Angela Boudreaux ern-

Angela Boudreaux (1929 - 2001), the recipient of the miracle, and Fr. Joseph Elworthy, C.Ss.R., who presided at her funeral on June 21.

eelos Center VOLUME XL • NUMBER 9• SEPTEMBER 2001

Nothing Short of a Miracle -Angela Boudreaux, whose_recovery from tenni= nal liver cancer in 1966 was the miracle that helped be-atify Father Francis Seelos and put him one step away from sainthood, died of co-lon cancer on June 21. She was 71. Fr. Joseph Elworthy, C.Ss.R., longtime director of the Seelos Center and per-sonal friend of the Boudreaux's, presided at her funeral Mass with a dozen concelebrants in St. Mary's Assumption Church. A conscientious worker faithful to the end, Mrs. Boudreaux was a secre-tary and assistant at the Seelos Center in New Orleans for the past seventeen years.

After her remarkable recovery in 1966, Angela eventually felt certain of her missicifi -ifi life: to share with others "the marvels God has done" in her own life through the intercession of Father Seelos. As a mother with four young children who was told she had two weeks to live thirty-five years ago, Angela's "blessed extension" of life not only permitted her to raise her own children but also to en-joy her grandchildren. She derived great pleasure in what ultimately became the last full year of her life ... and what a full year it was! She and her husband, Mel, witnessed first-hand the beatification ceremony of Blessed Francis Seelos in Rome on April 9, 2000 and they person-

ally presented a gift from the Redemptorists to the Holy Father. They also celebrated their golden anniversary of marriage during that year.

Situation Deemed Hopeless- In Au-gust 1966, an examination by Dr. Alfred Rufty revealed that Angela's abdomen was swollen at that time to proportions of a six-month pregnancy from a liver nine-times normal size. A preliminary biopsy found no liver tissue at all — only malignant cells. Exploratory surgery at Southern Baptist Hospital proved that the liver was simply "replaced" by a ma-lignant tumor: 90% of the organ was ma-lignancy, 10% liver. Since the situation was deemed hopeless, no attempt was made to cut away the massive cancer. A number of pathologists confirmed the findings. Liver cancer usually has a par-ent tumor somewhere else in the body, so the situation was even deadlier, but,

from liver failure alone, it was expected that Angela would be dead within two weeks.

When she was still alive one month later — having prayed at Seelos' grave on her way home from the hospital and having received a blessing with his mission cross — she was placed on a highly experi-mental chemotherapy in 1966. She was told there was little chance it would work and that the chemicals were so toxic that she would be bedridden

and in agony for a full year. Angela suffered no side effects and

made a complete recovery. A few years later, gallbladder surgery revealed only minor scars on her liver. Dr. Rufty, who is Episcopalian and a self-described man of science, said it was the closest thing to a miracle he had ever seen.

Once a Miracle ... Always a Miracle!- Some have wondered whether Angela's passing has any impact on the Vatican's official acceptance of the miracle. Angela's passing has a definite impact on those of us who love her and miss her; however, her death changes nothing from the astonishing experience of thirty-five years ago. In 1999, Angela underwent an additional series of medi-cal tests as part of the beatification pro-cess and she received a clean bill of health.

Continued on page 2

Seelos Center NEWS

DESPERATELY SEEKING FUSSEN!

Clarion Herald Pilgrimages announces its 14-day Pilgrimage to GERMANY, (the birthplace of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos)

and to ITALY MAY 3 —16, 2002 Visit the cities of Munich, Altotting, Fiissen, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome

Spiritual Director: Fr. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. Director of the National Shrine

of Blessed Francis Seelos in New Orleans

M. Round Trip Airfare

As Hotel accommodations iss Daily Mass

Baggage handling

Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach

Comprehensive sightseeing

Admission to selected sites listed in itinerary

iss English-speaking tour manager/guide throughout

As. Breakfast and dinner

$3499.00 dbl. occ. from New Orleans

Call Clarion Herald Pilgrimages for more information and for a detailed brochure (504)835-0324

www.unitours.com/client/clarionseelos.html

Seelos Center News" CUSPS 488-660) published monthly by the Redemptonsts at the Seelos Foundation, One Liguori Drive. Liguori, Missouri 63057-9999

Telephone (636) 464-2500 Subscription is 59.00 per year. Periodical Postage Paid at St. Louis, Missouri.

