally thorough, as is consistent with all alleged miracles at the sanctuary. The International Medical Committee of Lourdes reviewed his case in 1969 and again in 1971, ultimately reaching “unanimous agreement that this was a medically inexplicable cure” [10]. The committee particularly noted that bone regeneration of this magnitude was unprecedented in cases of sarcoma – a type of cancer that destroys rather than builds bone tissue.

On May 26, 1976, after 13 years of careful investigation, Archbishop Alessandro Gottardi officially declared Micheli’s healing miraculous [1]. The declaration cited “sufficient evidence for the recognition of a special intervention by the Power of God” [1].

For many years, he served as a volunteer “brancardier” (stretcher-bearer) at the sanctuary, helping others seeking the same healing he experienced. When asked why he believed he was chosen for healing among thousands, he humbly suggested it might have been “the merit of my mother” whose faith had brought him there [2].

This case reminds us of the Scripture passage where Jesus tells the woman with the hemorrhage, “Your faith has healed you” (Mark 5:34). Like that Gospel account, Micheli’s healing demonstrates how faith often serves as the vessel through which God’s healing power flows.

Miracle 64: Serge Perrin

The 64th miracle in the Lourdes miracles list belongs to Serge Perrin, whose recovery from bilateral carotid artery disorder stands as one of the most thoroughly documented cases of neurological healing at the sanctuary. His case reveals not only the power of divine intervention but also the meticulous process through which the Church verifies these extraordinary events.

Neurological condition and blindness

What happens when the pathways of life-giving blood to the brain become compromised? This was the grave reality facing Serge Perrin beginning in February 1964. At just 35 years of age, he suffered a sudden right hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) that mysteriously regressed without explanation. His condition remained stable until December 1968, when he experienced another abrupt attack with loss of consciousness. Unlike his previous episode, this time there was no improvement after several weeks of treatment.

By March 1969, Perrin’s condition had deteriorated to such an extent that he was admitted to the Neurosurgical Unit at Rennes Hospital. There, Professor Pecker diagnosed him with thrombosis in the left carotid artery—a condition deemed unsuitable for surgery. Throughout the following year, his health declined progressively. By April 1969, specialists confirmed his cerebral circulation insufficiency had become bilateral, affecting both sides of his brain.

Most notably, his condition worsened even after an initial unsuccessful pilgrimage to Lourdes. By October 1969, he received a third-category invalidity pension as he required constant assistance for daily living. Within months, his symptoms intensified dramatically:

• He became virtually blind

• He experienced frequent “cerebral eclipses” (syncopes)

• He faced the grim reality of permanent disability

This shows the extent of his suffering and the medical impossibility of his situation. As we read in the Scriptures, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God.”

Healing during pilgrimage

At his wife’s urging, Perrin reluctantly joined the Pilgrimage from Anjou in 1970 for a second attempt. On the final day of his visit, something extraordinary occurred during the Ceremony of Anointing the Sick. During this sacred ritual, he began experiencing returning sensations that defied medical explanation.

That same afternoon, Perrin discovered he could walk without his walking sticks and see without his spectacles. As he described it, he felt “a sudden warmth from head to toe, his vision returned, and he was able to walk unaided.” Upon leaving Lourdes, he was completely convinced of his cure—a testimony to the immediate and profound nature of divine healing.

Medical and canonical confirmation

After returning home, medical examinations revealed a startling fact—there were no longer any anomalies present in his body. The Medical Bureau of Lourdes, upon being informed in October 1970, confirmed on May 1, 1972, that his cure was “certain, instantaneous and lasting.”

The verification process was exceptionally thorough, following these steps:

1. A Diocesan medical Commission in 1974 verified that his cure remained permanent

2. By 1976, the International Medical Committee reviewed his case

3. Reports from Professor Mouren (neurologist) and Dr. Bartoli (ophthalmologist) were submitted

4. The committee unanimously concluded his recovery was “most unusual from the medical point of view”

Ultimately, on June 17, 1978, after eight years of investigation, Bishop Jean Orchampt of Angers officially recognized the miraculous nature of Perrin’s cure, calling it a sign of “the merciful love of God.” This recognition, coming after such rigorous examination, confirms the authenticity of this remarkable healing that defies purely scientific explanation.

Miracle 65: Delizia Cirolli

Among the remarkable healings in the Lourdes miracles list, Delizia Cirolli’s case stands as the 65th officially recognized miracle. I find her story particularly moving for two reasons: the young age at which she faced a devastating diagnosis and her mother’s extraordinary faith when confronted with seemingly impossible circumstances.

Delizia Cirolli’s medical background

At merely 12 years old, Delizia Cirolli from Paterno, Sicily received the devastating diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma in her right knee. This aggressive bone cancer carried a particularly grim prognosis in the 1970s when treatment options remained severely limited. Her medical team, seeing little hope through conventional treatments, offered what they believed was the only viable solution—amputation of her affected limb.

