God ALONE works miracles. But He often uses the smallest and most
insignificant of persons. Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is certainly one example. Bernadette was poor, ordinary
and found learning very difficult. Yet God chose her for a great mission on this earth.
God can choose anyone He wants. No one dictates to God whom He should or
should not choose. That is not for anyone of us to direct. God has no spiritual director, no
counselor, no advisor but Himself. He is sufficient to Himself.
Scripture tells us that God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts,
our thoughts. Food for much thought!
These truths can be most aptly applied to Little Audrey Santo of Worcester,
MA. If left to anyone of us to decide, who would choose a little three-year old girl, the victim of bad
judgments on the part of medical persons, to become a great intercessor of prayer and procurer of miracles.
As indicated in my article last week, Audrey is in an akinetic-mutism state.
She cannot move herself or speak, but she can hear, see and respond in ways that she can. Most and best
of all, she can pray. She can and does offer her sufferings for the salvation of souls and prays for the
intentions of others. Sometimes these prayers of hers have obtained from God real miracles.
One of the most astounding of these occurred to a young man who had been in a
terrible motorcycle accident. He was fortunate to survive, but was "doomed" to use crutches the
rest of his life. The young man’s mother went to Little Audrey and asked her to please ask God to cure her son.
When the mother arrived back home, she was met at the door by her "handicapped" boy. The miraculous thing,
however, was that he was not using crutches nor has he done so since. He explained that he just felt he
didn’t need them anymore.
Our Lady of Medjugorje once said that it is, "easy for God to heal, but
difficult for man." No human or scientific reason can be given for the young man’s straightened body. For
those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no explanation is possible.
God hears the prayers of all of us. But it may be safe to say that the
prayers of those who have generously offered themselves, in their innocence, to suffer and pray for
others, move God to answer with an even greater Divine Generosity.
As indicated in my last article, the Bishop of Worcester has NOT closed the
door on the "unusual happenings" related to Little Audrey. As a matter of fact, when he visited
the Santo home recently, he said he felt very strongly the Presence of God there. He knelt and prayed near Little
Audrey’s bed. He stayed in the home for two hours.
If the Psalmist can call on the ice and snow, wind and rain to "bless the
Lord," so can a young girl (now 14), who cannot move or speak, "bless the Lord."
"How wonderful You are, O Lord, in all Your works." Yes, in Little Audrey, too!
God bless us everyone!