Saints of Healing: Hope and Intercession in the Battle Against Autoimmune Disease
When a Catholic faces the daunting reality of an autoimmune disease — or walks alongside a loved one who does — the journey can be long, confusing, and often isolating. Autoimmune illnesses (like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many others) are chronic conditions where the body’s own immune system turns against itself, causing pain and fatigue that can persist for years. In these prolonged valleys of suffering, the Church offers profound sources of comfort and hope. Our faith teaches that Jesus is the Divine Physician, and that through prayer, the sacraments, and the support of the Christian community, we encounter His healing grace even amid chronic illness. In particular, Catholics often turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the canonized saints as heavenly companions in times of sickness. This pastoral reflection will explore several saints closely associated with healing and perseverance in the face of chronic and autoimmune diseases. We will explain why these holy men and women are invoked, how the faithful engage in prayer with them, and share real accounts or legends of hope and healing attributed to their intercession. Throughout, we will emphasize a truly Catholic understanding of suffering and healing — one rooted in the sacraments, trust in God’s will, redemptive suffering, and the loving presence of the Communion of Saints accompanying us in our trials.
The Catholic Understanding of Suffering, Healing, and Intercession
Before we meet these heavenly helpers, it’s important to recall how the Catholic Church views illness and healing, especially in the context of chronic diseases. Illness is never just a physical event; it affects the whole person — body, mind, and soul. Autoimmune disorders, in particular, can be invisible to others yet deeply affect one’s daily life and inner spirit. The Church responds to illness with both spiritual and physical care. In the sacraments, especially the Anointing of the Sick, the suffering person is united to Jesus’ own saving love. This sacrament (often received along with Confession and Holy Communion) prays not only for possible physical healing, but for spiritual strength, peace, and the forgiveness of sins. We believe that Christ can and does work miracles. But we also believe that even when a complete physical cure does not occur, His grace can bring courage, peace of heart, and a closer union with Him through the cross. In fact, Catholics understand that our sufferings, when united to Christ’s passion, can become spiritually fruitful — a concept often called “redemptive suffering.” This means that our pain, borne with faith, can be offered as a prayer itself for our own sanctification or the good of others, just as Jesus’ suffering redeemed the world.
Prayer to the saints is another vital aspect of our tradition, especially during long illnesses. We do not see the saints as magical healers on their own; rather, we believe these faithful servants of God are alive with Him in heaven and can join their prayers to ours. When struggling with a chronic illness, many find it consoling to ask a patron saint who understands their particular trial to intercede on their behalf. It’s akin to asking a wise, empathetic friend to pray with you — except this friend now stands before the Throne of God. In Catholic homes and parishes, it is common to hold novenas (nine-day prayer devotions) or to light candles before statues and images of these saints, entrusting them with our needs. Many who are ill will keep sacramentals close by: perhaps wearing a medal of a patron saint, holding a blessed rosary, or keeping a relic or prayer card near their bed. These tangible items are reminders that they are not alone in their fight. The saints’ own stories of suffering, patience, and even miraculous healings provide inspiration and hope. Indeed, throughout history there have been numerous accounts of both physical and spiritual healings — some officially recognized by the Church as miracles — attributed to the prayers of the saints we will discuss.
Below, we will look at the Blessed Virgin Mary (especially under her title as Health of the Sick) and several canonized saints often associated with aiding those with chronic or autoimmune illnesses. For each, we’ll see why they are connected to this cause, how Catholics invoke their help, and examples of hope or cures linked to their intercession. May these examples strengthen our faith that, in Christ and in communion with His saints, no one suffers alone and that God’s love is at work even amid long-term illness.
The Blessed Virgin Mary – Health of the Sick and Comforter of the Afflicted
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” These familiar words of the Hail Mary take on special meaning when someone is enduring a serious or chronic illness. The Blessed Virgin Mary is revered as a tender mother to all the faithful, and countless Catholics battling autoimmune diseases or other long illnesses have found strength by entrusting themselves to her care. Mary knows what it means to suffer and to watch a loved one suffer — she stood by Jesus at the foot of the Cross. Thus, she is often invoked under titles such as Comforter of the Afflicted, Health of the Sick, and Mother of Mercy. While Mary is not a patron of any one disease in a formal sense, her intercession has been linked to many healings throughout centuries. Her maternal presence brings peace to anxious hearts, and she unfailingly points us toward her Son, Jesus, the source of all healing.
One of the most powerful associations of Mary with physical healing is Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1858 the Virgin Mary appeared to a humble young woman, St. Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes, France. During these apparitions, Mary identified herself with the words “I am the Immaculate Conception” and instructed Bernadette to dig at the ground. A spring of water emerged. Ever since, the waters of Lourdes have been a sign of God’s healing mercy: pilgrims from around the world, including the gravely ill and disabled, journey to Lourdes to bathe in or drink the spring water. The Catholic Church has a rigorous medical bureau at Lourdes, and dozens of cures have been officially declared miraculous after intense scrutiny. Among these are cases highly relevant to autoimmune and chronic illnesses. For example, there have been documented cures of multiple sclerosis and other degenerative diseases at Lourdes. One modern story often retold is that of an American religious sister diagnosed with advanced multiple sclerosis who visited Lourdes seeking Mary’s intercession. Immersing herself in the cool waters and praying the Rosary, she experienced an unexpected surge of strength. In the following weeks, her symptoms dramatically improved, to the astonishment of her doctors. She and her community attributed the change to Our Lady’s prayers obtained at Lourdes. Another recent Lourdes miracle (recognized as the 70th official miracle in 2018) involved a French nun, Sister Bernadette Moriau, who had suffered from decades of chronic nerve damage and paralysis due to a spinal condition. After making a pilgrimage and praying at the Lourdes shrine, she was instantaneously healed and regained full mobility. These are just a couple of examples among thousands of favors people associate with the Blessed Mother’s intercession.
