FAITH IN GOD HEALS EPILEPTIC SON (Viranthi Cooray, Sri Lanka)

I am a widow with a 20 year old son and 16 year old daughter. I have worked for twenty five years as a teacher. Now as I continue to do so, I also work as a Business English Lecturer for companies and institutions. My first visit to Divine Retreat Centre was in 2000. At that time a priest I knew called me up two weeks before the group left and invited me to join. I had neither funds nor the frame of mind to attend a retreat. I did not even possess a passport but joined the group without hesitation. On arriving DRC, I was involved in a relationship which distracted me. I was more interested in keeping contact and the prospect of shopping. Then the Lord drew my attention by making me lose all the money I had with me. I was penniless, sad and depressed. I climbed to the sixth floor to the prayer tower and poured out my heart to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. My Lord Jesus knew what I wanted and He touched me.

At that time I did not even have a house of my own to live in. My son was suffering from epilepsy for five years with compulsory treatment for the rest of his life as ordered by doctors. They said that he would either turn out to be mentally deformed or super intelligent. I watched him suffer and go dumb for days after a seizure. Occasionally I had to rush him to a hospital at a distance of five hours from where we lived. It worried me and I found consolation from worldly sources that were temporary. My life was never steady. The Surrender, Counselling and Inner Healing sessions touched me in a way I did not understand. I did not know that the Word of God had begun working on me and also did not know to pray. My simple conversations directed by the sessions helped me see and experience the love of God.

On my return home, my family and friends mocked at me and bombarded me with all sorts of questions. They could not believe the change in me. I told my son all that I heard at the retreat and asked him to stop taking the medication that very night I returned home. Our Divine Healer is able to do anything we ask of Him in faith. I never consulted a doctor but kept believing in the love of God. On 24 August 2008, he was twenty years of age and I am back here after eight years to give thanks and praise to my God who delivered my son. My second request, a house of my own was also fulfilled as my parents built one for me which I now own and occupy. I cannot vouch that my life is perfect and smooth. I have many obstacles, challenges, rejections and disappointments everyday and I am able to face them more confidently. Whatever anyone may say or do cannot hurt my inner being as I loved by my Abba Father for whom I live, work and thank every moment of my life. Praise and thank you Jesus!

PRAYERS HEAL DEPRESSED EXPECTANT MOTHER(Sharon Fernandes, Mumbai)

I had attended a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre in 2003. We were married in June 2004. After two miscarriages in June 2005 and July 2006, when I conceived for the third time in August 2007, we, my husband Melvyn and I, were both very anxious and worried about the fate of this pregnancy. I was also getting very depressed and unable to believe even though the Lord had assured me that all would be well this time. Many people were praying for me. When I was in the fifth month, my sister and her family attended a retreat at DRC and during the Holy Eucharist, Fr. Michael announced my name saying that I was a sister of a retreatant and explained my exact situation and asked all present to lift me up in prayer.

This incident reemphasized for us God’s love and personal concern for every detail of our life and lifted my gloom. We now have a lovely baby boy after a safe and normal delivery. We thank and praise our great and mighty God whose love and mercy is truly beyond our understanding. Thank you Jesus!

KNOWING JESUS BRINGS CONVERSION TO FAMILY (Rajan Peter, Chennai)

I am an Engineer working in an MNC, married and have two daughters who are married and well settled. I have attended three retreats at Divine Retreat Centre in 1998, 2000 and 2003. The first time I had come along with my wife. At that time we were non Catholics. We had severe financial setbacks in business. My wife, Indira, was getting boils in her toe causing skin irritation and this was bothering her a lot. She did not take any treatment. She was healed in 2000 after the retreat. This was revealed to her while she was sleeping. By severe shocking pain which came three time in succession in a flash of time in that same toe. Since then she is free from pain and the skin irritation.

Her mother’s health had also improved and seeing the blessings from the Lord, we were touched and were baptized into Catholic Church. After our baptism we were showered with a lot of blessings. Our first daughter, Megha, who was not keen on marriage agreed to get married with all our prayers and is now doing well. Our second daughter, Thara Rachael, who was in the Gulf felt lonely and disturbed and Jesus helped her to find a good life partner for her and she got married. She was the first in our family to get baptized and when she came for a retreat in 2003, she had a special counselling with Fr. Augustine Vallooran and was blessed with divine wisdom and her faith was strengthened.

After many years, I got a very good job in MNC. We came out of our financial setbacks. Our first daughter conceived after four years of marriage with ardent and constant prayers. We were all filled with happiness, peace of mind, supreme self confidence and fear to do the right things in life. My wife also went on a trip to the Holy Land. We praise and thank God for all that He has done for me and my family. Thank you Jesus!