What happened next demonstrates the power of maternal faith in the face of medical certainty. Delizia’s mother, refusing the recommended amputation, made an extraordinary decision that would forever change her daughter’s life. Rather than accepting the medical consensus, she chose faith over surgery and determined to bring her daughter to Lourdes instead.

Healing experience

On December 24, 1976—Christmas Eve itself—Delizia visited the sanctuary at Lourdes. The timing seems providential, coinciding with the celebration of Christ’s birth. Following her pilgrimage, something truly inexplicable in medical terms occurred. Upon returning to Italy, her tumor began rapidly regressing until no evidence of the cancer remained. Medical professionals could offer no explanation for this remarkable turn of events.

It is important to note that while the cancer disappeared completely, the disease had already caused some structural damage. The sarcoma left Delizia’s tibia angulated, requiring a corrective surgical procedure called an osteotomy. Nevertheless, the disappearance of the malignancy itself remained beyond all medical explanation. This shows how God’s healing works—sometimes removing the disease entirely while allowing natural processes to address secondary effects.

Recognition process

The International Medical Bureau of Lourdes conducted their thorough investigation of Delizia’s case with their characteristic rigor. In 1982, they declared her recovery “a completely exceptional event in the strictest sense of the term contrary to all known information in medical experience and hence inexplicable.” Such formal assessment underscores the truly extraordinary nature of what occurred.

On June 28, 1989, after years of careful monitoring and verification, the Church officially recognized Delizia’s cure as miraculous. Her restored health proved permanent, and I find it particularly beautiful that Delizia went on to become a nurse, dedicating her life to caring for others. As recently as 2022, she was reported to be healthy and completely free of her original disease—a testament to the enduring nature of her miracle at Lourdes.

Miracle 66: Jean-Pierre Bély

I find the case of Jean-Pierre Bély particularly moving among the Lourdes miracles list, as it represents the 66th officially recognized miracle. What makes his healing especially noteworthy is both its thorough medical documentation and its relatively recent occurrence in our modern medical era.

Multiple sclerosis and invalidity

The journey of Jean-Pierre Bély into illness began in 1972 while he worked as an anesthesia and intensive care nurse [6]. How quickly life can change! His condition, ultimately diagnosed as multiple sclerosis, progressively deteriorated over the following years. By 1984, he could only walk with a cane, and a year later, required a wheelchair for mobility [6].

The disease showed no mercy in its relentless progression. By 1987, at age 51, Bély’s condition had become devastating—he was completely bedridden and classified by the French health system as 100% invalid [1]. His situation grew so severe that he required what the French system calls a “third-person allowance,” meaning he needed constant care from others for even the most basic daily tasks [6]. Many who accompanied him on his pilgrimage to Lourdes in October 1987 feared he might not even survive the journey [1].

Healing after anointing

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has a profound biblical foundation in the Letter of St. James (5:14-15): “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.” This Scripture was fulfilled remarkably in Jean-Pierre’s case.

On October 8, 1987, Bély received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the sick room at Lourdes [6]. The following day, he participated in Mass in the Rosary Square where he received the Sacrament of the Sick [6]. Afterward, while resting in the sick room, something extraordinary happened that defies medical explanation.

Without warning, Bély experienced a sudden sensation of cold that grew increasingly intense before transitioning into a spreading warmth throughout his body [6]. As he later described this profound moment: “At first I felt a little warmth in my toes, and then it began to rise to my ankles and legs, invading my whole body and bringing all my limbs back to life” [17]. Simultaneously, he discovered he could sit up on the edge of his bed and move his arms—physical actions that had been impossible for him [6].

That night holds perhaps the most dramatic moment of his healing journey. Despite being in deep sleep, he suddenly awoke to find he could walk for the first time since 1984 [6]. As he later reflected, this was more than merely physical healing—it represented “a sign of God’s tenderness and mercy” [17]. This understanding reveals the deeper spiritual significance beyond the physical transformation.

Medical and Church recognition

The path to official recognition began when Bély reported his cure to the Medical Bureau of Lourdes the following year [6]. The International Medical Committee of Lourdes (CMIL) conducted their first consultation in 1992, concluding his recovery was “not just unusual but inexplicable” [6].

After extensive examinations and consultations spanning years, on November 14, 1998, the CMIL officially declared his cure scientifically unexplainable [6]. What I find particularly compelling is that Dr. Patrick Fontanaud, an agnostic physician who treated Bély, confirmed there was no scientific explanation for what occurred [1]. This testimony from a medical professional without religious bias adds significant weight to the case.

The Church officially recognized his healing as the 66th miracle of Lourdes on February 9, 1999 [8]. Sadly, Jean-Pierre Bély passed away on October 27, 2005, at age 69, from “a new, grave, incurable illness, one having no relation to his initial condition” [18]. This reminds us that while God may grant miraculous healing in specific instances for reasons known to Him alone, we all ultimately face our mortality as part of the human condition.

Miracle 67: Anna Santaniello

Anna Santaniello stands as the 67th miracle recorded in the official Lourdes miracles list, a case that draws my attention for both its dramatic immediacy and the remarkably long period between the healing event and its ecclesiastical recognition.