How do Catholics pray with Mary for healing? Often, families will come together to pray the Rosary, intentionally offering each decade for the healing of a particular person or for perseverance through treatment. The Rosary is a Scripture-based meditation on the life of Christ and Mary, and it’s often prayed at hospital bedsides and living rooms alike, as a source of comfort. Many also pray specifically to Our Lady of Lourdes or Our Lady of Fatima or any beloved Marian title, asking for health. A simple yet powerful prayer known as the Memorare (“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary…”) is frequently recited in urgent needs, including health crises. Some individuals anoint themselves or their sick loved ones with water or oil from Marian shrines (like Lourdes water or oil from the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock or Guadalupe), as a way of invoking Mary’s intercession tangibly. Pilgrimages to Marian sanctuaries are another practice: even if the chronically ill person cannot travel, sometimes a family member will go on pilgrimage on their behalf, carrying their prayer intentions to Mary’s shrine.
Beyond physical cures, the Blessed Mother grants a kind of miracle in the hearts of those who call on her. Many struggling with lifelong illnesses testify that praying with Mary brought them a deep sense of peace and even joy amidst pain. One woman with an autoimmune condition that often left her bedridden shared that after consecrating her illness to Mary and praying a daily Rosary, she felt a newfound acceptance and closeness to God, even though her physical symptoms remained. “It was as if Mary were beside me, whispering comfort to my heart,” she said. Mary’s own example of saying “yes” to God — “Let it be done to me according to your word” — inspires patients to trust in God’s plan, even when it involves carrying a heavy cross. Whether one receives a dramatic cure or not, turning to the Blessed Mother ensures that her Son’s grace will bring forth some form of healing. In moments of pain or despair, picturing Mary at one’s side (much like she stood at the Cross) can be immensely consoling. She gently reminds us that we are never alone: a loving mother is spiritually present, tending to us with her prayers, wiping our tears, and guiding us unfailingly to Jesus.
Saint Juliana Falconieri – Patron of Chronic Illness and Eucharistic Consolation
When it comes to saints who understand the trials of chronic illness, St. Juliana Falconieri (1270–1341) stands out as a compassionate patron. She is officially honored as the patron saint of those suffering from chronic or incurable illnesses. Juliana was a noblewoman from Florence, Italy, who devoted her life to God and the service of the sick and poor. She helped found a women’s religious community affiliated with the Servite Order (Servants of Mary). By all accounts, she was a woman of deep prayer, humility, and charity. In her later years, Juliana herself was struck with a mysterious, lingering illness — an undiagnosed gastrointestinal disorder that caused frequent pain, vomiting, and an inability to eat normally. In an era with limited medical knowledge (and no concept of “autoimmune” diseases as we have today), Juliana’s condition was perplexing and debilitating. It would flare up unexpectedly, sometimes rendering her weak for days. Nevertheless, she bore her sickness with remarkable patience and trust in God.
Why is St. Juliana so closely associated with chronic illness? It is because she endured one to the end of her life, and even in her final moments a miracle of comfort occurred. As Juliana’s condition worsened, she could no longer ingest food without immediate sickness. This sadly meant that near the end she also couldn’t receive Holy Communion in the usual way (as the Eucharist is under the form of bread). On her deathbed, Juliana expressed a last wish: to receive Jesus in the Eucharist one more time. Seeing that she could not swallow, the priest in attendance spread a cloth (a corporal) upon Juliana’s chest and reverently placed the consecrated host on it, trusting in God’s understanding. According to the account recorded by those present, Juliana prayed fervently and the host miraculously disappeared from the cloth, as though absorbed straight into her heart. With a peaceful smile and tears of joy, Juliana shortly thereafter passed away, comforted by the divine presence of Christ. This beautiful miracle – essentially a heavenly form of Holy Communion – was seen as God’s tender acknowledgement of her lifetime of faith. It also highlights the centrality of the Eucharist in Catholic healing: when physical remedies failed, the Lord spiritually nourished her in a direct way.
St. Juliana was canonized in 1737, and ever since, people suffering long-term illnesses have looked to her for heavenly support. How do the faithful invoke St. Juliana? Many will pray a novena to St. Juliana Falconieri, asking her to intercede for relief from pain or for strength to persevere. A typical prayer might say, “St. Juliana, you who suffered illness with patience and offered your pain to God, be with me in my sickness. Teach me to unite my difficulties to the Cross of Christ, and ask the Lord to grant me relief or the grace to endure. Amen.” Because of the moving story of her last Communion, some who are chronically ill have a special devotion to Eucharistic adoration and will remember St. Juliana when they pray before the Blessed Sacrament. They take comfort in knowing that Juliana, from heaven, understands what it is to yearn for the Eucharist when bedridden or hospital-bound. There’s even a tradition in some places on her feast day (June 19) to bring Holy Communion to those who cannot regularly attend Mass, in her honor.
There are inspiring accounts of people feeling helped by St. Juliana’s intercession. For instance, a modern religious sister wrote about her battle with a chronic digestive disorder that often prevented her from eating solid food. She felt a kinship with Juliana and prayed to her often. One day, on St. Juliana’s feast, after a particularly prayerful novena, she found herself able to tolerate the Holy Eucharist and a simple meal without any ill effects — something that hadn’t happened in years. While her condition wasn’t completely cured, from that day forward she experienced longer remissions and fewer flare-ups, which she attributes to St. Juliana’s prayers. Another person with a lifelong autoimmune condition shared that merely reading about St. Juliana’s life changed her perspective: “I realized that even a saint struggled daily with illness, yet she turned it into an offering of love. It gave me hope that my life isn’t ‘on hold’ until I get better — my life is happening now, and I can fill it with love and prayer despite illness.” This attitudinal shift is a kind of inner healing that many would say is itself a miracle of grace.