OBEYING GOD'S WILL BLESSES FAMILY (Effie Monteiro Goa)

I am a housewife, married and have a son working for Merchant Navy. My husband works for a Bank. I have attended two retreats at Divine Retreat Centre in September 2007 alone and in May 2008 along with my husband. My only son was studying in UK and facing difficulties in his studies. We were distressed and that’s when my husband and I attended a retreat in 2008. On the first day itself, Fr. Augustine gave a message saying “There are anxious parents of a child studying in UK. God wants you to surrender everything to Him and he will intervene in His own time.” We claimed this message and surrendered it all to Him.

During the Inner Healing session, there was a message for my son - “Siddharth, I am the Good Shepherd, I will take care of you.” We claimed this for our son and trusted that He would turn everything to our good. After returning home, within a month, my son cleared his oral exams.

During the Physical Healing session, my husband was healed of the severe pain in his right arm. I had calcification in my breast for the last fourteen years as I had lost two babies in late pregnancies. I was getting terrible pain in my breast and left arm. The only medication I took was hot water fermentation and oil massage. During the retreat I was completely healed. Praise and thank you Jesus!

Word Of God is Alive! Wrongful Allegations Cleared (Jecintha Cooray, Sri Lanka)

I am an accountant in an 'Attached to State owned Corporation' in Sri Lanka. This is my fifth retreat at Divine Retreat Centre since 2003. I had been visiting almost every year. Being in charge of the Accounts Department I had paid 45 million Rupees in accordance with the decree of the Court of Appeal. The Internal Audit Department erroneously made wrong allegations and tried to interdict and put me in jail with the influence of the political parties.

I surrendered everything to Jesus and put all my trust in the Almighty God and came to Divine Retreat Centre and attended the 7-week Divine Bible Course in 2007. I forgave all who did wrong things to me. Now everything is settled in a peaceful manner and I am promoted as Chief Internal Auditor of the Corporation. God will find the way when there seems to be no way. I praise and thank the Almighty God!

Woman is Healed of Bulky Uterus (Luiza D'Souza, Goa)

I am a tailor by profession. I attended my first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre (DRC) in 1996. I had a bulky uterus and was advised by the doctor to undergo surgery as otherwise it would lead to cancer. Hearing this I was very much frightened. Instead of going for surgery I came to DRC. By listening to the Word of God, my faith in Jesus was increased.

During the Healing Service, Fr. Augustine Vallooran announced that a lady was being healed of her uterus problem. I claimed the message for myself and stood up for the glory of God. After returning home, I went for medical check-up twice and found that everything was normal! The doctor said that the surgery was not required. By the grace of God, until today I have not had this problem. I praise and thank the Lord for His powerful Word that has healed me.

Retreats Change a Family's Life (Lyla And Robert D’Cruse, Chennai)

My husband is working as a Regional manager in a private company in Chennai, India and I am a teacher. This is our third retreat at Divine Retreat Centre as a family and for my husband it is his fourth time. We received many blessings and healings after attending the retreats:

- my husband is able to stop drinking alcohol for the last three and a half years,
- the pain in my knees from which I suffered for four years has disappeared,
- my husband was able to get a better job after undergoing a heavy loss in business
- there is a total change in our family life and we have mental peace

We praise and thank the Lord Jesus for all His blessings and healing gifts.

Doctor's Criminal Charges Replaced By God's Blessings!(Peter Fernandes, Goa)

I am a Medical Practitioner with very good general practice. My first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre was in December 2007. I came with a lot of bad memories and I was completely confused in life. My neighbouring doctors, due to professional rivalry and with the help of their seniors had filed a criminal case against me. As a result I had to go to the Session Court and then to the High Court of Mumbai, India. I got the anticipatory bail.

During my first retreat I surrendered myself totally to the Lord and kept my hope and faith in Jesus. After the Retreat, the first message I received was that all my criminal charges filed against had been withdrawn by the police and my case had become a minor case. Four months later I left my medical profession and with the help of a beloved friend started my firm called ‘E.P.Associates’. Today, in eight months time, I am doing very well in my business and there are a lot of prosperous projects ahead.

My wife who was a relationship manager at HDFC Bank got a new job with 50% increment in salary. Jesus has worked great miracles in my life and I have now come to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for all that He has done for us. Praise and thank you Lord!

Forgiveness Heals Man of 5-Year Medical Ailments (Christopher Jacob, Bangalore)

I am working as Manager in Vigilance Department of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), a Ministry of Defence Undertaking. I attended my first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre along with my parents, wife and children in April 2008. I was suffering from high Blood Pressure and hyper-cholestrimia ever since 2003 and I am on medication. During the retreat, listening to the Word of God and intense prayer, I was able to make a good confession and forgive everyone. During the Eucharistic adoration I was touched by the Lord.

