The Divine Physician
About 20 years ago, my life was a mess – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. I was filled with guilt and unforgiveness due to a tragic car accident I was involved with that killed an innocent little girl. I couldn’t forgive myself and couldn’t imagine God forgiving me either. I didn’t feel worthy of God’s love. I tried to fake it that I was fine, but I seemed to self-sabotage anything good in my life. I didn’t deserve to be happy.
I injured my neck in the wreck and struggled with it for years. After two major surgeries, I was left with no feeling or reflexes in my left arm or hand and had excruciating pain shooting down my back. The pain was so intense that at times it totally consumed my every thought. After baffling most doctors within three hours of here, I ended up at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., going through every test possible. They diagnosed me with Chronic Pain Syndrome. They told me the pain I was experiencing was topping the charts; but other than sending me through their pain management clinic, there was nothing they could do to help my situation. My future looked very grim!
After years of major suffering, someone asked me to go with them to a Special Healing Mass and Conference in Dale featuring a visiting priest, Father John Judie. I had tried everything else under the sun and thought maybe God might have a little mercy on me. This was the start of my conversion back to my Catholic Faith. Father John talked about God’s amazing love and mercy. I thought maybe God could forgive me. I went to Confession for the first time since before the wreck. I poured my heart out to the priest and told him everything. He told me that God still loved me and had forgiven me but I had to choose to forgive myself. Even if I didn’t feel worthy, I had to make the choice to forgive myself. He also told me that I needed to trust that God was a merciful Father, and Jesus died to forgive my sins. He gave me the absolution and told me to “go in peace.”
I know that the Holy Spirit was able to work with me in a new way after this. I started to understand that God had a better plan for me, and I knew what I had to do. I made the choice to forgive myself and asked God to help me from there.
Later, while we were praying, I felt a hot ball of fire well up in my neck. It went down my right arm and out my fingers. Within minutes I gained back all my feeling and reflexes, and the pain was completely gone. But even more important was the spiritual healing I received that day. The guilt, unforgiveness and unworthiness were also gone.
“O Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help and you healed me” (Psalm 30: 3).
“Daughter, your sins are forgiven; your Faith has saved you, go in peace” (Luke 8 48-50).
The Evansville Renewal of the Spirit is sponsoring Special Healing Mass at St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg on February 17. Praise and Worship will begin at 3:30 p.m. EST, with Mass at 4 p.m. EST. Father John Judie will be back in the area as the Celebrant. Individual prayer will be offered after Mass.
There will also be an optional retreat before the Mass. The “Come, Holy Spirit” retreat is a free event from Noon EST until 3 p.m. EST in the St. Mary Parish Activities Center at St. Mary’s. All are welcome and encouraged to attend either or both events.
For more information call or text 812-639-5342.
About Father John Judie
Father John Judie is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky. He graduated from Saint Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md., with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree and a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 1, 1987.
Father Judie’s ministry has taken him across the United States, and to Mexico, Europe and East Africa. He has served as minister of music in various churches, has developed and directed choirs and has worked with individual vocalists for more than 30 years.
Following a six-month sabbatical in East Africa (in 1994), Father Judie established "Father John Judie Ministries, Inc.," a nonprofit organization that provides assistance of various types for our brothers and sisters.
Since his retirement, Father Judie spends time in Africa and the U.S. working with his nonprofit.