St. Juliana Falconieri teaches us that sanctity is possible in the midst of illness. She shows that God does not abandon the sick; on the contrary, He can be profoundly close to them, even to the point of miraculous intimacy as in her final Communion. Those who suffer chronically can look to Juliana as a heavenly friend who truly understands the nausea, the weakness, and the emotional toll of being ill for so long. And in moments of despair, imagine St. Juliana whispering encouragement: “Hold on to Jesus. He is with you in this. Offer Him your heart, and He will give you His peace.” St. Juliana Falconieri, pray for all who carry the cross of chronic illness!
Saint Lidwina of Schiedam – A Model of Perseverance in Chronic Pain
Among the saints who endured long-term illness, St. Lidwina of Schiedam (1380–1433) is particularly beloved by those suffering chronic pain and degenerative diseases. Lidwina (sometimes spelled Lydwina or Lidwine) was a Dutch teenager from the town of Schiedam in the Netherlands. Her life took a dramatic turn when, at the age of 15, she was injured in an ice-skating accident. What seemed like a simple fall led to complications from which she never recovered. The injury possibly triggered a progressive, mysterious illness that left her bedridden for the rest of her life — nearly 38 years. Modern historians and medical experts who study her detailed accounts believe her symptoms closely resemble multiple sclerosis, making St. Lidwina perhaps one of the first recorded cases of this autoimmune disease. Whether or not it was MS, Lidwina experienced paralysis, muscle atrophy, recurring infections, and immense pain. Parts of her body became ulcerated and her health steadily declined. Yet, despite this agony, Lidwina’s spirit grew stronger even as her body withered. She embraced a life of prayer, offering her suffering in union with Christ, and she reportedly experienced profound mystical visions and consolations from God.
St. Lidwina’s story is challenging but deeply inspiring. Initially, like many of us would, she struggled with why God allowed her to suffer so much. It’s said that in prayer she asked Jesus if she could share in His suffering, and indeed she received a share of His cross. Over time, Lidwina accepted her condition and even radiated joy and compassion from her sickbed. News of her holiness spread, and villagers and townsfolk would come to her small room to ask for prayers or counsel, and many left spiritually uplifted. Though she could hardly move, Lidwina became a source of comfort for others! Angels were reported to visit her, and she had visions of heaven and purgatory which brought insight to those around her. After she died, her grave became a site of pilgrimage, and numerous miracles of healing were reported through her intercession. She was later canonized, and today she is honored as the patron saint of the chronically ill, those suffering from prolonged pain, and even of ice skaters (owing to the odd circumstance that began her trial).
For those battling long illnesses, St. Lidwina offers an example of incredible perseverance. How do people seek her help? Many pray the Novena to St. Lidwina, which reflects on her patience and asks for relief from pain. A line from one common prayer goes: “St. Lidwina, victim with Jesus and lover of the cross, you who miraculously found sweetness in bitterness, pray for me that I may carry my cross with faith and not lose heart.” Such words resonate for someone with an autoimmune disease that flares up unpredictably; it asks not just for physical healing, but for the mental and spiritual fortitude to endure with hope. Devotees of St. Lidwina sometimes keep a small relic or image of her near them. A beautiful practice is to place her holy card in one’s Bible or prayer book, as a reminder that even when we are weak, God can be our strength — just as He was for Lidwina. Because she likely suffered from a neurological disease, some groups for patients with multiple sclerosis or chronic pain syndromes have adopted St. Lidwina as an unofficial patron. On her feast day (April 14), it’s fitting to offer a prayer for all who suffer in similar ways.
Stories of St. Lidwina’s intercession often highlight spiritual healing as much as physical. For example, a man with debilitating chronic back pain shared that, after learning about St. Lidwina, he began asking for her prayers each morning. While his physical pain remained, he noticed a change in his outlook: “I used to wake up dreading the day and feeling bitter. Now I ask St. Lidwina to pray for me to have the strength of Christ, and somehow I feel calmer, even cheerful at times. My pain is still there, but I am different — more hopeful.” Interestingly, there are also occasional reports of remarkable improvements that defy explanation. A young woman with a severe form of an autoimmune disease affecting her nerves had been told she might never walk unaided again. She had a great devotion to St. Lidwina. On a pilgrimage to St. Lidwina’s shrine in Schiedam, after prayer, she felt tingling in her legs and eventually regained the ability to walk with only a cane. Her doctors couldn’t fully explain the remission. She attributes it to God’s grace through St. Lidwina’s compassionate prayers.
Even if one is not cured, St. Lidwina teaches that every day has purpose. From her bed, she did works of mercy through prayer and kind words. She encouraged people to see their sufferings as a way to grow closer to Jesus, who suffered out of love for us. Those confined by illness can feel useless or forgotten; St. Lidwina shatters that lie. In her, we see that a bedridden life can illuminate the whole world with faith and love. The chronically ill have a patron who assures them: “Your life has meaning. God is with you in your pain, and your prayers are powerful.” By following St. Lidwina’s example of surrender, one can discover deep intimacy with God — a hidden treasure in the shadow of suffering. St. Lidwina of Schiedam, pray for us, that we may have endurance and find God’s peace in the midst of pain.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori – Patron of Arthritis Sufferers and Doctor of the Church
Chronic illnesses often bring physical pain and limitations that change one’s way of life. Those who suffer from forms of arthritis, autoimmune joint diseases, or spinal issues have a powerful intercessor and role model in St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787). Alphonsus is a well-known saint in the Church for many reasons: he was a brilliant theologian, the founder of the Redemptorist order, and is a Doctor of the Church for his profound spiritual writings. But in addition to his theological legacy, he also left an example of holiness amid physical suffering. In his senior years, St. Alphonsus developed a severe form of arthritis (some sources describe it as chronic rheumatism or a degenerative spinal condition). This disease caused his neck and back to curve so badly that he became visibly deformed — his head was permanently bent forward until it almost touched his chest. Historians note that he also likely suffered constant pain from nerve compression. For someone who had once been an active missionary preacher, traveling and giving sermons across Italy, this was a huge change. Eventually, his illness forced him to remain in one place, often in bed or a special chair, for the last years of his life.
