This powerful story of Divine Mercy is from the book, AmazingGrace for the Catholic Heart
I watched as many poor people walked about in tattered clothing;
visiting, eating tacos…and smiling.
“What do they have to be so happy about?” I wondered.
I was attending a medical conference in Mexico City in 1991 and had
taken time out to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image of our
Blessed Mother on the 500-year-old cactus fibers of a peasant’s tilma is truly
amazing. But it was the crowd milling
around outside the shrine that captured my attention. I could not understand
why I, a successful physician with a prestigious medical practice in Florida,
should find happiness so elusive while joy radiated off these poor peasants?
visiting, eating tacos…and smiling.
“What do they have to be so happy about?” I wondered.
I was attending a medical conference in Mexico City in 1991 and had
taken time out to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image of our
Blessed Mother on the 500-year-old cactus fibers of a peasant’s tilma is truly
amazing. But it was the crowd milling
around outside the shrine that captured my attention. I could not understand
why I, a successful physician with a prestigious medical practice in Florida,
should find happiness so elusive while joy radiated off these poor peasants?
I had it all, and yet I had nothing. In spite of money, status,
material
material
possessions and a beautiful family, personal satisfaction eluded
me. The
me. The
fact that I had a wonderful wife and three children and was a
Catholic since
Catholic since
birth, should have been my compass in life. Instead, I was on a
course for
course for
disaster. Trapped in a
lifestyle of women, materialism and workaholism, I
lifestyle of women, materialism and workaholism, I
was sinking fast. There’s a saying: “Your sin will find you out,” and
thankfully, mine did.
Although I did not feel that way at the time, by
Although I did not feel that way at the time, by
being confronted with my affairs, the last shreds of my life began
to
to
unravel. Looking back, I
can see I was not thinking straight. My
twisted
can see I was not thinking straight. My
twisted
life needed to unravel before I could begin again to be straight
with my
with my
family and with God.
Rock Bottom
When I hit rock bottom, I was anxious and depressed, wondering how
I ever could rebuild my life with who I was.
How could Susan and I start to build a new relationship on the rubble of
my past? It was at this time that a
friend sent me literature on the devotion of Divine Mercy. The pamphlet explained that the Polish nun,
Saint Faustina, canonized in 2000 and the first saint of the new millennium,
had written a diary in which she recorded her mystical experiences — in
particular Jesus Christ’s desire that the world accept His unfathomable
mercy. As I read: “”The greater
the sinner, the greater the right he has to my Mercy,” (Diary of St.
Faustina, 723).” I was overcome with remorse and gratitude. Tears of sorrow
flowed like a river as if expelling the pus of my wounds of sin. I read the words again and again realizing
that in the depths of sin, there was help–even for me.
I ever could rebuild my life with who I was.
How could Susan and I start to build a new relationship on the rubble of
my past? It was at this time that a
friend sent me literature on the devotion of Divine Mercy. The pamphlet explained that the Polish nun,
Saint Faustina, canonized in 2000 and the first saint of the new millennium,
had written a diary in which she recorded her mystical experiences — in
particular Jesus Christ’s desire that the world accept His unfathomable
mercy. As I read: “”The greater
the sinner, the greater the right he has to my Mercy,” (Diary of St.
Faustina, 723).” I was overcome with remorse and gratitude. Tears of sorrow
flowed like a river as if expelling the pus of my wounds of sin. I read the words again and again realizing
that in the depths of sin, there was help–even for me.
Christ’s Divine Mercy became a life jacket that kept me afloat and
kept me
kept me
from drowning in a sea of misery. Later that year, in 1992, Susan
and I went
and I went
to counseling and slowly, through God’s grace, began constructing
a solid marriage. We both became part of
the Divine Mercy ministry; sharing our own story, as well as educating people
on Divine Mercy and the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
a solid marriage. We both became part of
the Divine Mercy ministry; sharing our own story, as well as educating people
on Divine Mercy and the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Initially, I balanced my medical practice with volunteering in the
ministry,
ministry,
but over the next five
years, I felt called to leave medicine behind.
I
years, I felt called to leave medicine behind.
I
cried the day I wrote a letter to the medical board giving up my
license to
license to
practice medicine. But in
my heart, I fully believed God was calling me out of one healing ministry to
another; from the physical to the spiritual.