Rheumatic heart disease

Anna Santaniello was born in 1910 and suffered from a severe cardiac condition since childhood. Her diagnosis—rheumatic heart disease (also called Bouillaud’s disease)—had already claimed the lives of two of her siblings, making her prognosis particularly grave. Throughout her early years, this debilitating condition progressively worsened, causing severe speech and mobility problems, acute asthma attacks, and swelling in her limbs.

By age 42, her situation had become desperate. As she later recounted: “My condition got worse as I got older and after a while I was confined to bed, barely able to breathe. The doctors had lost all hope for me.” In essence, she faced the same fatal outcome that had befallen her brother and sister years earlier.

Healing at Lourdes

Against medical advice, Santaniello traveled to Lourdes in 1952. Upon arrival, volunteers transported her on a stretcher to the baths where she was immersed in the chilly waters. Within moments of entering the water, she experienced “something which seemed like a burning in my chest, as if I was being given my life back.”

Remarkably, she immediately got up and began walking independently, refusing assistance from the astonished stretcher-bearers. Even more impressively, that same evening she joined the candlelight procession and soon began serving meals to other pilgrims seeking healing.

Official recognition

Although her recovery appeared complete, official recognition followed a lengthy process. The Medical Committee at Lourdes first described her case as “extraordinary” in 1961, and the Church formally declared it an “extraordinary healing” in 1964.

Ultimately, in November 2005, Archbishop Gerardo Pierro of Salerno officially proclaimed her cure as the 67th recognized miracle of Lourdes. By this time, Santaniello was 94 years old and still enjoying good health—living testimony to one of the most striking Lourdes France miracles on record.

This extended period of evaluation—53 years from healing to final recognition—demonstrates the Church’s exceptional prudence in declaring miraculous events.

Miracle 68: Serge Francois

The 68th recognized miracle in the Lourdes miracles list belongs to Serge Francois, representing the most recent addition to these extraordinary healings at the French sanctuary. His case stands as powerful testimony to both medical impossibility and divine intervention.

Herniated disk and disability

Serge Francois, a French television repairman, endured not one but two unsuccessful surgeries for a herniated disk. These failed medical interventions resulted in severe complications—his left leg became almost completely paralyzed. By 2002, when he was 56 years old, his condition had deteriorated significantly. Medical professionals, having exhausted all available options, could offer no further treatment after these unsuccessful interventions.

Throughout this difficult period, Francois experienced what he described as “unbearable flashing pain” in his left leg. His mobility was severely restricted, requiring assistance for even the most basic movements. The paralysis effectively prevented him from working or participating in normal daily activities—a cross he carried with great suffering.

Healing at the grotto

On April 12, 2002, drawn by faith and hope, Francois joined a diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. After praying at the sacred grotto, he proceeded to the miraculous spring where he drank the water and washed his face. What happened next was extraordinary—upon contact with the Lourdes water, he initially felt a sharp pain so intense he thought he might die.

Minutes afterward, however, a remarkable transformation occurred. The excruciating pain vanished completely, replaced by what Francois described as an “intense sensation of good will and warmth.” This warmth continued spreading until his previously paralyzed leg regained complete function.

Medical and Church validation

Upon returning home, Francois discovered he could walk normally again—a fact that astonished his doctors. The following year, in 2003, he returned to Lourdes to report his healing to the Medical Bureau. His case subsequently underwent rigorous investigation by the 20-member International Medical Committee of Lourdes.

After five years of thorough study, on December 1, 2008, the committee declared his recovery “remarkable.” They concluded his healing was “sudden, complete, unrelated to any particular therapy and durable”—hallmarks of divine intervention rather than natural recovery. Ultimately, on March 27, 2011, Bishop Emmanuel Delmas of Angers officially recognized the miracle.

Perhaps the most convincing evidence of his complete restoration came when Francois completed a 1,000-mile hike after his recovery—extraordinary proof that the healing was not merely partial or temporary, but complete and lasting.

Miracle 69: Danila Castelli

The story of Danila Castelli stands as one of the most meticulously documented miraculous healings among recent Lourdes miracles. Her case exemplifies the thorough investigation process that each purported miracle undergoes before receiving official recognition from the Catholic Church.

Background of Danila Castelli

Born on January 16, 1946, Danila Castelli experienced what she described as a “more or less normal life” until her early thirties [19]. She lived as an Italian wife and mother in Pavia, Italy, following a predictable pattern in her daily life. Her husband was a medical doctor, which would later prove significant in her journey toward healing [18].

Throughout her early adult years, Danila maintained good health with no indication of the serious medical problems that would eventually afflict her. Her Catholic faith remained an important aspect of her life, though she never imagined becoming the center of one of the most scrutinized Lourdes miracles of the 21st century.

Danila Castelli’s Illness and Diagnosis

At age 34, Danila’s health took a dramatic turn when she began experiencing sudden, severe hypertensive crises – dangerous spikes in blood pressure occurring spontaneously [19]. These episodes placed her at significant risk of fatal stroke or heart failure [20]. Medical professionals initially struggled to determine the cause of these life-threatening blood pressure fluctuations.

