Graces received through the intercession of Blessed Josaphata

The following has been submitted to the Sisters in gratitude for the graces described.

Blessed Josaphata went with me.
by Peter Grant Verbin, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, October, 2009.

Two years ago, I went for open-heart surgery, and Sister Daria gave me a medal with relics of Blessed Josaphata. It was pinned to my identification bracelet and I had it with me during surgery. Blessed Josaphata obviously looked after me, because my operation was a complete success.

In October, 2009 I underwent an operation to correct my spinal stenosis,Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. (Click to see more.) in which the surgeon had to drill into my vertebrae to free the nerve that controls the movement in my right arm. Before going to the operation room, I convinced the nurse that if she wrapped my Josaphata medal in gauze so that no metal would touch my skin, as they did when I had my heart surgery, I could have it pinned to my ID bracelet. The last thing I remember before the anaesthetic took effect was that I was praying: “I am in the hands of God, the doctor is in the hands of God, I accept what ever fate God has for me.”

The surgery was to take four hours, but it took only two. After the surgery, I was sent to the neuro-surgery recovery ward, where I was to spend a few days. I was told that I would have much pain and that I would be nauseous. In fact I was quite hungry. They brought me supper: cream of vegetable soup, lasagna, broccoli, and canned mango for dessert. I had no pain, so there was no reason to give me morphine. During the night the nurse checked to see if I needed morphine, but I had no pain. I said, “Isn’t it amazing!” And she exclaimed: “That’s not amazing, it’s a miracle!”

The following morning, my doctor visited me. When he saw that I had not used a drop of morphine and had eaten heartily, he sent me home. I truly believe that my faith in the strength of Blessed Josaphata’s ability to look after me has much to do with my “miraculous” recovery. She was with me during my open-heart surgery, two years ago, and she was with me again during my spinal operation this time.

(Note: The above may not qualify for a first class miracle, if the medical professionals could explain it away, e.g. that Peter just happens to be a man that does not feel pain like ordinary people, for instance. A first class miracle has to be a healing that cannot be explained medically. However, it is certainly a great grace received through the intervention of Blessed Josaphata. - Sr. Dominica Slawuta, Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Josaphata.)