A SAINT IS LIKE A TASSEL ON GOD’S CLOAK

One of the miracles attributed to Blessed Hannibal Maria di Francia, founder of the Congregations of the Rogationist of the Heart of Jesus and Daughters of Divine Zeal, was that of the healing of a young Filipina child, Charisse Diaz, who was born on January 28, 1993 in Iloilo. She contracted a fatal strain of bacterial meningitis which at that time was resistant to any known antibiotics. She suffered severe seizures and high fevers, and doctors feared she would be permanently brain damaged. Despite all efforts to save the child, her doctors and parents, also both physicians, could only entrust the child to God through the intercession of Blessed Hannibal. With a relic of Blessed Hannibal, the family prayed a novena fervently. Today, 18-year old Charisse has survived her ordeal and is one of the brightest students in her school. Her recovery was the object of a Church investigation led by the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo, through a tribunal composed of top Church officials, to determine whether the girl's survival was a miracle attributed to Blessed Hannibal. In fact, after thoroughly researching the matter, the Church declared that the child had recovered through his intercession, and the incident became one of the three required miracles necessary for a holy person to officially be declared a "Saint" by the Roman Catholic Church.[1]

The enormous faith and the great trust of the parents of Charisse to God through the intercession of a saint have saved their child. Here, Christ’s miracle appears as works of mercy and goodness. Charisse was healed not by contact with the relic of a saint but by God’s healing power, granted in response to her family’s deep faith.

The dangling ornament, tassel, is meant to serve as a reminder of God’s presence, salvation, and commandments. Our devotion to different saints must lead us to personal encounter with Jesus that heals. Like a tassel on God’s cloak, a saint may serve as reminder of God’s infinite love for us who said: “Your faith has saved you.”

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[1] http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Recovery-of-Filipino-Child-leads-to-Canonization-of-priest-710.html