After extensive testing in 1982, medical imaging revealed fibrous masses in her urogenital system, prompting surgeons to perform a hysterectomy and annexectomy [18]. Unfortunately, these major surgeries failed to resolve her condition. Her health continued to deteriorate, leading to further interventions:

• In November 1982, surgeons removed part of her pancreas [18]

• In 1983, doctors discovered a tumor near her bladder [18]

• Between 1983 and 1988, she underwent multiple additional surgeries to address the tumor [18]

Medical professionals eventually identified her condition as pheochromocytoma – a non-cancerous tumor on her adrenal gland secreting adrenaline, which caused her dangerous blood pressure spikes [18]. Despite the diagnosis and multiple surgical interventions, her condition remained unresolved and continued to worsen.

By 1989, Danila’s prognosis appeared grim. Her husband, utilizing his medical connections, arranged to bring her to the prestigious Mayo Clinic in the United States as a last resort [19]. However, the Almighty had different plans for Danila.

Danila Castelli’s Lourdes Experience

Just before their scheduled departure for the Mayo Clinic, Danila made a surprising request – instead of seeking advanced medical treatment in America, she wished to visit Lourdes [18]. This spontaneous decision would alter the course of her life forever.

In May 1989, the couple traveled to the French shrine. Although physical healing was certainly desired, Danila later revealed in a 2013 interview that her primary motivation was spiritual: “I wanted to forgive and be forgiven” [20]. Facing what seemed like terminal illness, she sought not merely physical healing but the courage to face death and find inner peace.

Upon arriving at Lourdes, Danila participated in the traditional ritual of bathing in the shrine’s sacred waters. As she emerged from the baths, she experienced what she described as “an extraordinary feeling of well-being” – an immediate sensation that something profound had changed within her body [19].

Her husband, who had initially considered their Lourdes pilgrimage “absurd” from a medical perspective, met her outside the baths. Remarkably, he immediately sensed the transformation, telling her, “Danila, I know that everything now has passed. I know that everything is behind us” [18]. Furthermore, he told her “he had forgiven it all,” which led Danila to understand that “that was the real healing, the end of resentment; the physical part was just a sign of the gift God had given me” [20].

This reveals the depths of her healing – not merely physical but profoundly spiritual, touching on forgiveness and reconciliation.

Danila Castelli’s Medical Evaluation

Shortly after her experience at Lourdes, Castelli reported her apparent cure to the Lourdes Office of Medical Observations [19]. This initiated what would become a decades-long process of medical scrutiny – one of the most extensive investigations in the history of Lourdes miracles.

The Lourdes Office of Medical Observations conducted comprehensive examinations of Castelli’s case across five separate meetings spanning 21 years (1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, and 2010) [19]. These evaluations confirmed her blood pressure had normalized immediately after her Lourdes experience and remained stable without medication.

At their final meeting in 2010, more than 100 doctors and nurses reviewed her case. Following what Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, head of the medical bureau, described as a “lengthy” and “very passionate” discussion, they voted unanimously (with one abstention) that her cure was “unexplained according to current scientific knowledge” [18].

The medical committee concluded: “Mrs Castelli was cured, in a complete and lasting way, from the date of her pilgrimage to Lourdes – 21 years ago – of the syndrome she had suffered and without any relation to the treatments and the surgeries she underwent” [19]. This medical certification represented a crucial step toward official recognition of her healing as miraculous.

Danila Castelli’s Church Recognition

On November 19, 2011, the Lourdes International Medical Committee (LIMC), composed of approximately 20 physicians, certified during their annual meeting in Paris that Castelli’s cure “remains unexplained according to current scientific knowledge” [18]. This medical determination then moved to ecclesiastical consideration.

Following established protocol, the case was forwarded to the bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, who then sent the findings to Bishop Giovanni Giudici of Pavia, Italy – Danila’s home diocese [20]. After reviewing the extensive medical documentation, Bishop Giudici made a momentous declaration on June 20, 2013, pronouncing Danila Castelli’s cure to be “prodigious-miraculous” in character [18].

This official pronouncement established Danila Castelli’s case as the 69th miracle officially recognized by the Catholic Church at Lourdes [20]. Her healing joined the select few cases – less than 1% of all reported cures – that have survived the rigorous multi-stage investigation process to receive formal recognition [20].

In a 2013 video interview with the Lourdes Sanctuary, Castelli expressed profound gratitude: “I want to thank Our Lady for all of the joy I’ve received, not just the joy of a healed body — which is also important because health is a gift of God, and we have to protect it and ask for it; life is a gift — but the joy that Our Lord has given me throughout my entire life” [19].

Consequently, Danila and her husband returned to Lourdes frequently as pilgrims and worked as volunteers assisting the sick until Danila’s death [20]. Her case stands as a beautiful testament to both the miraculous healing attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes and the exhaustive investigation process that each recognized miracle undergoes.

