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From Missionari Saveriani by Fr. Marcello Storgato, s.x.January 2011
When the poor believe in God: the miracle of Thiago through the intercession of Bl. Conforti. Faithful gather at Dom Guido church
The miracle of the healing of a small boy Thiago (translated is “James”),
through the intercession of Blessed Guido M. Conforti, happened in 2003 in Brazil, in the diocese
of Belo Horizonte, in a poor neighborhood of Londrina, right in the parish of
St. Raymond Nonato, which was at that time run by the Xaverians.
A young mother delivered prematurely her infant baby at her 26th week of
pregnancy, and the baby was born with lots of complications, and with
non-developed lungs. It's a tragic event at the hospital in Belo Horizonte,
Brazil. The baby was placed in the natal intensive care unit, under an
incubator, and survives. Unfortunately, two weeks after his birth, he suffers a
cardiac arrest for over 30 minutes, and everything seems lost. Finally, after
many trials, the baby's heart restarts, and he's soon baptized "Thiago." While
doctors and parents predict the worst, and a complicated life ahead of him, the
parish community of “Dom Guido” (Blessed Guido Conforti) supports them with
their continued prayers.
Thiago is now 7 years old, walks and plays like any other child. Those involved
in the medical field cannot scientifically explain his recovery.
Pilgrims full of enthusiasm
It all started on the occasion of the beatification of Guido Conforti, bishop of
Parma and founder of the Xaverian missionaries, on March 17 1996. Fr. Giancarlo
Coruzzi and Fr. Camillo Didonč accompanied a group of friends from Brazil to
Italy, faithful parishioners from the various parishes where the Xaverians work
in Brazil.
Fr. Camillo recalls: “By their participation to the celebration of the
Beatification, and their visits to the places dear to Conforti, the pilgrims
recognized the life and works of Blessed Conforti, and remained enthused by the
whole atmosphere. On their return home, they promised to participate intensely
in the life of the parish, and from their meetings was born the idea to
establish a new parish community under the patronage of “Blessed Guido,” who had
enflamed their hearts at the Beatification.”
“A young lady by the name of Eliana, who had attended the events in Rome in 1996
– continues Fr. Camillo – distributed a flyer on the main events of the life of
Conforti, and shared the mission of the future Christian community, so that
people would become acquainted with the importance of newly Blessed Conforti.
The work of Eliana, and so many others, helped to increase the devotion towards
Blessed Conforti.”
From houses to the Church
For many months, the meetings and religious services were held in private houses
and garages, and in schoolyards, animated by the pastor, Fr. Carlo Coruzzi, who
followed in the steps of Fr. Camillo. Though the parish church was not built,
the Xaverians gave the parish back to the diocese, and a former Xaverian priest,
Fr. Joćo Lucena, was appointed as pastor.
People were full of hope and enthusiasm, and they gathered funds in a variety of
ways… They finally were able to buy a piece of land and built a small chapel.
Many were the benefactors, who out of the generosity of their hearts,
contributed towards the pews, tables, chairs, altar, etc. In November 1999, on
the day of the inauguration of the parish, a large image of Blessed Conforti was
brought in procession from the house of Mr. Jacir until the chapel. On its side,
a new construction had just begun: the new church, which will hold a greater
number of parishioners. Meanwhile, devotions to Blessed Conforti increased
throughout the area.
Faith is the true miracle
Thiago, the little boy who received the miracle of life through the intercession
of Blessed Conforti, is now 7 years old. He is a healthy boy and does not show
any consequence of his early troubles, or the fatal prognosis from the medical
doctors in the natal intensive care unit at the hospital. A whole community
continued to pray to Blessed Conforti for little Thiago, and his family.
Fr. Alfiero Ceresoli, who has followed this event with scrupulous diligence,
recalls: “The prayer of his mother Nilda and dad Masinho was indeed a stupendous
act of faith and trust in God, while they heard the sad news from the doctors.
As the incubator was opened for the ritual of baptism at the point of death,
they prayed: ‘Son, may the Angels protect you. You are a gift from God to us,
but if the Lord wants you to Himself, we will not complain, nor will we ask
why…?’ This is the greatest and true miracle: the faith of a family and a parish
community, who shows care and prayerful concern to these young parents.”
Mom, dad, and baby
Following a complete healing, the doctor admits: “The mother of that baby has a
lot of faith. I thought within my heart, ‘Poor mother, she is hoping against
hope.’ But at one point, her faith became my hope.” Another witness attests:
“The whole community has grown much in the faith, their fervor augmented; this
baby has evangelized many of us!”
Nilda and Masinho are poor and simple people; and even though they have nothing
to give, they visit sick and poor people together with others of the St. Vincent
de Paul society, for the poor are also hungry of attention and affection. Thiago
is always with them, and continues to grow well, intelligent and serene.