After returning home, I had a routine blood test done. The doctor said that the results were normal for the first time since 2003 and I might be building resistance and responding. I was moved by the spiritual messages by Fr. Augustine and Fr. Michael and I have received many blessings since I attended the retreat. Praise and thank you Jesus!

Miraculous Healing from Deadly Pneumonia! (Maria Snaysha Fernandes, Goa)

I fell sick on 4 January 2008 with very high fever and was admitted to Manipal Hospital in Goa. Tests for almost all diseases were done, but the doctors could not diagnose the real cause of my sickness. The fever remained at 107 degrees centigrade. The nurses gave me ice-water sponge which made my condition worse. I was in a semi-conscious state and my finger tips turned blue. I was taken to the ICU and was put on the ventilator. Most of my body organs were failing and the doctors had given just 72 hours guarantee for my life. They said that only prayers and a miracle could save my life. My parents sent prayer petitions to the Prayer Tower at DRC and other prayer centers. All who visited me kept praying for me. They consoled my family members and assured continued prayers. At last the miracle really happened. God answered their prayers. I started gaining my consciousness and began to respond to the treatment. By that time they received my last blood report from Mumbai which showed that I suffered from a rare kind of pneumonia. After two months of medication, prayers and rest I joined the university classes and in my final semester MA. English Literature I secured sixty one percentage of marks.

I always remember my father’s words, "Whatever happens, it happens for our good in the plan of God." When I think back about what good it was, I understood that God used me as an instrument to make people believe in Him and pray which transformed their lives. This sickness helped me to get close to God. Praise God!

Ear Problem Healed (Nancy Rodrigues, Mumbai)

I am a housewife. My first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre was in 2005. Since then we have been coming every year. I had a problem in my left ear for nearly seven to eight months and could not hear well. I did not consult a doctor.

During the Inner Healing service of the retreat, the priest announced that a person is healed of problem in her left ear. I claimed it. After I returned to my room, a big ball of wax came out from my ear. I tried putting oil, ear drops but nothing helped. Jesus healed me without any treatment. Alleluia!

God's Mercy Transforms Woman's Life (Daisy Michael, Thane)

I am a widow, 47 years old, having two sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandson. My first retreat was in 2005 and this is my second visit. I was living a sinful life and very easily I could get trapped by men. I was also in heavy debts and tried to commit suicide many a times. An agent cheated my son for Rs.80,000/-, I lost my own house and my second son was jobless.

After my last retreat, my whole life changed completely. During the Inner Healing service, the Lord in His mercy lifted me up, a person whom the world had rejected. The priest called me by name saying "Daisy the Lord is healing you, I am your shepherd, there is nothing you shall want. Let any darkness come, I am there with you."

I was shocked and cried bitterly and could not believe the Lord could forgive my so many sins. I became the leader in the Charismatic Group; the Lord blessed all those people who had lent me money and they relieved me of the interest which I had to pay. They only took the capital amount which was about Rs. 50,000-60,000. My second son got a job in Dubai without paying any money. Today he is a safety officer. My elder son who is an executive supporter, got married and has a son. Praise the Lord for He saved my family and drew us out of the pit. Thank you Jesus!

Woman's Duodenal Ulcer Healed Without Bypass Surgery (Honey K. Udayaraj, Chennai)

I am married for seventeen years and have no child as yet. My first retreat at Divine Retreat Centre was in 1995, second in 1996 and third in 1998. I had health problems in 1998, oesophagus ulcer, duodenal ulcer, colitis and endometriosis. For duodenal ulcer, the doctor insisted on a bypass surgery. I was admitted in hospital for four months but in vain.

Then I came for a retreat to DRC and during the Physical Healing service, Fr. Augustine prayed and told me not to do the bypass surgery. I claimed the message as a promise from God and was healed. Today I am perfectly normal related to ulcer complaints and have not undergone bypass surgery. I praise and thank You, Jesus!

Osteoarthritis Sufferer Healed after 8 Years (Joan Fernandes, Mumbai)

I have been coming to Divine Retreat Centre for the past six years. I was suffering from osteoarthritis for the last eight years and also had a spine fracture since last year. I have done arthroscopy on one knee and taken injections on the other knee.

I tried all treatments including acupuncture. I was not able to kneel and had to put in a lot of pressure to do so. During the Physical Healing service, when the priest asked us to kneel, I was able to do it without any pain. All glory to God!