Miracle 70: Sister Bernadette Moriau

The healing of Sister Bernadette Moriau stands as the 70th officially recognized miracle at Lourdes – a profound testimony to God’s healing power in our modern times. What makes her case particularly remarkable is that it withstood eight years of rigorous scientific scrutiny before the Church proclaimed it miraculous.

Background of Sister Bernadette Moriau

Born on September 23, 1939, in northern France, Sister Bernadette was called to religious life at a young age. At 19, she entered the Nantes Convent to join the Congregation of the Franciscan Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her vocation was nurtured by devout parents who belonged to the Franciscan Third Order.

“I did my nursing studies in the Congregation after my novitiate, to be at the service of the sick, which is my greatest joy and which I exercised for two years,” she explained in her own words. This service to the suffering would later take on profound meaning as she herself would join their ranks through her own physical afflictions.

Sister Bernadette Moriau’s illness and diagnosis

The cross that Our Lord asked Sister Bernadette to carry began at age 27, when she experienced severe back pain that would dramatically alter her life’s journey. Medical professionals diagnosed her with cauda equina syndrome – a serious neurological condition affecting the spinal nerve roots that leads to paralysis.

Her medical ordeal unfolded in this manner:

1. Between 1968 and 1975, she endured four unsuccessful spinal operations

2. By 1980, physicians declared her a full invalid

3. In 1987, her neurological symptoms intensified considerably

4. In 1992, doctors implanted a spinal neurostimulator to manage her constant pain

5. By 1994, she required morphine medication for pain control

6. In 1999, she began wearing a rigid cervical-lumbar corset permanently

7. In 2005, her left foot developed equinus contracture, requiring a splint

Sister Bernadette described her condition simply: “My left foot was practically turned, and I had to use prosthesis to keep it straight.” By 2008, she was completely wheelchair-bound, fully disabled, and dependent on morphine. “Full, total paralysis,” she summarized, “The prognosis was really dark.”

Sister Bernadette Moriau’s Lourdes experience

What draws a soul to Lourdes? For Sister Bernadette, it was not the expectation of physical healing. In July 2008, at her doctor’s recommendation, she joined a pilgrimage to Lourdes coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions.

“I always believed in miracles, but not for me,” she later admitted with characteristic humility. “I didn’t go there for a miracle. I just went there to pray with others.”

Throughout her stay, Sister Bernadette participated fully in the spiritual activities – receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of the Sick, bathing in the sacred pools, and joining in processions. The pivotal moment occurred during the Blessed Sacrament procession at the Saint Pius X Basilica.

As Bishop James approached with the monstrance to bless the sick, Sister Bernadette experienced something profound. “I heard him giving me these words: ‘I see your suffering and that of your sick brothers and sisters. Give Me all.'” She understood this as “a spiritual experience” rather than a request for healing.

Sister Bernadette Moriau’s medical evaluation

The ways of the Lord are mysterious indeed. On July 11, 2008—three days after returning to her convent—Sister Bernadette’s life changed dramatically while praying in the chapel at the same hour (5:45 p.m.) as the Eucharistic procession would be taking place in Lourdes.

“I felt in my body a great relaxation and a warmth that invaded me,” she recounted. Upon returning to her room afterward, she heard an inner voice instructing her: “Take off your braces.”

Without hesitation, she removed her foot brace and discovered her previously twisted foot now straight and pain-free. She then removed her back corset, discontinued her morphine medication without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and stopped using the neurostimulator. The following day, she walked five kilometers in the forest.

Her family doctor was astounded by the transformation. “He was astounded and at the same time very happy: he understood what had happened,” Sister Bernadette recalled.

The International Medical Committee of Lourdes subsequently launched an extensive investigation. Under the direction of Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, president of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observations, her case underwent exhaustive review. “We sent her to different neurologists, different rheumatologists… We asked to repeat twice also some imagery—electrophysiology. We did all that you would do in medicine to make absolutely sure of her [diagnosis].”

Beyond physical examinations, Sister Moriau underwent psychological evaluation: “On top of that, she saw two psychiatrists in Paris.” After these comprehensive assessments, her case was presented to a group of 33 doctors and professors forming the International Medical Committee of Lourdes.

Sister Bernadette Moriau’s Church recognition

Following eight years of thorough investigation, on January 10, 2018, the medical committee voted overwhelmingly—26 in favor, 1 against—to validate Sister Bernadette’s cure as “unexplained from the current medical knowledge.” This medical certification cleared the way for ecclesiastical consideration.

On February 11, 2018—the World Day of the Sick and feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes—Bishop Jacques Benoit-Gonin of Beauvais officially declared Sister Bernadette Moriau’s healing as miraculous. The date held special significance, marking the 160th anniversary of the first Marian apparition at Lourdes.

The bishop characterized her recovery as a “sudden, instantaneous, complete and durable change.” This declaration established Sister Bernadette’s case as the 70th officially recognized miracle of Lourdes—the first such recognition since 2013.

At age 83, Sister Bernadette continues to share her testimony. In a 2022 television interview, she emphasized the unexpected nature of her healing: “I knew it was impossible.” Dr. de Franciscis maintains complete transparency about her case, stating: “If tomorrow morning any of our viewers is a doctor, and one day he stops in southern France and comes to see me and wants to look into the file of Sister Bernadette, I’ll be delighted to show him.”