Instead of growing bitter, Alphonsus learned to adapt and continue serving God in new ways. Though he could no longer roam the countryside preaching, he turned his energy to writing. In fact, during the time he was most immobilized by arthritis, he authored some of his most influential works, including theological treatises and beautiful prayers like the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. He also spent long hours in prayer, uniting his aches with Jesus’ sacrifice. Those around him were edified to see his patience; it’s said that although he underwent interior trials and even scruples, physically he rarely complained about the discomfort that contorted his body. After his death, the process for his canonization considered not only his miraculous intercessions but also the virtue he displayed in sickness. St. Alphonsus was canonized in 1839 and later declared patron saint of those suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, and related chronic pain because of the trials he endured.
Catholics with arthritis or any chronic pain condition often seek out St. Alphonsus as a sympathetic patron. How might one invoke him? A popular prayer is simply: “St. Alphonsus, you endured so much pain in your spine and joints in your final years. I ask you to pray for me in my own pain and infirmity. Help me to remain hopeful and useful, as you did, and if it be God’s will, may I find relief from my suffering.” Some might pray a novena to St. Alphonsus, especially leading up to his feast day on August 1. Because he is a Doctor of the Church, reading his writings can also be healing for the soul. For instance, a person bedridden with an autoimmune flare-up might read a page from his book “Uniformity with God’s Will,” finding comfort in its message of trusting God’s plan in all circumstances. Alphonsus emphasizes that even frustrating limitations can be spiritually fruitful when accepted with love. Many have taken that lesson to heart in their own battles with illness.
An example of his intercession: An elderly gentleman with severe osteoarthritis in his neck (a modern parallel to Alphonsus’s condition) was scheduled for a risky spinal surgery. He prayed daily to St. Alphonsus for guidance and healing. On the day of surgery, the doctors found that his neck had stabilized better than expected and decided a less invasive procedure would suffice. The recovery was smoother than anyone predicted. The man attributed this favorable outcome to St. Alphonsus’ prayers. Whether or not one labels it a miracle, the gentleman’s faith in the saint brought him great peace through the whole process. In another case, a young mother diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis feared she could no longer care for her children. She began wearing a St. Alphonsus medal and saying a short prayer each morning, asking for the strength to do her duties. Over time, she found that even on tougher days with pain, she had an inner resilience and could still be present to her family. She says St. Alphonsus taught her that usefulness in God’s eyes isn’t measured by physical prowess but by love and perseverance.
St. Alphonsus also showed that having a chronic illness does not mean one cannot achieve great things for God. Here was a man who, twisted and frail, could easily have resigned himself to despair. Yet he became even more fruitful, turning his sickroom into a “theological powerhouse” and a prayer chapel. For those who feel sidelined by autoimmune disease or chronic pain, Alphonsus is a reminder that God can still work through you in mighty ways. Your mission might change shape, but it isn’t over. Perhaps you can’t do what you did before, but you can pray, you can encourage others, you can write or call or offer hidden sacrifices that only God sees. St. Alphonsus would say none of that is wasted — in fact, it might be the holiest work of your life. So, the next time aching joints or fatigue keep you from going out, try asking St. Alphonsus to sit with you in spirit. Picture him bent over in his chair, rosary in hand, smiling gently and saying, “In your weakness, God’s strength is perfected.” St. Alphonsus Liguori, pray for all who suffer from chronic pain or arthritis, that they may find relief and meaning in Christ.
Saint Jude Thaddeus – Patron of Impossible Causes and Hope in Desperate Illness
For many patients and families, the journey through autoimmune disease can have moments of desperation — when treatments aren’t working, when pain is overwhelming, or when a cure seems out of reach. In those moments, countless Catholics have turned to St. Jude Thaddeus, known popularly as the patron saint of impossible causes and things almost despaired of. St. Jude was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, the betrayer). Little is recorded about Jude in the Bible apart from him being listed among the apostles and a brief dialogue at the Last Supper where he asks Jesus a question. However, tradition holds that after Pentecost, St. Jude traveled far and wide to preach the Gospel (some say as far as Mesopotamia or Persia) and eventually was martyred for the faith. He is also credited as the author of the short “Epistle of Jude” in the New Testament. How did he become the patron of hopeless causes? There’s a pious legend that because of his name’s similarity to “Judas,” early Christians were hesitant to ask for his intercession, fearing confusion. As a result, St. Jude supposedly became eager to help anyone who finally did pray to him, taking on the toughest cases to prove his devotion to Christ and the faithful. Whether or not one believes that backstory, what is certain is that over the past century, devotion to St. Jude has exploded around the world precisely because people have experienced powerful help after invoking him in dire situations.
St. Jude’s patronage is not limited to health crises, but severe illness is certainly one of the “impossible causes” where his intercession is sought. A chronic autoimmune disease can feel “impossible” because there’s rarely a quick fix; it may be something one lives with for life. Some conditions can even be life-threatening or lead to disability despite best efforts, which can bring a family to the brink of hopelessness. Turning to St. Jude in prayer is a way of saying, “God, I trust that you can do what is beyond human power. Please hear St. Jude’s prayers for a miracle, or at least for the strength and hope we need to carry on.” How do people express this devotion? Perhaps the most well-known method is the St. Jude Novena. This nine-day prayer, often prayed repeatedly for 54 days or continuously until answered, includes the heartfelt plea: “St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, come to my aid.” Many prayer cards and booklets guide the faithful through this novena with specific reflections each day. In parish settings, there are sometimes St. Jude Thaddeus novena services held weekly, where people gather to pray and hear testimonies of answered prayers. It’s also common to make a promise along with the novena — for example, pledging to publish a thank-you note or testimonial to St. Jude if the prayer is answered. This is why one often sees personal ads in newspapers or church bulletins saying, “Thank you St. Jude for favors received,” fulfilling that promise of spreading his honor.
An inspiring real-life story connected to St. Jude’s intercession is the founding of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. In the 1950s, a young struggling entertainer named Danny Thomas fervently prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus for help with his career and finances. He vowed that if his prayers were answered, he would do something significant in the saint’s name. As his career took off against all odds, Danny Thomas kept that promise. He established St. Jude Hospital in 1962, dedicated to treating children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, free of charge. He believed that St. Jude guided him to create a place of hope where things that once seemed “impossible” (like curing childhood leukemia) could become possible through research, compassion, and prayer. Today, St. Jude’s Hospital has helped increase survival rates for various childhood illnesses that were once virtual death sentences. The very existence of this hospital is like a standing testimony to the hope that St. Jude inspires in impossible situations.
On a personal level, there are many anecdotes of St. Jude’s help in health crises. For instance, a family dealing with a severe case of systemic lupus (an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs) felt at the end of their rope when the mother’s kidneys began failing. They started a St. Jude novena as a family. On the final day of the novena, they received news that a donor kidney had unexpectedly become available for transplant — far sooner than anticipated — giving their mother a second chance at life. They firmly believe St. Jude had a hand in this fortunate timing. Another example: A young man suffering from an autoimmune form of vertigo and hearing loss had been through numerous treatments with no success. In despair, he turned to St. Jude and said a simple prayer each day: “Saint Jude, friend of Jesus, I am helpless and afraid. Please pray for me.” Over the next weeks, his symptoms gradually lessened to the point that he could return to work and normal activities. His doctors were surprised at the improvement. While one might attribute it to a delayed response to treatment, this man has no doubt that the grace of God through St. Jude’s intercession played a role in restoring his equilibrium.
Devotion to St. Jude often brings not only external help but also internal peace. Many have said that once they place their “impossible” case in St. Jude’s hands (and thus in God’s hands), they feel a load lifted. The situation might still be serious, but they no longer feel alone or powerless. This is the true gift: the realization that with faith, there are no hopeless cases, because God is bigger than any disease or problem. St. Jude, as a martyr and apostle, directs us to trust in the Lord’s love even when miracles tarry. In Catholic churches around the world, statues of St. Jude often bear a flame above his head (sign of the Holy Spirit from Pentecost) and he holds an image of Jesus in his hand (symbol of carrying Christ to others). It’s a comforting sight for someone praying in a candlelit chapel for a miracle. It’s as if St. Jude stands there testifying: “Jesus sent me to preach hope to the ends of the earth. I am with you now, praying for you. Do not be afraid.”
For anyone battling an “impossible” illness or situation today, St. Jude offers companionship and intercession. He has seen it all in two thousand years of prayers brought to him. And as one old prayer says, “When all other avenues are closed, St. Jude, glorious apostle, is ready to assist.” Of course, the final outcome is in God’s hands, and sometimes the miracles we receive are different from what we envisioned. But through St. Jude’s encouragement, countless hearts have been uplifted to keep fighting, keep praying, and keep believing in God’s providence. St. Jude Thaddeus, patron of impossible causes, pray for us, especially in our most desperate needs!
Saint Rita of Cascia – Saint of the Impossible and Peacemaker in Suffering
In the litany of saints known for “impossible” causes, St. Rita of Cascia (1381–1457) stands alongside St. Jude as a powerful intercessor for those in desperate need. St. Rita’s life was filled with difficult, even “impossible” situations that through God’s grace were transformed. She is sometimes called the “Saint of the Impossible” because of the many obstacles she overcame in life and the miracles attributed to her intercession after death. While she is not specific to any one medical condition, people suffering from chronic illnesses or family crises often feel a connection to St. Rita, finding in her a heavenly advocate who truly understands hardship.
Rita was born in Umbria, Italy, and wanted to become a nun from a young age, but her parents arranged a marriage for her. She obediently married and endured a rough marriage to an angry and abusive husband. For nearly two decades she faced domestic violence and strife, but she responded with patience, prayer, and kindness that eventually won her husband over to a better disposition just before he tragically died in a feud. She also bore the sorrow of seeing her two sons die young (after she prayed they be prevented from taking revenge on their father’s killers). Left with no family, Rita sought entry to a convent. Initially turned away, miraculously she was later accepted despite the “impossibility” of a widow becoming a nun at that time. In the convent, Rita grew in holiness and in an astounding mystical experience, she received a partial stigmata: a wound on her forehead from a thorn of Christ’s crown, which remained with her for the last 15 years of her life. This wound was painful and emitted a foul odor, causing her to suffer both physically and socially (as she had to live apart from the community at times due to the wound). Yet Rita embraced this suffering, uniting it to Jesus’ passion and offering it for the world’s sins and the conversion of souls.
Why do those with illnesses relate to St. Rita? One reason is that Rita’s thorn wound is like a constant, chronic affliction — much as a long illness is. She experienced something that made her suffer daily and even made her feel isolated, yet she did not complain; she radiated peace and kindness. Moreover, because of the many trials in her life, she has empathy for people in desperate circumstances. After her death, numerous miracles were reported at her tomb. People with all manner of illness, including seemingly incurable conditions, claimed cures through her intercession. One famous example: for St. Rita’s beatification, the Church investigated the case of a man named Francesco in the early 1500s who had a grievous cancerous tumor in his throat. He was approaching death when he prayed at St. Rita’s tomb in Cascia. He experienced a sudden, complete healing of the tumor, which was deemed miraculous. This and other miracles led to her being declared a saint. Because of cases like Francesco’s, many with cancer and other severe diseases have sought St. Rita’s help over the centuries.