Although it meant making big changes in our lifestyle, Susan and I
decided we could manage by living off our savings. It was a new path in our
walk down the road of life. I knew we needed to fully trust in God.
my heart, I fully believed God was calling me out of one healing ministry to
another; from the physical to the spiritual.
Although it meant making big changes in our lifestyle, Susan and I
decided we could manage by living off our savings. It was a new path in our
walk down the road of life. I knew we needed to fully trust in God.
Trusting In God’s Mercy
On September 9, 1995, the fruits of our healed marriage was
born–John Paul. He was special from the start.
At his birth, he struggled with life; turning blue and unable to breathe. We prayed intently and John Paul soon stabilized and fully rebounded.
A friend distributing Holy Communion walked into the room and said: “”Wow, what happened? I can really
feel the presence of God.””
born–John Paul. He was special from the start.
At his birth, he struggled with life; turning blue and unable to breathe. We prayed intently and John Paul soon stabilized and fully rebounded.
A friend distributing Holy Communion walked into the room and said: “”Wow, what happened? I can really
feel the presence of God.””
I understood in my heart how God had truly blessed us. My three
oldest,
oldest,
Andrea thirteen, Bryan eleven, and Patricia, eight, did not always
fully understand the changes of going from being doctor’s kids to children of
one dedicated to simple life of service to God.
And yet they surely benefited from the renewal of our marriage and my
commitment to fatherhood as a holy vocation.
fully understand the changes of going from being doctor’s kids to children of
one dedicated to simple life of service to God.
And yet they surely benefited from the renewal of our marriage and my
commitment to fatherhood as a holy vocation.
In early November, fourteen months later, I returned home from a
conference in the early hours morning. That evening a Mass was going to be celebrated in our home. In spite of very little sleep, I awoke
early to take care of some of the outside work.
I stepped onto our back patio, opened the gate to our swimming pool and
walked out to the backyard. Young Bryan
suddenly yelled from the front for help starting the lawn mower. After helping him, I was reminded that it was
time to drive Andrea to swim practice.
We jumped in the car with Patricia and hurried off.
conference in the early hours morning. That evening a Mass was going to be celebrated in our home. In spite of very little sleep, I awoke
early to take care of some of the outside work.
I stepped onto our back patio, opened the gate to our swimming pool and
walked out to the backyard. Young Bryan
suddenly yelled from the front for help starting the lawn mower. After helping him, I was reminded that it was
time to drive Andrea to swim practice.
We jumped in the car with Patricia and hurried off.
While on our way, I received a call on my cell phone from Bryan.
“Dad,” he said in a strained voice,
“John Paul is dead. Someone left
the pool gate open.” Susan had found John Paul lifeless; he was not breathing and did
not have a palpable heart beat. As a
trained nurse, she was already administering CPR in an effort to pump life back
into John Paul’s little fourteen-month-old body.
“Dad,” he said in a strained voice,
“John Paul is dead. Someone left
the pool gate open.” Susan had found John Paul lifeless; he was not breathing and did
not have a palpable heart beat. As a
trained nurse, she was already administering CPR in an effort to pump life back
into John Paul’s little fourteen-month-old body.
I told the girls what had happened and we immediately said a Hail
Mary together. The rest of the
drive was spent in tears and silent prayers. “Jesus, have mercy on John Paul and me,” I cried. Guilt overwhelmed me as I envisioned my helpless little boy bobbing up and down in the pool,
all
Mary together. The rest of the
drive was spent in tears and silent prayers. “Jesus, have mercy on John Paul and me,” I cried. Guilt overwhelmed me as I envisioned my helpless little boy bobbing up and down in the pool,
all
because I left the gate open.
John Paul had been a part of my healing–a child of promise for Susan and me.
“Jesus, why would You take him from us now?” my heart cried.
John Paul had been a part of my healing–a child of promise for Susan and me.
“Jesus, why would You take him from us now?” my heart cried.
Then, as I frantically had to wait at a red light, I was suddenly
hit with the scripture story from Genesis of Abraham being asked to offer
his son, Isaac, up to God. “God, are you asking me for my son?” I asked, my
heart breaking. It was the moment of
truth for me. I had been preaching trust
in God’s Divine Mercy for four years.
This is where the rubber hit the road.
God was calling me to a deeper trust.