Sister Bernadette’s miracle stands as one of the most recent miracles at Lourdes to receive official recognition, offering contemporary evidence of what Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Lourdes simply described as: “Declaring a miracle is saying, ‘God did something.'”

Miracle 71: John Traynor

The extraordinary case of John Traynor stands as the 71st miracle officially recognized at Lourdes, and presents a most unusual circumstance—a healing that waited over a century to receive formal Church recognition, despite being widely acknowledged throughout his hometown of Liverpool as a remarkable cure.

Background of John Traynor

John “Jack” Traynor was born in Liverpool in 1883 to a devout Irish Catholic mother whose faith profoundly shaped his early years before her untimely death. What makes his upbringing particularly notable was his mother’s exceptional devotion. As Traynor himself would later recall, “Her devotion to Mass and Holy Communion and her trust in the Blessed Mother stayed with him as a memory and a fruitful example” [3]. He further described her as a “daily Communicant when few people were” [7]—a practice quite extraordinary for that era.

With the outbreak of the Great War (World War I), Traynor answered the call to serve his country by joining the Royal Naval Reserve [8]. Little did he know that this patriotic decision would place him on a path that would ultimately lead to Lourdes and a healing that would challenge medical understanding.

John Traynor’s illness and diagnosis

The path of Traynor’s suffering began on October 8, 1914, near Antwerp, Belgium. While carrying a wounded officer from the battlefield—an act of great courage—he sustained his first war injury when shrapnel struck his head [3]. Through God’s providence, this initial wound allowed for a relatively swift recovery, and he returned to active service.

However, his condition took a devastating turn during the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign. On May 8, 1915, while participating in a bayonet charge, machine-gun fire struck Traynor in multiple areas. The extent of his injuries was severe:

1. His head and chest sustained serious wounds [3]

2. A bullet tore through his right arm, severing nerves and causing complete paralysis [9]

3. The head trauma resulted in severe epilepsy with frequent seizures [3]

Following these grievous injuries, Traynor underwent numerous surgeries, yet none succeeded in restoring his health [10]. His suffering intensified in 1920 when a Liverpool surgeon attempted to cure his epilepsy through brain surgery [3]. This intervention, rather than bringing relief, worsened his condition dramatically, resulting in partial paralysis of both legs [3]. The surgery also necessitated the insertion of a metal plate in his skull to protect his brain [3].

By early summer of 1923, medical professionals had exhausted all options. A medical certificate dated July 24, 1923, recorded his condition as “epilepsy, paralysis of the right arm, atrophy of torso muscles, and an absence of voluntary movement in the lower limbs” [10]. The prognosis was so grim that he was scheduled to enter the Mossley Hill Hospital for Incurables on July 24, 1923 [3]. What hope remained for this gravely wounded veteran?

John Traynor’s Lourdes experience

In July 1923, displaying remarkable faith and determination, Traynor joined the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s first official pilgrimage to Lourdes [3]. This decision came against all advice from family, friends, and even his parish priest, who feared the journey itself might prove fatal. Such was his conviction that his wife eventually relented to his wishes, even selling some of her jewelry to fund the trip [3].

Upon arrival at Lourdes, Traynor’s physical state was dire. “I was in a terrible condition, as my wounds and sores had not been freshly bandaged since I left Liverpool,” he later explained [3]. Throughout his six-day stay at the Sanctuary, he was immersed in the shrine’s healing waters multiple times [3].

The decisive moment occurred on the fourth day during the traditional Eucharistic procession and blessing of the sick. In Traynor’s own words:

“The procession came winding its way back, as usual, to the church, and at the end walked the Archbishop of Rheims, carrying the Blessed Sacrament. He blessed the two ahead of me, came to me, made the Sign of the Cross with the monstrance and moved on to the next. He had just passed by when I realized that a great change had taken place in me. My right arm, which had been dead since 1915, was violently agitated. I burst its bandages and blessed myself—for the first time in years.” [3]

Though he immediately sensed the transformation in his body, those around him assumed he was experiencing a delusion. They sedated him and returned him to his bed [3], unaware of the miracle that had just taken place.

John Traynor’s medical evaluation

The following morning revealed the fullness of what had occurred. Traynor “jumped out of bed,” knelt to finish praying his Rosary, and ran to the Grotto [3]. After offering prayers of thanksgiving at the shrine, he returned to his lodgings where he washed himself, shaved unaided, and later served Mass in the chapel [3]—all activities that had been impossible for him just a day before.

Before departing Lourdes, three physicians examined him and documented five remarkable changes in his condition:

1. He could walk perfectly without assistance

2. He had recovered full use and function of his right arm

3. He had regained sensation in his previously numb legs

4. The opening in his skull had significantly diminished

5. His epileptic seizures had completely ceased [3]

How does one explain such a comprehensive healing? Three years later, on July 7, 1926, Traynor returned to Lourdes to make an official declaration of his healing at the Bureau des Constatations Médicales [11]. Dr. Auguste Vallet, president of the Bureau, signed an official report on October 2, 1926, concluding what many already knew—that “the process of this prodigious healing is absolutely outside and above the forces of nature” [10].

