My 6 month old was checked into Children’s Hospital. After days of hour by hour progression I had tried everything at my disposal, including praying over her by the Holy Name of Jesus commanding the illness to leave her. He has healed so many, surely He could heal my daughter and all I had to do was ask. After being pushed aside by various doctors about the severity of her rash, it finally culminated in an ER visit. We were admitted immediately and given morphine to ease her pain. I was emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted.
Upon check in, the Charge Nurse told me the visitor protocol. I had a finite number of slots I could use for visitors, and I was not able to swap out any names. I immediately added the two priests assigned to my home parish. It was less than an hour after the exchange with the nurse that I received a call from Fr. Ariel. He had heard that Isabel had been admitted to the hospital and wanted to know if I needed a priest. I assured him it wasn’t urgent – we were likely the best prognosis on the floor (a humbling experience in the midst of my emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion.)
Father arrived about two hours after we connected. Upon his arrival, Isabel gave an enormous smile! He gave her a quick blessing and immediately turned to me. He had brought his purple stole. After absolving my sins, he said, “I brought Jesus with me. Would you like to receive Him in the Eucharist?” My eyes welled. The prayer I had so fervently prayed over my daughter just hours before was answered, but for me.
Fr. Ariel gave Isabel another blessing for a sick child before he left. Her demeanor after the blessing, and the rate at which she healed felt drastic. May God bless the holy hands of a priest!