I wanted my little boy to live. I
loved him with all my heart. Could I
accept God’s will if it meant never holding John Paul again in this life?
hit with the scripture story from Genesis of Abraham being asked to offer
his son, Isaac, up to God. “God, are you asking me for my son?” I asked, my
heart breaking. It was the moment of
truth for me. I had been preaching trust
in God’s Divine Mercy for four years.
This is where the rubber hit the road.
God was calling me to a deeper trust.
I wanted my little boy to live. I
loved him with all my heart. Could I
accept God’s will if it meant never holding John Paul again in this life?
“Jesus,” I prayed. “I trust
in You, in all situations. I submit to
Your will, whatever that means.”
I told God that I did not understand why He would take John Paul from us at this time, but that I offered my
son back to Him. I also thanked God for the time He had given us with John
Paul. I told Jesus that I placed my trust in Him and wanted only that His will
be done. I reflected on the deep trust of Abraham as he was told to sacrifice
his son, Isaac. I felt a deep sense of peace after that.
in You, in all situations. I submit to
Your will, whatever that means.”
I told God that I did not understand why He would take John Paul from us at this time, but that I offered my
son back to Him. I also thanked God for the time He had given us with John
Paul. I told Jesus that I placed my trust in Him and wanted only that His will
be done. I reflected on the deep trust of Abraham as he was told to sacrifice
his son, Isaac. I felt a deep sense of peace after that.
When we arrived at the house, the emergency squad had also just
gotten there. Although John Paul was
bloated and unresponsive, Susan felt a slight pulse after doing CPR. I was ecstatic! There was still hope! Upon arriving at the hospital, I called my
sister who lives in another town and asked her to pray for John Paul that night
with her prayer group. Over the next thirty-six hours, John Paul’s mental
clarity improved hourly. Within two days, he was released, totally normal!
gotten there. Although John Paul was
bloated and unresponsive, Susan felt a slight pulse after doing CPR. I was ecstatic! There was still hope! Upon arriving at the hospital, I called my
sister who lives in another town and asked her to pray for John Paul that night
with her prayer group. Over the next thirty-six hours, John Paul’s mental
clarity improved hourly. Within two days, he was released, totally normal!
I saw my sister a couple of weeks later as she drove up to join
our family
our family
for Thanksgiving. She said to me, “I never told you this
story. But the
story. But the
morning following our prayer group, my friend, Irma, called and
said that
said that
she knew John Paul was going to recover. While praying in the
morning, she
morning, she
had a vision of Abraham offering Isaac back to God the Father.
Then
Then
Jesus, The Divine Mercy, stepped in the middle and gave him
back.” Tears
back.” Tears
streamed down my cheeks, and I said to her, “Well, let me
tell you the rest
tell you the rest
of the story….”
I’m happy to report that John Paul, our child of the promise, is
now a
now a
typical, healthy seven-year-old boy. And the rest of the story is
really that I
really that I
have never been the same since that lesson in trusting Jesus. In
fact,
fact,
“Divine Mercy as a Way of Life” sums up the mission of Eucharistic Apostles
of the Divine Mercy
of the Divine Mercy
 |
| Dr. Bryan Thatcher |
(EADM), the lay outreach ministry that I
founded in 1996 — the same year that I almost lost my son.
founded in 1996 — the same year that I almost lost my son.
Bryan
S. Thatcher, MD and his wife Susan eventually expanded their family to include 7 children. Clare Therese was born in December 2006; Susan was 50 years old at the time. Bryan says: “I thank God for giving me the strength to persevere and continue in times of trial. Though the times were difficult, they were times of even greater joy. I believe this understanding came as a result of the Divine Mercy message.”
S. Thatcher, MD and his wife Susan eventually expanded their family to include 7 children. Clare Therese was born in December 2006; Susan was 50 years old at the time. Bryan says: “I thank God for giving me the strength to persevere and continue in times of trial. Though the times were difficult, they were times of even greater joy. I believe this understanding came as a result of the Divine Mercy message.”
Bryan is the founder and director of
Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy.
This ministry, active in 16 countries, is dedicated to serving the poor,
spreading the message of Divine Mercy, and educating people on the true
presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Visit http://thedivinemercy.org for
more information on Divine Mercy.
Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy.
This ministry, active in 16 countries, is dedicated to serving the poor,
spreading the message of Divine Mercy, and educating people on the true
presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Visit http://thedivinemercy.org for
more information on Divine Mercy.