John Traynor’s Church recognition

What makes Traynor’s case particularly extraordinary is the lengthy path to official recognition. Despite widespread belief in Liverpool that his healing was miraculous, his case remained officially unacknowledged for decades [9]. An attempt to validate his cure in 1993 failed due to insufficient “contemporaneous evidence” [8].

The breakthrough came during Liverpool’s archdiocesan centenary pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2023. Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, president of the International Medical Committee of Lourdes, asked Dr. Kieran Moriarty to review Traynor’s file [1]. Through Divine Providence, Dr. Moriarty discovered that Dr. Vallet’s critical 1926 report had never been sent to Liverpool [1]—a simple administrative oversight that had delayed recognition for nearly a century.

Following this discovery, Monseigneur Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, forwarded the complete dossier to the Liverpool archdiocese [1]. Archbishop Malcolm McMahon then convened a canonical commission to evaluate the case, with both Dr. Moriarty and Dr. de Franciscis appearing as witnesses [1].

On December 8, 2024—the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 81st anniversary of Traynor’s death—Archbishop McMahon made a momentous declaration: “Given the weight of medical evidence, the testimony to the faith of John Traynor and his devotion to Our Blessed Lady, it is with great joy that I declare that the cure of John Traynor, from multiple serious medical conditions, is to be recognized as a miracle wrought by the power of God through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes” [1].

This proclamation established John Traynor’s case as the 71st officially recognized miracle at Lourdes and identified him as the first British Catholic whose Lourdes cure received such recognition [3]. It reminds us that God’s timing is not our own, and that truth, while sometimes delayed, will ultimately be recognized.

Miracle 72: Antonietta Raco

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes proclaimed its 72nd official miracle on April 16, 2025—the feast day of St. Bernadette Soubirous. This extraordinary healing concerns Antonietta Raco, whose recovery from primary lateral sclerosis stands as the most recent testimony to Our Lady’s powerful intercession at Lourdes.

Background of Antonietta Raco

Antonietta Raco, a 67-year-old Italian woman from Francavilla sul Sinni in the beautiful Basilicata region of southern Italy, lived what one might call an ordinary Catholic life until severe health complications dramatically altered her path. Despite her married name being Lofiego, she is known in Church documents by her maiden name of Raco. Throughout her medical ordeal, her faith remained steadfast, a beacon of hope in increasingly dire circumstances.

Unlike many pilgrims who journey to Lourdes specifically seeking physical healing, Raco initially visited the Shrine seeking spiritual consolation rather than a miracle. As she beautifully expressed in her own words, “I am a believer, but I was not hoping for a miracle; I needed peace, and going to Lourdes was something wonderful.” This spiritual disposition—seeking peace rather than demanding healing—reflects the proper attitude of humble submission to God’s will that the Church has always encouraged.

Antonietta Raco’s illness and diagnosis

The Cross that Our Lord asked Antonietta to bear began in 2004, when she experienced severe headache attacks accompanied by muscle cramps and generalized weakness that made walking increasingly difficult. Her medical journey followed a progressive decline:

• In 2005, her mobility deteriorated further, with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and dysarthria (slurred speech) emerging as new symptoms

• By 2006, doctors officially diagnosed her with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), a rare and devastating motor neuron disease

• In 2008, her condition worsened significantly, with reduced respiratory capacity, profound muscle weakness, and tetraparesis (partial paralysis affecting all four limbs)

By 2008, medical professionals had essentially surrendered hope for improvement. PLS, which attacks the nerve cells controlling voluntary movement, had confined her to a wheelchair, severely compromising her ability to speak, swallow, and even breathe independently. The prognosis appeared grim, with expectations of continued deterioration rather than recovery.

Antonietta Raco’s Lourdes experience

In the summer of 2009, from July 30 to August 5, Antonietta joined an Italian pilgrimage to Lourdes organized by UNITALSI (Unione Nazionale Italiana Trasporto Ammalati a Lourdes e Santuari Internazionali). Her participation in this pilgrimage would prove providential in ways she could not have anticipated.

Upon immersion in the shrine’s sacred waters, Antonietta experienced what she described as “an unusual sense of well-being” and felt a profound change within her body. Most remarkably, at the baths, she reportedly heard “a marvelous woman’s voice which kept saying, ‘Don’t be afraid.'” These words echo the angelic greeting to Mary at the Annunciation and Christ’s frequent reassurance to His disciples—a beautiful connection to Scripture that was not lost on Antonietta.

What strikes me as particularly noteworthy is that Antonietta kept this extraordinary sensation private, not speaking about it to anyone until after returning home. This discretion and humility, rather than immediately proclaiming a miracle, reflects a profound spiritual maturity and stands in contrast to those who might seek attention or acclaim.