Postmaster: send address changes to the Seelos Foundation, One Liguori Drive, Liguori Missouri 63057-9999

A Message FROM THE EDITOR

Here is an actual ad copy designed to sell a second-hand pencil that has no eraser:

"Forget laundry bills forever! This pre-tested, chrome

yellow, hard-finished writing instrument positively will not leak and keeps your hands free of ink and your clothes

safe and spotless. Fabricated from the finest second- growth hickory, it's graphite-filled with fine-grained, jet- black carbon that can't snag or catch on any paper sur-

face. Removal of the eraser guarantees pencil to be 100% latex-free. No push-pull, no click-click. The point is al-

ways there, ready to write. No unsightly pocket clip. It writes in any weather. Refilling unnecessary. Fits stan- dard sharpener. Send for free information today!"

(J. Fisher, Entrepreneur, May 1996) So what's my point (pun intended)? Before all else, the

lives of saints are oriented toward the inner renewal of the individual. The inspiration of our ancestors in faith, like Father Seelos, is meant to help renew the Church, one "pearl of great price" at a time. However, like used pencils with-out erasers, it's hard to sell secondhand individual renewal experiences. Your friends and loved ones may know about your inspiration from Father Seelos, but have they encoun-tered him firsthand for themselves? Can you name three persons whose faith would benefit directly from knowing about

Blessed Francis Seelos? No push-pull; no click-click. Just take the old #2 chrome yellow writing instrument and kindly include their names and addresses in the enclosed envelope so that we can send them "free information on the inspiring Father Seelos today!"

41■..■

fir=

Fr. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.

e-grvc .

Continued from page 1

For the beatification, two components were essential: the scholarly volumi-nous work on Father Seelos known as the Positio, researched and compiled for thirteen years by Fr. Carl Hoegerl, C.Ss.R.; and a bona fide physical heal-ing that defies explanation. It was An-gela Boudreaux's physical healing upon which the verdict of the Con-gregation of the Causes of the Saints rested. May she now rest in peace and find eternal joy with our Redeemer and all the saints of heaven.

Seelos Center NEWS

Vice-Provincial Superior: Very Rev. Thomas D. Picton, C.Ss.R.

Vice Provincial - New Orleans

Seelos Center Executive Director / Editor: Rev. Byron Miller. C.Ss.R.

Seelos Foundation Development Director: Victor L. Ottenlips

Editorial Staff: Brenda Massey/Evelyn John

Seelos Center News One Liguori Drive • Liguori, MO 63057-9999

1-800-464-2555

Seelos Center / Shrine 2030 Constance Street

New Orleans. LA 70130-5099 (504) 525-2495 / FAX (504) 581-9181 Visit our Web site at www.seelos.org

Vice-Postulators: Rev. John C. Vargas, C.Ss.R.

Rev. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.

Director Emeritus: Rev. Joseph Elworthy, C.Ss.R.

Administrative Assistant: Mr. Jack Guidry

A monthly newsletter for friends of Blessed Francis X. Seelos, C.Ss.R.

Seelos Center NEWS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! -you are invited to the J4nnual

Blessed Jrancis ,Xavier Seelos 3/lass

Sunday, October r at 11:30 a.m.

at St. <Nary's assumption Church

(corner of dosephine & Constance. Streets),

'New Orleans, Louisiana

2 reception in honor of

2mbassador Corinne :Lindy" 'Boggs

immediately follows the Seelos <Nass at the

St. 2lphonsus 2rt & Cultural Center,

2045 Constance Street New Orleans, Lottisiarut

Photo credit: Frank J. Methe

Longtime Seelos Center volunteer, Julia Callahan, prays

before the Reliquary of Blessed Francis Seelos, located at his

national shrine in St. Mary's Assumption Church, New Orleans.