Catholics invoke St. Rita through prayer and devotions much like they do St. Jude. There is a popular Novena to St. Rita that highlights her title as Advocate of the Impossible. On each day of the novena, one might reflect on a different aspect of Rita’s life (her patience, her forgiveness of enemies, her fortitude in suffering, etc.) and ask for a particular grace. A typical prayer might say, “St. Rita, so humble, pure and patient, whose pleadings before your Divine Spouse are so effective that you are the patroness of desperate cases, come to my aid in this great need that I may receive consolation and help from heaven.” People often begin this novena leading up to her feast day on May 22, which in many parishes is celebrated with special Masses or the blessing of roses (roses are a symbol of St. Rita, recalling a miracle where she received roses and figs in winter as a sign of God’s love). In some churches, you’ll find a statue of St. Rita holding a crucifix and a bouquet of roses, with a distinct wound on her forehead. Devotees might light a candle by her statue and leave a small rose as a sign of their prayer, especially when praying for a loved one’s healing or for peace in a family crisis. It’s also common to wear a St. Rita medal or keep a prayer card. One moving tradition is that of the St. Rita rose: if someone receives a fresh rose unexpectedly during or after a novena to St. Rita, they take it as a sign that the prayer has been heard. This ties back to a promise attributed to Rita that she would send a rose from heaven to those who seek her help (much like St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “shower of roses” promise).
There are many testimonies of St. Rita’s intercession bringing healing or help. A mother whose child suffered from a severe autoimmune condition (causing the little girl’s skin to blister painfully) prayed constantly to St. Rita. She kept a first-class relic of St. Rita — a piece of the saint’s clothing — and would gently touch it to her daughter’s arms while praying for relief. The mother reports that on several occasions, flare-ups that should have landed her daughter in the hospital simply calmed down overnight. The child’s doctors were surprised at her resilience. The family firmly believes St. Rita obtained these small miracles of respite. Another account involves a man dealing with an “impossible” situation of conflict and stress at work, which was worsening his health. He prayed a St. Rita novena for peace. By the end of the novena, completely unexpectedly, the main source of conflict at his job was resolved — almost as if a thorn had been removed. He felt this saved not only his job but also his mental well-being.
Beyond physical aid, St. Rita is often credited with emotional and relational healing. Chronic illness can strain marriages, friendships, and one’s own mental health. Rita, who navigated a violent marriage and the loss of her sons, is a saint who mends hearts. Many couples on the brink of despair in their relationship have prayed to her and found the grace to forgive each other and carry on. Individuals wracked by anger or depression because of their illness have asked for Rita’s intercession and found a renewed sense of calm acceptance. Her example teaches the power of forgiveness and trust in God’s plan, even when life wounds us deeply. She knew that Christ could bring resurrection out of every crucifixion she faced.
In essence, St. Rita’s life proclaims that God can make a way where there seems to be no way. To anyone grappling with an “impossible” problem — be it a stubborn illness, a family estrangement, or any personal agony — St. Rita offers hope. She encourages us not to give up on God’s goodness. Perhaps no words capture her spirit better than those Jesus spoke: “What is impossible for man is possible for God.” By praying with St. Rita, we place our seemingly hopeless situations into the hands of the God of the impossible. And we open ourselves to outcomes we never imagined, whether that be a miraculous cure, a subtle improvement, or the invaluable miracle of inner peace. St. Rita of Cascia, patroness of the impossible, pray for us, that we may trust in God’s providence in every trial.
Saint Charbel Makhlouf – A Modern Saint of Miraculous Healing (Bridge Between East and West)
In modern times, one saint in particular has captured the world’s attention for astonishing healing miracles across every kind of illness: St. Charbel Makhlouf (sometimes spelled Sharbel) of Lebanon. St. Charbel (1828–1898) was a Maronite Catholic monk and priest who lived a life of intense prayer, poverty, and solitude in a hermitage in the mountains of Lebanon. During his life he was not widely known outside his region, and he spent his days in obscurity, tending his hermitage’s chapel and small farm, lost in God. But after his death on Christmas Eve 1898, extraordinary signs began to occur which revealed God’s special favor on this humble monk. Miraculous healings, in particular, have been associated with Charbel’s intercession to such a degree that he is often called “the Wonder-Worker of the Middle East.” As a Maronite, St. Charbel was an Eastern Catholic – his spirituality and liturgical tradition have strong roots in Eastern Christianity (similar to the Orthodox tradition). He is, in a way, a bridge between East and West, and he is venerated not only by Catholics but also by many Orthodox Christians and even admired by Muslims in his homeland. His gift of healing knows no bounds of geography or religion; it’s a testament to God’s mercy for all people.
Shortly after Charbel was buried, mysterious lights were seen around his grave. When his body was exhumed years later, it was found incorrupt (not decayed) and seeping a fragrant oil. News spread, and people from all communities began visiting his tomb to seek favors. Over the decades, there have been an astonishing number of miracles attributed to Charbel’s intercession – the monastery overseeing his shrine has officially recorded over 29,000 such miracles since the 1950s (and many more unofficially). These include cures from cancers, blindness, paralysis, and yes, numerous chronic and autoimmune diseases as well. For example, there are documented cases of people with conditions like multiple sclerosis, congenital immune disorders, and other long-term illnesses who experienced unexplainable healings after praying to St. Charbel or being anointed with oil from the lamp that burns at his tomb. One recent well-publicized miracle was that of Nohad El Shami, a paralyzed woman who in 1993 dreamt of two monks performing surgery on her neck – one of them identified as St. Charbel. She awoke healed and even bore surgical incision marks on her neck, though no doctor had touched her. Another story from 2016 involves an American deacon with a debilitating bone disease who visited Charbel’s tomb and walked away without pain, crediting the saint for his recovery. Such stories have made Charbel a beacon of hope for people suffering from “impossible” maladies all around the world.
