Phil’s Story of Healing and Grace

Over the past three years routine bloodwork revealed major concerns about Phil’s liver.  This was a surprise as he is an active young man who eats well.  Even though he was not drinking he was losing weight and doctors were baffled about the diagnosis, despite the six doctor appointments and 12 blood tests over a three-year period.  Throughout this time, he included in his prayers a request for a favor from Blessed Solanus.  Phil attended the beatification Mass in 2017 and has a family tie to Solanus.  While his grandfather was serving in World War II, his grandmother stopped receiving correspondence and feared the worst.  She made the trip to St. Bonaventure Monastery from their home in Hamtramck seeking support.  Before she could explain her problem, Fr. Solanus approached her and told her to return home to find all the answers to her concerns.  Upon returning home, she received a box from a postal worker containing several months of letters from my grandfather.

When Phil submitted his favor report, he confessed with amazing authenticity: “The motivation for writing is to fulfill a hope I had, that somehow this challenge and all the stresses with it would bring some glory to God. It first started with some grand ideas that I would just be healed. It turned into indignant hopefulness, as if God was unfairly allowing this issue to happen. It turned into this romantic idea that I could somehow be a part of Bl. Solanus’ story and aid his cause for sainthood. Then, gratefully, I was moved to a bit more humility, a bit more surrender, a bit more freedom. Ultimately, the final month or so of prayer grew to trusting in God’s designs. However, the through line was in seeking God’s mercy through Bl. Solanus’ intercession.”

He continued: “On the day of my most recent blood test (July 2025), I asked Fr. Solanus to help me cherish the consolation I’ve received in my prayer regarding this health issue, to trust in God’s mercy, and to remind me that God will grant me what I need, whatever that is. I also prayed for a specific reminder that was granted during my last test in April: “Holy Spirit, may this place continue your healing work in your own time, through the intercession of Bl. Solanus (and a few other saints). The results of the test on July 10 show all levels are within the normal range. It is the first time the levels have been normal since 2020.”

He concluded, “My writing to you here is simply to honor what was set on my heart early and, in humility, to submit gratefully a record of God’s love and mercy!”

Blessed be God in All His Designs!