Antonietta Raco’s medical evaluation

Upon returning to her home in Italy, Antonietta discovered that she could suddenly “move independently”—a development that defied medical explanation. Medical evaluations conducted in August and September 2009 confirmed the complete disappearance of symptoms she had experienced continuously since 2004. Her physician, astonished by the transformation, described her recovery as “a scientifically inexplicable phenomenon.”

In July 2010, Antonietta officially declared her apparent cure to the Lourdes Office of Medical Observations, initiating what would become a meticulous 15-year investigation. The Bureau des Constatations convened five separate meetings between 2010 and 2017 to thoroughly examine her case. Furthermore, in 2013, specialists from the Neurology Department of the University of Milan reassessed her condition, confirming both the original diagnosis of PLS and the medically unexplained nature of her recovery.

Antonietta Raco’s Church recognition

After years of thorough investigation, in November 2024, the International Medical Committee of Lourdes voted affirmatively on a crucial question: “Is Mrs Antonietta RACO cured of Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), in accordance with the 2020 consensus, validated in 2024, in an unexpected, complete, lasting and unexplained manner according to medical knowledge?”

Following this medical validation, on November 15, 2024, the bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes informed Bishop Vincenzo Carmine Orofino of Tursi-Lagonegro (Raco’s home diocese) of the committee’s findings. The timing of the final declaration carries significant spiritual meaning—April 16, 2025, the feast day of St. Bernadette Soubirous, to whom Our Lady of Lourdes first appeared in 1858.

The Italian diocese celebrated this recognition with profound gratitude: “Praise be to God, who with this divine sign has once again manifested his presence among his People and has given us his Most Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, as a powerful mediator of Grace.”

Conclusion

This four part series of articles, in exploring the 72 confirmed and approved miraculous healings attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes show the extraordinary manifestations of God’s healing power through the intercession of Our Lady.

These cases demonstrate not merely medical anomalies but profound spiritual transformations that touch the very heart of our faith. Further, the Catholic Church, in her wisdom, approaches claimed miracles with both faith and prudence.

Though science has advanced dramatically since Bernadette Soubirous first reported Marian apparitions in 1858, these cases remain, as medical committees consistently affirm, “unexplained according to current scientific knowledge.”

I highly recommend visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes for those seeking physical healing, spiritual renewal, or simply a deeper connection with our Catholic faith.

Though millions visit Lourdes annually, few experience documented miraculous healings. Whether viewed through the lens of faith or medical scrutiny, these remarkable stories continue to inspire wonder and hope for countless pilgrims who journey to this sacred shrine.

Praise God for these signs of His continued presence among His People, and for giving us His Most Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, as a powerful mediator of Grace.

References for Miracles 59 to 68

[1] – https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Lourdes_Medical_Bureau
[2] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lourdes_Medical_Bureau
[3] – https://spiritualreading.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Miracles-of-Lourdes.pdf
[4] – http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/english_pdf/Lourdes.pdf
[5] – https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/miraculous-healings/
[6] – https://passionofchrist-lechemindecroix.blogspot.com/2010/06/lourdes-miracles-and-miraculously.html
[7] – https://www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/approved_apparitions/lourdes/miracles4.html
[8] – https://digilander.libero.it/rexur/miracol/inglese/lourdes.htm
[9] – https://indefenseofthecross.com/marian-apparitions/our-lady-of-lourdes/
[10] – https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/22/archives/lourdes-cure-of-woman-called-miracle-by-church.html
[11] – https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253612/60-years-after-his-miraculous-healing-he-still-returns-to-lourdes
[12] – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30083003/
[13] – https://skepticsandseekers.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/vittorio-micheli-pelvis-healing-at-lourdes-peer-reviewed-write-up.pdf
[14] – https://timesofmalta.com/article/A-miracle-at-Lourdes.457109
[15] – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/authentication-of-a-cure-at-lourdes-5985
[16] – https://uneminuteavecmarie.mariedenazareth.com/en/2024/december/2024-12-17
[17] – https://fsspx.news/en/news/france-death-recipient-66th-miracle-lourdes-9439

References for Miracles 69 to 72

[1] – https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/22985
[2] – https://www.ncregister.com/news/lourdes-records-69th-official-miracle
[3] – https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2019/02/11/the-useless-doctor-of-lourdes/
[4] – https://universitytimes.ie/2016/02/policing-miracles-identifying-the-ordinary-in-the-extraordinary-at-lourdes/
[5] – https://angelusnews.com/arts-culture/miracle-club-movie-lourdes/
[6] – https://charismactivism.com/apologetics/miraculous/
[7] – https://www.dominicanajournal.org/science-and-miracles/
[8] – https://aleteia.org/2024/12/18/john-traynor-beneficiary-of-lourdes-stunning-71st-miracle
[9] – https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260945/healing-at-lourdes-of-british-world-war-i-soldier-declared-miraculous
[10] – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7qegyz4lro
[11] – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c878d2eeepzo
[12] – https://international.la-croix.com/religion/healing-of-ww-i-british-soldier-declared-71st-miracle-at-lourdes
[13] – https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/john-traynor-71st-miracle-at-lourdes/
[14] – https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51273