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A black and white portrait of Pope John Paull II.
Magis CenterOctober 21, 20224 min read

The Pope John Paul II Miracles that Made Him a Canonized Saint

The process of canonization in the Catholic Church requires two miracles.  The first miracle for John Paul’s canonization was the healing of Sister Marie Pierre from Parkinson’s disease through his intercession. The second miracle healed Floribeth Mora Diaz's brain injury after an aneurysm left her terminal.

Pope John Paul II's First Miracle: Sister Marie Pierre

Sister Marie Pierre, a French nun, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disease of the nervous system, in 2001. 

Pierre testified that her Parkinson's symptoms were steadily growing worse after her diagnosis. She found it extremely difficult to drive, walk, and write, and her left arm hung useless to her side. Her tibulations had become so much, that she would not even watch John Paul of the TV as it was hard to see him struggle from the exact same affliction.

Then, exactly two months after John Paul's passing, Sister Marie prayed to him. After praying to John Paul, she had the urge to write and found that she could now write as she could before her diagnosis. When she awoke the next day, she felt brand new. 

 

In Janurary of 2011, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed, aided by consultations with doctors and Church officials, that Pierre's healing was scientifically inexplicable and was indeed due to the intercession of John Paul II.

Pope John Paul II's Second Miracle: Floribeth Mora Diaz

The second miracle leading to the canonization of John Paul II concerned a 50-year-old woman from Santiago, Costa Rica, Floribeth Mora Diaz.

Diaz suffered a brain aneurysm in April 2011 and—after a series of tests in a hospital, including a brain scan, and a three-hour operation—the doctors told her that her condition was inoperable and terminal and that she would have only one month to live.

After receiving the bad news, Floribeth went home and was consigned to bed to keep her comfortable for the remainder of her days here on earth.

As a wife and mother of four children, she had a strong desire to live and began praying to Pope John Paul II for his intercession.

Coincidentally, the beatification of Pope John Paul II was scheduled to take place on May 1, 2011, and Floribeth decided to watch the events on T.V.

After watching the beatification she went to sleep, but was awakened by John Paul saying, “Get Up! Don’t be afraid!”

Much to her husband's surprise, she got out of bed and told him that she felt well. She also informed him about her encounter with the deceased pontiff.

Floribeth subsequently underwent several medical tests—including new brain scans—which left her neurologist and other doctors wholly stupefied.

They declared that her virtually instantaneous cure was scientifically inexplicable by any known natural agency.

Later a commission of medical physicians was assembled by the Vatican. The commission brought Floribeth to Rome in secret, admitted her to a hospital for a new examination, and compared her current state of health to neurological records and scans from before her cure.

The commission confirmed what Diaz's doctors had said and also concluded that her cure was scientifically inexplicable.

This paved the way for the theological commission and Pope Francis to declare Pope John Paul II a saint. He was canonized on April 27, 2014 and is responsible for the fasted journey to sainthood in history. 

Fr. Spitzer on St. John Paul II’s legacy

St. John Paul II has been an inspiration to me not only for the immense contribution of his pontificate politically and culturally, but also because of his invaluable contributions to Theological Anthropology, Theology of the Body, the Family, the Culture of Life, and ‘Faith and Reason.’ Perhaps most importantly was his personal holiness, love of youth, evangelizing spirit, and his unique synthesis of Faith and Culture that enabled the Catholic Church to be the world spokesman for marriage, family, and a culture of high humane standards.

St. John Paul ardently defended objective moral standards and taught them in ways that would enable the human person and culture to flourish. What would the world have been without him? Much the less! He truly was the vicar and image of Christ on Earth!

Read Also:

St. John Paul II on the 100th Anniversary of His Birth: The tributes and memories shared around the world are many and heartfelt! Learn about his view on art, science, theology, and history.

St. Pope John Paul II on Why We Need Both Faith and Reason: St. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on faith and reason addresses the vitally important role of both faith and reason in the pursuit of Truth.

Mother Teresa's Miracles: How She Was Declared a Saint: The process of canonization requires two investigated miracles; Mother Teresa’s miracles took place in the lives of Monica Besra and Marcilio Andrino. 

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The mission of the Magis Center is to create content that helps people find higher purpose in life, an awareness of their transcendent dignity, a sense of the transcendent providential power who guides them, and a determination to live ethically responsible lives. To that end, the Magis Center produces and distributes media that provides contemporary commentary on timeless topics.

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