Blessed  Fr. Seelos' Reliquary
______________

 Fr. Byron Miller,C.Ss.R.
anointing the faithful after Celebration Mass

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________

TESTIMONY OF A COURTNEY GUIDRY'S HEALING THROUGH  BLESSED SEELOS' INTERCESSION

Rev. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
2030 Constance Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-5099

August 27, 2005

Dear Rev. Miller,
My name is Courtney Guidry.  I am writing to you in regards to a recent “happening” in my life that we can only attribute to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Seelos.
I am a 29 year old mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago when pregnant with my daughter.  After 4 months of chemotherapy, my daughter was born in March 2002.  We have been blessed with her perfect health.
4 months ago, I had a recurrence with breast cancer.  It had spread to my ovaries and the doctors recommended a hysterectomy.  We proceeded with the surgery and all was well.  On August 16, I had a routine CT Scan (my doctors are watching me very closely).  We learned on August 18 that the CT scan showed spread of the cancer yet again to several different bony areas throughout my body.  My doctor recommended that we do another type of scan to verify the CT findings.  That scan was scheduled for August 22. 
On August 20, my husband and I were in New Orleans for a delayed anniversary weekend (our 7 year anniversary was on July 25).  We spent the morning getting massages at the Belladonna spa on Magazine Street.  We decided to go to the D Day Museum (also on Magazine) after our massages.  While looking for the D Day Museum, we saw a sign on the side of a building that said “Father Seelos Center, Turn here”.  We took a quick right turn and ended up at the Seelos Center on Constance Street.  We were directed to the church to visit his shrine.  It was there that we met Anthony and Liz, 2 volunteers in the church.
Anthony immediately started sharing some of Father Seelos’ miracles with us.  Liz shared her personal testimony.  We were amazed.  They then asked, “ Are you in need of anything?”.  I then shared my story of a possible recurrence with breast cancer.  He then said, “Can we pray with you?”.  My husband and I gladly accepted the invitation, and, before I knew it, I was kneeling in front of the reliquary and holding Fr. Seelos’ cross with several people praying over me.  A peace swept over me, and I knew God was with us.   We then went to the gift shop and obtained a first class relic for me to bring with me on the day of my second scan. 
I had my second scan (a PET scan) done on August 22.  The results were given to us on August 26.  As you may have already guessed, the results were clear.  It did not detect any cancer in my body!!
Now, this is a story in itself, but I must share with you some other circumstances that lead me to believe even further of Fr. Seelos’ direct intervention in our situation:
Since I was diagnosed in 2001, several people have suggested that I visit the Seelos’ center.  In fact, with my recent recurrence in April, Fr. Randy Roux, a good friend of ours, suggested that he do a healing Mass at the chapel.  We never scheduled a date, and life went on as usual. 
With our recent information received on August 18, we were again prompted to go to the chapel for a healing Mass by Fr. Roux.  We did not schedule a date yet again.  I believe that God finally said, “OK, if you are not going to go on your own, I’m going to get you there myself!!”.  And that is how we ended up there on August 20.
After we received results of our PET scan, we were elated.  We called several people and gave praise to God for hearing Fr. Seelos intercessions.  Three thing happened that morning while sharing our news which further verifies our miracle.
When I thanked the nurse in the doctor’s office for her prayers, I asked her if she knew of Fr. Seelos.  She happily replied, “When I found out about the CT Scan results last Thursday, I immediately called my mother in Mandeville and told her about your situation.  I asked her to pray to Fr. Seelos for you, as he is her favorite intercessor.  Whenever anything happens in our family, she gives thanks to Fr. Seelos for interceding on her behalf.”
When I called Fr. Randy Roux after the results were received, I left a message on his phone saying “Fr. Randy, please call us.  I have some special news to share with you!”.  When he called me back a few minutes later, he said, “Courtney, I am pulling into the Seelos center right now for Holy Hour.  What’s up?”.  Of course, our news was a delight to his ears.
When calling a friend of mine to give her the good news, I accidentally dialed the wrong number and got a voice mail saying, “ This is Percy, leave a message.”.  I hung up, frustrated that I had dialed the wrong number.  A few minutes later, I went onto the Seelos website to get the phone number of the Seelos Center to call with our good news.  When looking for that phone number, I came across the name and number of the River Parishes representative for the Seelos center, Deacon Percy Vicknair.  It was the same number that I had “accidentally” called when trying to reach my friend to share our news.
I believe that our dear Fr. Seelos has intervened on our behalf.  We are elated, and we feel so blessed to be able to share in his cause for canonization.  God is good and is so much bigger than I could even imagine. 
I have enclosed copies of my scans for your records.  You may use them as you choose.  I have also enclosed a donation in thanksgiving for our miracle received.   We would like to become regular supporters of the cause for canonization and would appreciate being added to the mailing list to receive all news related to this cause. 
Also, if you have any volunteer needs, I am more than willing to share our story with others.  God has been glorified through our situation, and I want to shout it from the mountaintop for others to hear. 
Thank you for your time and may God bless you as you work tirelessly for this cause.  May Fr. Seelos be declared a saint soon by our beloved Church. 

Sincerely,

Courtney Guidry

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 Prayer for Fr. Seelos' Canonization

O my God, I truly believe You are present with me.  I adore Your limitless perfections.  I thank You for the graces and gifts You gave  to Father Seelos.  If it is Your holy will, please let him be declared a saint of the Church so that others may know and imitate his holy life.   Through his prayers please give me this favor...

(Here mention your special intentions) 

"It is not your justice but God's mercy which is the motive of your trust.  God is the God of all consolations and the Father of mercies.  He does not wish the death of sinners, but that they be converted and live.  He came to heal the sick and to seek those who were lost.  He spared the woman taken in adultery.  He showed mercy to the thief crucified with him.  None of the damned was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small!"

--Father Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss. R.


"If you want to be Happy be Holy.  If you want to be Very Happy be Very Holy!"

-- Father Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss. R.

Divine Physician You infused Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos with the gift of Your healing.  By the help of his prayers, sustain in me the grace to know Your will and the strength to overcome my afflictions.  For love of You, make me whole. May I learn from the example of Father Seelos and gain comfort from his patient endurance.   Amen

For more information on Fr. Seelos and the  Shrine  please visit the website  Seelos Shrine