GIFT OF CHILD AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF MARRIAGE (Zeenat Pereira, Mumbai)

I am a teacher by profession. I attended two retreats at Divine Retreat Centre in 1996 and 2004. I had fibroids in the uterus. I got married in 1996 and was childless for eight years after my first miscarriage in the fifth month. I consulted the best doctors, took a lot of medicines and did a lot of tests. We even decided to have the fibroids removed. When nothing seemed to work we attended a retreat at DRC in May 2004. We asked God to forgive all our shortcomings and He blessed us. In June I conceived by the grace of God and had a lot of complications. I went through a lot of upheavals but my faith in Jesus, especially the Cross kept me going. I had a premature normal delivery, gave birth to a baby girl whom we named Naomi. She is a special gift of God. Since then I have not taken any medicine. God is great!

GOD'S MIRACLE GIFT OF TWO CHILDREN (Freddy Anthony, Nagpur)

I am working as a Technical Supervisor in Coal India Ltd. My wife is a homeopath. I first visited Divine Retreat Centre in February 1997. This is our second retreat advised by a family friend. We were married in 1994. In the same year my wife was five months pregnant and it was revealed in USG that she had an Intra Uterine Death, the foetus dried up and she underwent a DNC. The doctors could not find the reason for this. We took treatment from specialists and my wife conceived again in 1996. This time we did not take any chance. All the care was taken and the baby was growing well. I shifted my wife to Nagpur for her delivery. During her eighth month she went for her routine check-up and the USG reports read that the foetus was dead. She bore all the pain of the DNC again and we were shattered. We still could not find the reasons for this. All tests performed read normal.

Later in January 1997, we were advised by a family friend to attend a retreat at DRC and in February 1997 we were here. We received spiritual healings, our names were called among those who were healed and we went back with full confidence and strong in our prayers. My wife conceived again in November 1997 and the same was repeated. We lost our third child. I came out of the hospital room and cried out to the Lord asking Him why He could not perform a miracle, but in vain. My wife underwent DNC again and I wondered why this had to happen after a retreat. Surely God had better plans.

Here I would like to mention that working for Coal India Ltd., most of the mines were in very remote areas. Being there was very difficult for me to get good medical facilities for my wife. Hence I applied for a transfer to Nagpur with very little hope but the Lord helped me. I got my transfer in 1998 and my wife conceived in November 1998. This time she delivered a healthy baby girl (caesarean) on 14 July 1999. We named her Sherly Mary. Again in August 2003, my wife conceived and she had problems in the eighth month. On 9 April 2004, her Blood Pressure started fluctuating. I was called and told that the life of my wife and the baby was in danger as her platelets count went down to 10000 when it should be 15000. She had to be operated in an Emergency with no guarantee. I had no way but to say yes with trust in my Lord. On 10 April 2004, she delivered a baby boy (caesarean) who weighed only one kilogram and had to be kept in incubator for two months. There was no hope of his survival too but thanks to God that he is normal. Both my children and my wife are living a peaceful life away from all troubles. I thank and praise God for His marvelous work!

HOLE IN HEART AND OTHER AILMENTS HEALED! (Isabel Mascarenhas, Goa)

I am a beautician, married and have two sons. I attended five retreats at Divine Retreat Centre in 2001, 2002, 2007 and twice in 2008. I have received many blessings and healings, spiritual and physical and have learnt to forgive and do good to those who hurt me. The Word of God preached by the priests and preachers has powerfully touched my heart and changed me completely. At every retreat I was cleansed by His Precious Blood and filled with the Holy Spirit. The hole in my heart which was 21 mm in size for which surgery was required was closed completely and the Lord gave me a new heart. There was no possibility of another child but I was blessed with another son on Easter Sunday fourteen years after my first child and without any problem. I am healed of my knee which was severely injured during an accident which required urgent surgery. I had a small cyst on my foot which disappeared miraculously when I returned home after the retreat. I also used to get ulcers in my mouth and it was a great discomfort for me. I had taken treatment but it recurred. During the physical healing service, the ulcers in my mouth disappeared. Praise the Lord!

During my retreat in 2007, my son who was wearing spectacles from the time he was seven years of age was healed and does not have to use them anymore. He also passed with a first class in Std. XII and got admission to study the degree course BBA in the college that he wanted. I thank and praise the Lord that within a month it was possible for my son and also his friends to come here along with me and glorify God’s name. Praise and thank you Jesus!

FORGIVENESS BRINGS HEALING (Mary Sylvia Chang, Mumbai)

I heard about Divine Retreat Centre through friends. Though I am a Catholic I did not practice it. This is my first retreat at DRC along with my sister. I felt a lot of healing taking place spiritually and physically. I have become light hearted and joyful. I was suffering from back and neck pain and had a lot of guilt feeling because I lived a life against my religion. I was under medication for five years but in vain. Through forgiveness, I received healing during the Healing service.