Catholics (and others) invoke St. Charbel in various ways. Many obtain a small bottle of blessed St. Charbel oil (oil that burns near his tomb and is later distributed) and anoint their sick loved ones or themselves with it while praying. A common prayer is: “St. Charbel, holy monk and healer, intercede for me (or name of the sick person) and obtain from Jesus the Lord a complete healing of mind and body, if it be for God’s glory.” Because St. Charbel’s feast day is July 24, there may be special prayer services or Masses around that time in communities devoted to him. In Lebanon, the 22nd of each month has become a mini-pilgrimage day, recalling the date of a major miracle attributed to him; people attend Mass, pray the rosary, and ask for miracles on that day through Charbel’s intercession. Even those who cannot travel to his actual tomb can create a little shrine at home with his picture or a statue and a candle, symbolically joining in the prayer. He is often depicted in icons as a bearded monk with a black cowl, eyes cast down in prayer. Despite his stern ascetic appearance, people often describe feeling a deep peace when they look at his image — as if the tranquility of his soul radiates outward.
One remarkable aspect of St. Charbel’s intercessory power is how it transcends divisions. In the Middle East, Christians of various churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian, etc.) all flock to him. Even Muslims, who obviously do not formally “canonize” saints, have shown great respect for Charbel; some have reported dreams of him or healings after visiting his shrine. This makes Charbel a unique figure of unity. He shows that God’s love and healing are not confined by our human labels. For someone with a chronic illness, this universality is comforting: you know that across the globe, others are also praying to St. Charbel for situations as serious as yours, and miracles are happening. It creates a sense of solidarity and renewed faith.
Let’s consider a specific case related to autoimmune disease. A 45-year-old Italian woman had been suffering from a debilitating neurological disorder that doctors struggled to definitively diagnose (it had features of an autoimmune disease attacking her nervous system). Her condition led to depression, and tragically, she attempted suicide by ingesting corrosive acid, which severely damaged her throat and stomach. In the hospital, things looked grim — not only was her illness progressing, but now her digestive tract injuries were life-threatening and barely manageable by surgery. In this dire situation, her family began a prayer chain to St. Charbel, applying his holy oil on her body. According to a report from the monastery, the woman experienced a sudden and complete healing. Her damaged esophagus and stomach were restored, shocking the medical staff, and her underlying neurological disease also went into remission. This was investigated and documented as one of the miracles through Charbel’s intercession in late 2018. It’s a dramatic example that with God, no situation is beyond rescue.
Even when a physical cure does not occur, many testify to what we might call spiritual healing through St. Charbel’s intercession. People describe how, after praying to St. Charbel, they received the grace to accept their condition with peace, or they reconciled with estranged family members, or found new purpose in life despite illness. One man with a lifelong autoimmune disorder said that after he learned about St. Charbel’s story of humility, he decided to surrender his pride and ask forgiveness from people he had pushed away during his illness. “That reconciliation was my miracle,” he said. “My body is still weak, but my heart is lighter and my family is around me again.” It is as if St. Charbel, who lived in quiet communion with God, helps people today to achieve an inner communion and healing that might be even more significant than the physical.
To pray to St. Charbel is to be reminded that holiness can hide in the most remote and quiet places — like a hermitage in Lebanon or the sickbed of a patient. His life of discipline and faith brought him so close to God that now God works mighty deeds through his prayers. For anyone carrying the cross of an autoimmune disease or any chronic ailment, St. Charbel offers both consolation and a challenge. The consolation is that he is tirelessly interceding and that miracles do happen; the challenge is that he invites us, too, to draw nearer to God through our own trials. Charbel fasted, prayed, and lived in simplicity out of love for Jesus. While we may not be called to his extreme asceticism, in our illness we can practice patience, prayer, and simplicity in our own way, thereby tapping into a source of spiritual strength that sustains us.
St. Charbel’s example also strengthens our bond with the Eastern traditions of our Catholic faith. As a Maronite, he celebrated the liturgy in Syriac, an ancient form of Aramaic close to what Jesus spoke. He had a great devotion to the Eucharist (in fact, he collapsed from a stroke while saying Mass) and to the Blessed Mother. In invoking Charbel, we are also connecting with that rich heritage of Eastern Christian spirituality, which can enrich our experience of suffering and prayer. The incense, the chants, the deep contemplation practiced by Charbel can inspire us to find moments of stillness and surrender in our own routine, even if it’s the quiet of a hospital room at night.
In summary, St. Charbel Makhlouf is a magnificent gift to the suffering Church of today. He shows that God’s healing power is alive and well in our modern age. If you or a loved one are sick, especially with a condition doctors find hard to treat, you might take recourse to this holy hermit. Ask him to “take your petition” and lay it before Jesus. And trust, as Father Louis Matar of the Charbel shrine often says, “Nothing is impossible for St. Charbel’s intercession, because nothing is impossible for God.” Whether a cure comes or not, you can be sure that through St. Charbel’s prayers, God will give you the grace you need. St. Charbel, wonder-worker and beloved friend of all who suffer, pray for us.
Faith, Sacraments, and the Communion of Saints in the Journey of Healing
Living with an autoimmune disease or any chronic illness can truly feel like a long and winding journey — filled with ups and downs, hope and discouragement, strength and vulnerability. Through it all, the Catholic Church, in her wisdom, does not abandon us but rather equips us with spiritual helps for every step of the path. In this reflection, we have considered the examples of several saints and holy figures: the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Juliana Falconieri, St. Lidwina of Schiedam, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Rita of Cascia, and St. Charbel Makhlouf. Each of these stands out in our tradition as a beacon of hope for the sick and suffering:
Mary, our Mother, who consoles the afflicted and gently leads us to Jesus, reminding us that God’s mercy can heal both body and soul.
St. Juliana, who teaches us that the Eucharistic Lord will sustain us when physical food or strength fails, and who shows that chronic illness can be borne with grace.
