Community Discussion

I was once an atheist, skeptical of any belief in God. My profession as a race horse farrier put me in unexpected situations. Once, while working with a difficult horse, a routine tranquilization led to a rare seizure, and the horse fell on top of me, crushing me and leaving me pinned between the wall and floor with the horse seizing. Emergency responders rushed me to the hospital, where CT scans revealed a broken hip and an unsuspected kidney tumor, which turned out to be cancer. This diagnosis shattered my world; at only 28 years old with a young son, my thoughts turned to how I could provide for him and my wife if my time was limited. It was my rock-bottom moment, where I pleaded with God, if He existed, to save me, promising to dedicate my life to Him.

My search for meaning led me through various religions, including Islam, until I stumbled upon my late grandfather's Bible, a devout Catholic. Inside, a note he penned decades ago contained verses about healing and a prayer for the Holy Spirit's intervention.

These verses deeply moved me and my mother to tears. Despite feeling Catholicism didn't initially align with my beliefs, especially during a period of church scandal, I explored different Christian denominations. I sought a faith that resonated with my "values" (quite frankly looking back it was more me trying to justify the sins I enjoyed) rather than conflicting with them.

One pivotal night, during prayer while questioning my path, I asked God to show me if going to the Episcopal Church was the right thing to do. That same night I coughed up blood, doctors feared the cancer had spread to my lungs. Emergency room scans revealed only a minor throat tear—a sign, perhaps, that I should adhere to Catholicism and yield to God's will over my own.

To deepen my understanding, I immersed myself in reading the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, confronting the unfamiliar and occasionally intimidating teachings.

Scheduled for surgery to remove the kidney tumor, doctors advised waiting for my hip to heal first. During this wait, I experienced strange occurrences—a flock of birds circling me as I prayed in a field, recurring dreams of being guided by an angel through darkness to a serene land, and a profound vision of a luminous figure seated nearby, disappearing as I approached, leaving me with an inexplicable calmness.

A week before surgery, I received the sacraments of baptism and the anointing of the sick.

The surgery successfully removed the tumor with clear margins. Strangely, subsequent reports showed the tumor had significantly shrunk beyond medical expectations between 9/11/2018 - 10/1/2018, with no treatments. I firmly believe the anointing of the sick played a significant role in my healing and survival. ( I received the sacraments on 9/16/2018)

Recovery from surgery was arduous, enduring three months of limited mobility, compounded by shingles and parasites. Yet, these trials deepened my prayers and my understanding of faith. Once healed, I sought guidance through prayer, often finding solace in randomly opened Bible passages.

This journey from skepticism to profound faith has defined my life, reinforcing my belief in God's presence and His role in my healing and spiritual growth.

Next week I have my 6 year scans to make sure I am still cancer free. As I was reflecting on everything I was moved to share my journey with you. I hope it helps any of you who may be currently encountering crosses in life.

God Bless all of you, I have you all in my prayers. Ave Maria!

- Br Alphonsus Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus