Family and friends of a two-year-old boy suffering from severe cancer
are seeking a miracle through the intercession of Bl. Mother Teresa of
Calcutta.
They believe the child has seen an apparition of her and two
angels.
Joseph “JoeJoe” Wahlin is the seventh child of Chad and Kim Wahlin,
who are stationed at the U.S. naval base in Naples. On March 2 doctors
discovered that the toddler has category four cancer.
“Without a miracle, and barring a misdiagnosis, he may not have long
to live,” reported Fr. Mark Withoos, a friend of the boy’s parents.
But the parents have seen signs for hope.
Chad Wahlin told Fr. Withoos that one afternoon he was lying in bed with his two-and-a-half year-old son.
“Joe looked past the foot of the bed and told me ‘Mommy's grandma is
there’,” the father said. The boy had only seen photos of the woman.
“Kim's grandmother looked exactly like Mother Teresa,” Wahlin wrote.
Joseph also said he saw “angels” at his hospital room in Naples.
His father had been crying at his sleeping son’s bedside when Joseph awoke and asked him why he was crying.
“Don’t you see the two angels standing next to the bed? They are bewdiful,” the boy said.
He told his father the angels said to him they would be back.
Joseph has returned to the United States and has undergone surgery
and chemotherapy. He and his parents are presently at Walter Reed
Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Sisters from the Missionaries of Charity have been frequently
visiting Joseph and have brought a relic of Bl. Mother Teresa. They
placed it on the boy while praying for him.
“Joe was perky and silly while there were there and enjoyed playing
with a balloon with them,” reported Fr. Withoos, who is telling Joseph’s
story in several e-mails requesting prayers for a miracle.
Joseph presently has tumors above his kidneys, in his spinal area, in
the lower part of his lungs and in his skull. Tests show he has bone
marrow disease and he will need marrow rejuvenation, though his white
cell and platelet counts remain normal.
He is in “good spirits.”
He can turn himself in bed and push himself
up without pain because the chemotherapy has reduced the size of the
tumors pressing on his nerves.
“The family and many around the world are asking Mother Teresa for a
miracle,” Fr. Withoos said.
“Perhaps she has already visited, based on
the story above. Maybe she was ready to accompany JoeJoe to his eternal
home.
“We will pray nonetheless for a miracle, because if we don't ask,
miracles won't happen. Our World needs miracles sometimes. But in the
end, the Lord's will be done!”
The family is asking that prayers for a miracle cure be directed
specifically to Mother Teresa to help advance her cause for
canonization.
The religious woman of Calcutta needs one more recognized
miracle to be declared a saint of the Catholic Church.
In a March 10 e-mail, Chad Wahlin told CNA his son is visibly better.
The family is on day five of a novena to Bl. Mother Teresa.
“We are praying fervently and are thankful for your prayers,” he
continued.
“Bl. Mother Teresa, we ask your intercession for full and
miraculous restoration of JoeJoe's health. Please let JoeJoe be the
second miracle.”