Pope Greets Mother and Son at Canonization
SÃO PAULO, Brazil, MAY 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI greeted the Brazilian woman who attributes the birth of her son to the intercession of Blessed Antônio de Sant'Anna Galvão.
Sandra Grossi de Almeida, 37, and her son Enzo, 8, were present today as the Pope canonized the priest. Enzo also received his first Communion from the Holy Father.
More than 1 million people attended the open-air Mass on the airfield of Campo de Marte Airport in São Paulo.
The woman gave birth to her son in 1999 after having taken "Father Galvão's pills," tiny rice-paper pills prepared by Sisters of the Monastery of Light. Each pill, taken by people seeking cures for their illnesses, is inscribed with a prayer.
Grossi de Almeida had a uterine malformation that should have made it impossible for her to carry a child for more than four months.
Her case was recognized as "scientifically inexplicable" by the team of medical experts on Jan. 18, 2006, during the process of canonization of Father Galvão (1739-1822).
Grossi de Almeida said before her encounter with the Benedict XVI: "I believe that I will be so excited that I will just barely be able to thank him for approving the canonization of Father Galvão here in Brazil, a gift for me and all Brazilians."
Before becoming pregnant with Enzo, she had suffered three miscarriages from a genetic problem known as a bicornuate uterus -- also known as a heart-shaped uterus.
Faith
"Gynecologists told me to be realistic; that they would do everything medically possible to help me but they told me I would most likely miscarry again," said Grossi de Almeida in the official Web page of the Pope's visit to Brazil.
It was then that a family friend spoke to the expectant mother of Father Galvão's pills, which she decided to take.
Grossi de Almeida said that the hemorrhaging stopped on the first night of the novena: "That was a sign that I could believe in the power of Father Galvão even more, and in his intercession."
In the fifth month of pregnancy the doctors said that the baby was too big, and that she was at risk for a miscarriage. "It was then that I prayed again to Father Galvão," she recalled.
The doctors performed a Caesarean section at 32 weeks of pregnancy without any complications. "The doctors said it was impossible, but not for God," she said.
Enzo suffered from a serious lung problem at birth, a common cause of death for premature babies, but after his mother prayed again to Father Galvão, the baby was taken off the respirator the next day.
Asked about Father Galvão, Enzo said: "It is thanks to him that I was born."
Code: ZE07051103
Date: 2007-05-11