spirituality

Through the intercession of
Blessed James Alberione
Faith in the intercession of the saints is a power we
can all possess

A miracle and a conversion

I would like to make others know about the great grace I received through the intercession of Blessed James Alberione.

Having grown up in San Lorenzo di Fossano, the birthplace of Blessed Alberione, and having been a missionary in the Philippines for 38 years, I desired very much to be present at his beatification.

Fortunately, I was able to participate in the various celebrations and I spent a few days with my family before departing for my beloved mission place. But the Lord had a different plan for me.

On May 20, 2003, I was a victim of a very big accident in the locality of San Lorenzo di Fossano. I was brought to the nearest emergency clinic in Savigliano, Cuneo, then was transferred to a hospital in Turin with a fatal prognosis that I might remain paralyzed.

At this, my relatives and co-sisters prayed with the faith for my recovery through the intercession of Blessed James Alberione. Due to my desperate physical condition, I was put to sleep for one week through some medicine, during which I had two surgeries. When the medicine was suspended I woke up but could not move.

My relatives and co-sisters who came to visit and assit me felt much anguish with my situation. They prayed the Rosary and invoked the help of Blessed Alberione. The next medical examination showed a lesion on the spinal column.

Then fortunately, one day, the doctor told the sister assisting me the “happy news” that I was able to move. ‘It’s a miracle', the sister said. And the doctor answered: “I am a Muslim, pray also for me.”

After 40 days I left the intensive care unit and returned to my community.

I have to thank the Lord for sustaining me through the love and prayers of the sisters who assisted me. And I attribute my cure to Blessed James Alberione.

Sr. Gianfranca Rulfo, PDDM
A missionary in the Philippines for 38 years and is back to Italy

Saved from the deadly disease

At the end of March 2000, at the waiting room of the Secretariat for Information of the University of Seville, I took notice of the magazine “Cooperador Paolino” wherein I read an article about Fr. James Alberione. I was immediately struck by the extraordinary figure of this priest and tried to obtain his stampita. I immediately began recommeding myself to his prayers every day.

Since 1987, I suffered from Hepatitis C and periodically submitted to medical check-up which showed that my health was at risk. I knew that this disease can generate into cirrhosis and tumor of the liver, which only a liver transplant can remedy.

I prayed to Fr. Alberione that the disease might not be transmitted to my wife and to my 3 year old son. With the increase of my preoccupation my confidence in Fr. Alberione also increased. I also obtained a relic from Fr. Pedro Paz and attached it to the medal of the agonizing Christ which I always wore.

On the day in which I was to take the results of my analysis and those of my wife and son, I prayed with particular fervor, together with the Pauline community in Seville. Here is the double surprise. There was no risk for my wife and son to be contaminated; and when the doctor read mine, he said: “It is impossible!” He could not believe his own eyes. Mine was totally negative. I cried for joy and said to my wife: “It was Fr. Alberione.” I explained to the doctor that it was because of the prayer of Fr. Alberione. I thank the Lord for this grace and I thank our Blessed Alberione who interceded for us.

Francisco Jose del Valle Rodriquez
Seville, Spain