"With Him is Plentiful Redemption" (Psalm 130:7)

The Seelos Center offers the following services: ❑ Pilgrimages to St. Mary's Assumption Church, the Shrine

and Museum of Blessed F. Seelos in New Orleans. For details and appointments, call the Center at 504-525-2495.

❑ A Daily Spiritual Message. Call 504-586-1803.

❑ Blessings of the Sick with a Mission Crucifix of Blessed E Seelos in the Greater New Orleans area, please call:

Gerry Heigle (E. Jefferson) 504-482-4404 Jack Pitkin (Uptown/Innercity) 504-524-6591 Teresa LaCour (E. Jefferson) 504-887-0214 Rita Kaul (Arabi) 504-271-4520 Rosary Stoltman (Westbank) 504-393-9423 Jim Howard (St. Bernard) 504-277-7949 Elaine Freeman (Westbank) 504-341-2213 Peter Lukinovich (N.O. East) 504-241-2746 Ethel Kuhn (Ochsner) 504-837-3957 Bill and Sunny Schulz (Mandeville) 985-792-5394 Carmelie Mancuso (Slidell) 985-641-6999 Mary Jo Stewart (Slidell) 985-643-5548 Pam Crutchfield, R.T. (Covington) 985-892-6560 Ethel Gallagher (Reserve) 985-536-0276 Dan Montz, L.P.C. (Houma/Thibodaux) 985-446-1805

❑ Veneration of Blessed F. Seelos' Mission Crucifix every Sunday after the 11:30 am Mass in the historic St. Mary's Assumption Church (Josephine and Constance Streets).

❑ Weekly Mass celebrated for the intentions of the Seelos Center. If you have Special Intentions, please list them in the space provided on the enclosed envelope.

The Seelos Center / Seelos Foundation Office offers the following devotionals: (Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery of item(s) requested):

❑ "Seelos: A Cause to Rejoice," an informative documentary sPEcIAL on the life of Blessed F. Seelos; 30-minute VHS cassette.

piticE! (Suggested donation: $15 - includes postage.)

❑ "A Life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos," a new 108 -page paperback biography by Carl Hoegerl, C.Ss.R. & Alicia von Stamwitz. (Suggested donation: $8.50 - includes postage).

❑ Nothing Short of a Miracle, a 207-page paperback book by Patricia Treece on the healing power of the saints; two of the chapters feature Father Seelos. (Suggested donation: $12.50 - includes postage.)

❑ Messengers: After -Death Appearances of Saints & Mystics, a 343-page hardbound book on the authentic appearances of the holy dead sent as God's messengers. Chapters on Fr. Seelos; photos included. Autographed by author, P. Treece. (Suggested donation: $21.50 - includes postage.)

❑ Seelos Medals: Blessed E Seelos medal, made of nickel silver. Round (3/4" diameter), with loop, antique finish, finely crafted in the United States. (Suggested donation: $3 each or 2/$5(+$1p/h).

❑ Pamphlets and prayer cards of Blessed E Seelos, available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

❑ Audio cassette of a spiritual conference talk on God as Father and Blessed F. Seelos, given by Father Charles Mallen, C.Ss.R. (Suggested donation: $6 - includes postage.)

❑ A Blessed E Seelos vigil candle will burn near his tomb or in the Seelos Museum at St. Mary's Assumption Church, New Orleans for an offering of $3.00.

❑ First, Second and Third-Class relics of Blessed F. Seelos. Please contact the Seelos Center, 504-525-2495

Seelos Center NEWS

Bloomfield Hills, MI I was recently given a holy card with a relic of Fr. Seelos.

Last week, being a little visually impaired, I seriously injured my forehead on two separate occasions. The pain was severe so I put the relic of Fr. Seelos to the hurting area and asked for enough healing to do my work. The relief was immedi-ate! I'd like to say "thank-you" to Fr. Seelos for his help in this.