St. Lidwina, who proves that even a bedridden life can shine with God’s light and that perseverance in pain can have great spiritual power.
St. Alphonsus, who illustrates that our productive life isn’t over when illness strikes — it may just be changing form, and that we can find new ways to serve God and others despite limitations.
St. Jude, who instills in us a stubborn hope, encouraging us to trust God for the impossible and never to give up in prayer.
St. Rita, who models forgiveness, peace, and the belief that God can bring good out of the worst situations; she empathizes with those who feel trapped by circumstances.
St. Charbel, who reassures us that miracles still happen, that holiness is alive today, and that God’s love transcends all human divisions to touch anyone in need.
These saints, and indeed all the Communion of Saints, are not distant historical figures — they are living members of Christ’s mystical Body. They walk with us. They care about us. When we are too tired or sick to pray, they pray with us and for us. In turning to them, we do not substitute their role for God’s, but rather we amplify our prayers through the unity of the Church. It’s as if we’re saying, “I’m weak, but my older brother Jude is here to help lift my prayer; my sister Rita will intercede alongside me; my mother Mary will carry my tears to Jesus.” This is the beauty of our Catholic family.
It’s also important to remember the sacraments and sacramentals the Church offers to those who are ill. The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament that shouldn’t be feared or delayed until one is at death’s door. It is a channel of grace for the sick at any stage of serious illness. Through the holy oil and prayers of the priest, Jesus strengthens the soul (and sometimes the body) of the one anointed. Many have experienced a tangible peace after anointing, and some even recover physically in ways that astonish their doctors. If you face surgery or a significant turn in your illness, do not hesitate to ask for this sacrament. Similarly, Confession brings spiritual healing; carrying the weight of sins or guilt can worsen our emotional state, whereas receiving God’s forgiveness lightens our heart and can even aid in coping with physical pain. And of course, the Holy Eucharist — whether received at Mass or brought to your home or hospital bed by an Extraordinary Minister — is the bread of life that nourishes us for the struggle. It unites us most intimately with Jesus, who knows suffering from the inside out. Some refer to Holy Communion (especially when received devoutly and frequently) as “the medicine of immortality.” How beautiful to think that Jesus gives us His own life as a remedy that eventually will lead us to eternal life, where suffering is no more.
The saints we discussed all point us back to these sources of grace. They were people of the sacraments and prayer. In their own times of trial, they clung to Christ through these channels. We are invited to do the same. For example, when praying to St. Juliana or St. Charbel, we might also spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, because that’s what strengthened them. When invoking St. Alphonsus or St. Rita, we might also meditate on Scripture or offer an act of spiritual communion, aligning our will with God’s, as they did.
Another aspect to highlight is the role of the Christian community – the living saints around us, so to speak. Just as we ask the saints in heaven to pray, we should lean on the support of fellow believers on earth. Sometimes God’s answer to a prayer for help is the friend who shows up with a meal, or the parishioner who offers to drive you to the clinic, or the nurse who goes the extra mile to show compassion. These are not coincidences; they are manifestations of God’s providence and the Communion of Saints in action. If you are sick, know that you are not a burden to the Church – you are a treasured member whose prayers and witness of faith amid suffering can edify others. And if you are caring for someone ill, know that in doing so, you are serving Christ Himself (as He said, “I was sick and you visited me”). The saints in heaven rejoice to see such love and often obtain special graces for those engaged in works of mercy.
It’s true that not every prayer for physical healing is answered in the way we would like. Some dear souls carry their cross to the end and unite with Jesus in a holy death rather than an earthly cure. We must remember that for Christians, death is not the ultimate defeat; rather, it’s the gateway to the fullness of life with God. The saints constantly remind us to keep an eternal perspective. St. Lidwina, in her visions, saw the glory awaiting the faithful after a life of suffering — this gave her courage not to lose faith. St. Jude and St. Rita remind us that while miracles do happen, the greatest miracle is a soul that trusts God completely. St. Charbel’s life of obscurity reminds us that this world is not our final home; we’re pilgrims passing through, and our trials can purify us for heaven. In the end, the promise held out to us is the same that St. Paul wrote of: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Every tear, every hospital bed, every medicine that tastes bitter now — all will be transformed in the light of Christ’s resurrection.
So, as we conclude, if you or someone you love is dealing with an autoimmune disease or any chronic illness, take heart. The road may be long and the night may seem dark, but dawn will come, and you are never walking alone. Alongside the skilled doctors and medications (gifts of God’s wisdom), you have divine assistance at every moment. Jesus, the Divine Physician, walks with you, often silently but ever faithfully. Mary, His Mother and ours, cradles you in her prayers. The saints – Juliana, Lidwina, Alphonsus, Jude, Rita, Charbel, and countless others – surround you like a great cloud of witnesses, cheering you on, obtaining little encouragements and big miracles as needed. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, dwells in you, giving you resilience and consolation that the world cannot give. And the Father holds you in the palm of His hand, working all things (even sickness) into a plan for your ultimate good.
Use the gifts of the Church: pray, even if just a simple “Help me, Jesus” in the morning; receive the sacraments; let others pray for you and with you. And do not be afraid to expect miracles. Sometimes God wills to show His power plainly, and other times He wills to show His power interiorly — either way, it is His power at work. A heart at peace in suffering is as great a testimony as a body made whole; both glorify God.
In honor of all these holy helpers we’ve discussed, let us end with a prayer:
O God of love and mercy, in Your saints You give us lasting signs of Your presence and care. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Juliana Falconieri, St. Lidwina of Schiedam, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Charbel Makhlouf, and all the saints, grant healing and hope to those who suffer from autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses. Strengthen their faith and patience, relieve their pains if it be Your will, and help them always to trust in Your fatherly plan. May they know that You are with them in every trial, and that the Communion of Saints is supporting them from beside and above. In all things, Thy holy will be done. Amen.