Kenner, LA Father Seelos recently answered my prayers for good

health. On June 11, I had my annual mammogram and was called back for a magnified version and an ultrasound. My doctor told me to see a surgeon. On June 22, the surgeon told me it was that radiologist's opinion that I had breast cancer and a biopsy was scheduled. The second ultrasound and biopsy was set for the 27th, but two radiologists at the clinic couldn't duplicate the first one's findings. A Sterotactic Breast Biopsy was performed on the 28t 1 and on the next day, I was given a clean bill of health. During the entire pro-cess I prayed for Father Seelos to intercede on my behalf to Our Lord. I truly believe he came to my aid in my time of need.

Church Point, LA In 1998, my son was in a four-wheeler accident and had

injured his knee. When the nurse admitted him for surgery, before anyone could put him to sleep they had to promise not to remove his scapular and they also had to say the Lord's Prayer with him. He went through months of physical therapy and continues to have problems with his knee, but still manages to play high school football and other sports activities. Then in 1999, my son broke his arm while at foot-ball practice. He recovered from his injury one more time and during football season, he placed a relic of Blessed Seelos in the football helmet and a candle and prayers were said every Friday before the game. My family has a strong devo-tion to Blessed Seelos.

New Orleans, LA On June 2, I awakened to a numb right leg. I tried to tie

my shoes, but my fingers wouldn't work. (By the way, I'm 38 years old.) I was rushed to the hospital and I soon found out I was having a stroke. While in intensive care for three days, I lost my speech and use of my right hand. When I came out of I.C.U. I could speak but still couldn't use my right hand. I was upset at this, because I've played piano since I was three-years-old.

I've always used this ability to play piano as volunteer work to entertain the elderly in nursing homes. My doctor told me I'd probably never play difficult music like Chopin again and one therapist told me it would take a year of therapy before I could attempt to play. After a week in the hospital and therapy twice a day, I still couldn't use my right hand to hold a fork or pen or brush my teeth. Tying my shoes was an ordeal.

It was then that a Jesuit priest, Fr. Stahel, from our par-ish visited me and brought me something that had belonged to our deceased pastor, knowing how close our family had been to him. It was a first-class relic of Fr. Seelos that had belonged to Fr. Harry Tompson, S.J. Within ten minutes of having Fr. Seelos' relic hung around my neck, I was playing the keyboard in my room with both hands! The doctors said they've never seen such a remarkable recovery so quickly.

P.S. I am playing Chopin again, too!

Brentwood, TN Years ago, my wife and I visited New Orleans on our

honeymoon. We went to St. Mary's Church where we vis-ited the tomb of Fr. Seelos. He has been a family friend for forty years! In June 2001, we were in a terrible car wreck; my wife and I went sixty-seven feet down an embankment into a creek. On my person was the relic of Bl. Seelos that I carry in my wallet. I walked out of the wreck with a bruised heart, cracked ribs and knee injury. My wife had to be cut out of the car. There was a 20% chance she would lose her leg. She is healing promptly and we are praying that Blessed Seelos and St. Gerard will give her the grace to walk again!

• •

NEW DEVOTIONAL Now Available

NOVENA IN HONOR OF BLESSED FRANCIS X. SEELOS 32-page Deluxe Pamphlet with

sturdy cover for $3.°° (includes postage)

Send request to: SEELOS CENTER,

2030 Constance Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Seelos Center NEWS

HAVE YOU RECENTLY MOVED? Are you Receiving duplicate copies?

Please notify us if changes are needed in the way you currently receive our newsletter

WRITE TO: Seelos Foundation • The Redemptorists New Orleans Vice Province • One Liguori Drive • Liguori, MO 63057-9999

OR CALL: 800-464-2555 Ext. 425 (Please allow a minimum of 30 days to process your changes.)

The Seelos Museum, Shrine and Gift Shop are now open on Saturdays! New Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 3 PM • Saturday - 10 AM - 3:30 PM

Tours available during the hours of operation - Other times by appointment. (504) 525-2495